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Harper has the grace to look chagrined when I call her out on how much time she’s been spending with my ex. I know they’re hanging out at the ball games. That’s not such a big deal. But Ryle mentioned something one day about Harper being at the house all the time. I have no doubt he’s exaggerating, but there has to be something to base that on.
“Did you know Dani’s pregnant?”
Dani is Julie’s best friend. I used to know her and Eric, her husband, well. I haven’t talked to either of them in years.
“No.”
Harper nods as she pops a grape into her mouth.
“Did you know Eric’s cousin is moving to Bassett?”
“What?”
Did Julie tell me that? She said Dani wanted to set them up that weekend a while back, when we first got Ryle signed up for tee-ball. But I’m pretty sure she didn’t mention anything about Jerad moving to Bassett.
“And since Dani and Eric are now going to be out of the social network for a while, they’re all going to Florida together.”
“All—what—?”
Harper meets my eyes and shrugs. “She asked me if Ryle could stay here.”
“What did you tell her?”
“What else would I tell her, but yes, Truman? After all, if you’re not gonna fight for her by now, you’re not gonna fight for her. What’s a trip to Florida with some other guy mean to you?”
13
Julie
Truman disappears into the house while I’m talking to his mom. Normally, I would be okay with that, but today is different. We haven’t talked much lately, he didn’t look thrilled to see me when I walked out here with Ryle, and he’s been in the house for a long time. Maybe he has a girlfriend here. In fact, maybe he went inside to catch her before she came outside. But he knows I won’t care. Well, I mean, we’re over and have been for years, so it’s not like he has to hide his dates from me.
“Hey!” Twain’s girlfriend, Mabry, gives me a one-armed hug. She’s holding a tray of crackers and olives in her free hand. “How’s it going, Julie?”
“Great, thanks.” I nod and reach across her to grab a cracker. Interesting. This is the first time in a very long time I’ve been invited to anything involving Truman’s family. It’s obvious he’s not happy I’m here; apparently, that’s why I don’t get many invites.
Mabry’s a perfect fit for Truman’s older brother, Twain. She’s about as laid back and fun as Twain is. If she and I could spend more time together, I’m pretty sure we’d be the kind of friends who share margaritas, laughter, and secrets.
“Do you—”
“Jules.”
Truman’s harsh tone booms over Mabry. I glance to my left when I feel his fingers dig into my upper arm. What the heck did I do to make him angry with me? Once we had it out and broke up, we promised not to fight, not to take potshots at each other. For Ryle’s sake. That promise has worked for six years. Why is he suddenly snipping at me?
“I’ll talk to you later, Julie.” Mabry offers me a smile, narrows her eyes at Truman in a sneer that makes me laugh, and slips away from us.
“What’s up?” I turn my full attention to Truman, but I’m still laughing at Mabry. That only makes Truman look grouchier.
“Can we talk for a second?”
“Sure.” I shrug and follow him when he leads the way back into the house. We don’t stop in the kitchen, as I expected. He doesn’t even stop in the living room. In fact, he marches me right out to the front porch. He pulls the door closed behind us and then stares at me with a severe frown. “If you don’t want me here, I can go.”
He draws back like I slapped him, but he still doesn’t say anything.
“Harper invited me, Truman.”
He twists and paces over the porch and then stands with his back to me.
“Truman?”
