AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“She’s been my best friend for seventeen years. I think that trumps your two minutes.”
“Since when did you start doing this backtalk, huh? And since when do you not tell me about the roles you’ve been offered?”
I paused.
Dad cocked an eyebrow. “That’s right. I know.” He gestured toward me. “He got the leading role in the big Spielberg movie. They offered it to him before the holiday. I heard about it from his agent today.”
Mom’s eyes widened. “You got the role?”
“I was going to turn it down,” I explained.
“The hell you are. I already booked our tickets to Los Angeles for the meetings.”
The palms of my hands were sweaty as my anxiety built more and more. “I’m not going. Hailee needs me right now.”
“Baby…” Mom started, but I shook my head.
I stood. “Do whatever you want. Lock my window. Ground me. Tell me how much of a fuckup I am, but I’m not taking that role. I don’t care about it. I don’t care about any of that crap. I’m not leaving her.”
There was no way in hell I was getting on a plane when Hailee needed me more.
19
Hailee
I’d beenout of school for a few days as Mama and Dad signed me up to talk with a therapist who could help me with my heavy thoughts. I was somewhat surprised when Samuel stopped by the house to speak with me.
Samuel smiled my way. “Hey, Hailee. Are your parents home?”
“They ran out to check out a property location for their bakery. I can tell them you stopped by…”
“No. Actually, I was hoping to talk to you for a second?” he asked.
“Sure, of course. Come in.”
He walked into the house and closed the door behind him. He smiled, but it felt a bit cold. Colder than I was used to from Samuel. Normally, there was a level of gentleness and protection when he was around me.
His arms crossed, and he cleared his throat as he looked down at me. “How are you holding up, kiddo?”
I shrugged. “I’m okay. I’m sorry about Thanksgiving. It was a lot.”
“That’s okay. I just hope you’re okay.” He wiggled his nose and shifted his feet. “We’ve been praying for you.”
Prayers were weird. I wondered if they were ever answered or if there was just a sky packed full of unanswered requests floating throughout the atmosphere.
“Is there something wrong?” I asked. My stomach felt tangled up, and I hated that I didn’t know why.
“Uh, yes. Can we sit?”
I nodded and led him to the living room. We sat across from one another, and he still seemed tense, which made me feel even worse.
“So I know Aiden and you have been having a hard time lately,” he stated.
“Oh. Yeah. It was more me dealing with myself than him. Honestly, if it was the other way around, I would’ve done the same. I was hoping to talk to him tonight and—"
Samuel held a hand up and halted my words. “You’re a good girl, Hailee. I’ve known you for a long time, and I have no questions about the type of person you are.”
I swallowed hard. “What’s going on?”
