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Riley answered after two rings. Her hair was pulled into a ponytail, and she wore one of her racquetball T-shirts. Her dark eyes trained in on Olivia. “I was wondering when you’d call. I hear someone has abandoned her own advice and begun to fly straight into the hot, bright lightbulb that is Carson Clark.”
She already knew? “Annie told you?”
Riley propped her phone on the kitchen counter. It was covered in grocery bags from a recent shopping trip. “Annie was acting too happy and secretive. I knew something was up.” Riley picked up a gallon of milk and put it in the fridge. “I got the truth out of her in under five minutes. But don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone about your recent questionable choices. I’m better at keeping secrets than she is.”
This was true. Riley would’ve done well as a spy.
Riley pulled out a tub of ice cream from a grocery bag and held it up to the camera. “By the way, I’m stocking the freezer with your favorite dessert.”
“In celebration or so we can binge when things fall apart?”
“Either.” She opened the lid. “Actually, I think I need some right now. Pretend I’m celebrating for you and not feeling sorry for myself.”
“Lucas is working at the cabin. You could come up to help me and just, you know… talk to him.”
Riley dipped a spoon into the carton. “Manual labor and being forced to be around my ex? Hard pass.”
“I thought you were working on letting go of the past.”
Riley sighed at the carton. “They never put enough Oreos in the ice cream. This is just speckled with cookies. I need actual chunks. The real stuff.” Despite this complaint, she took another bite.
Olivia lay down on her bed with a thud. “Any advice on what to do to make Carson’s mother like me?”
“Why wouldn’t she like you?”
“Because Carson is rich and successful and could have any woman he wanted. I’m just an art teacher from Lark Springs with a questionable family.”
Riley snorted. “Oh, there’s no question about your family. They don’t hide anything, not even embezzlement.”
Olivia glared at her.
“But be that as it may,” Riley went on, “you’re not your family. There’s nothing in your genes that will determine your destiny.” She waved her spoon at Olivia. “Except for maybe a gene that predisposes you toward alcoholism, so stick with the ice cream, honey.”
“You’re not making me feel better. Mrs. Clark is going to hate me, isn’t she?”
“You’re beautiful, talented, and are devoting your life to teaching ungrateful teenagers. You’re practically a saint. Just be your normal adorable self and Mrs. Clark will love you. She liked me, and I’m not nearly as nice as you.”
Maybe. Maybe not. Olivia had gotten Carson suspended from the high school football team.
Riley dug her spoon into the carton. “At least I think she liked me. But then I also thought Lucas liked me, so maybe I’m not the best judge.” She shoveled the spoon into her mouth. “Just in case his parents don’t like you, I’m going to buy a package of Oreos to supplement this.” She took a bite and laughed. “Oh, who are we kidding? This carton will be gone by the time you come home. I’ll buy you another one. Or two. Also, if Lucas gets hurt, I want pictures.”
“So letting go of the past is still a work in progress?”
“I’m totally over him.” Riley took a large bite. “And I wish you better luck with his brother.”
“Thanks.”
Riley looked closer into the camera, her flippant attitude changing into real concern. “His parents probably won’t care one way or another if he dates you since he’ll be leaving for Denver once training camp starts. The question is will you be okay when that happens?”
Olivia hadn’t spoken to Carson about what would happen to their relationship after the house was done. She’d told herself it was too early to make those sorts of decisions. He’d said he wanted a real relationship and that was enough. But in truth, maybe she didn’t want to face the facts. “He might not go back,” she said. “His fracture didn’t heal well after the first surgery. He’s still recovering from the second. His career in the NFL might be over. If that happens…” Olivia broke off. “Am I a bad person for hoping that he can’t do the job he loves?”
“A little.” Riley wasn’t one to pull punches.
“Okay, I shouldn’t hope for that. But he could be happy in Lark Springs. It’s a nice place. His family is here. His roots are here.” Olivia sighed. “I’m here.”
“When will he know if he can go to training camp?”
“I’m not sure. He’s got an appointment a week from today.”
