21. Hartley
CHAPTER 21
HARTLEY
A ll I have to say is thank god for online dating, because it’s the only thing that’s making this NDA possible.
Before Court and I left New York City three weeks ago, Wendell pulled us aside and made sure we were crystal clear on the rules for the next four months until the season finale airs:
Don’t disclose anything about the race.
Don’t share any information about our relationship.
When in doubt, refer to rules 1 and 2.
He specifically advised us not to contact any contestants until after the finale, but there was no way Court and I were not going to talk for four months. This meant we needed a way to call and text each other without raising suspicion, particularly after the cast is announced next week. Enter “Thomas” and “Jessica,” who we each met on a dating site a few weeks before we left for the race. Right now, Thomas is sending encouraging texts because I’m about to have The Talk with my parents.
Thomas: You got this.
Me: I hope so.
Thomas: I know so because of New Zealand and Greece. You’re a badass .
Me: This is true. I’ll keep you posted.
With a one last deep breath, I set my phone on my dresser and head for the living room. Mom’s on the couch and Dad’s in his chair beside the couch while they watch an old season of Xtreme Quest. It looks like a universe moment given the topic of discussion, but this is just a regular Saturday in the Billings house.
Before I lose my nerve, I claim an empty couch cushion and blurt out, “Can I talk to you?”
They exchange a glance and Mom mutes the TV. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, I’ve just been thinking about a few things.”
“Like what?” Dad asks, leaning forward in his chair.
My fingers twist in my lap as I work to figure out how to begin. “You both know I can’t tell you anything about the race, but what I can say is it helped me realize that I’ve felt like I’ve been wearing a really great pair of shoes that don’t fit me. Dad, your business has been your baby since before John and I were born, and after the accident, I wanted to do anything I could to make sure you didn’t lose it.
“I don’t regret my decision to move home and take over the company. I just figured if I kept at it long enough, I’d be able to turn your dream into mine, but I don’t think that’s going to happen.”
My voice cracks on the last word. I hate having to tell them this, but I hate the idea of not having Court and feeling stagnant for the rest of my life even more.
“Over the last three weeks, I’ve thought a lot about my plans for the future, and they all start with...”
You can do this.
“What I mean is . . .”
Spit it out.
“I’m trying to say . . .”
God, just say it!
“. . . I’m leaving the company.”
They stare back at me in silence.
“It’s not that I’ve been unhappy,” I continue. “It’s more like you got a new pair of shoes six years ago, I put one on, and never took it off. Now it’s time for me to find my own pair of shoes.”
More silence as they exchange glances, each of them wearing an expression I can’t read .
I swallow and press on. “I’m really sorry for the burden this creates, but I’ll handle the job posting and interviews and I promise I won’t go anywhere until everything’s settled with my replacement.”
There.
I’ve said everything I can, short of telling them about Court.
. . . And they still haven’t said anything.
Why aren’t they saying anything?
They exchange another look, and this time Dad tilts his head at Mom. She nods, and then he nods, and they both turn to me.
“I guess this is a good time to tell you that I got an offer from a guy in Wilmington a couple of months ago. Why don’t we all get some new shoes and sell the company instead?”
My college roommate Corrina was the first to text when the cast list was released this afternoon.
Corrina: COURT MUELLER?! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
Me: I am not.
Corrina: What was he like? Did you murder him? Did you bang him? Is he married with nine kids?
Me: *zipped lips emoji*
Corrina: No fair!
Me: Tell that to the $500k NDA I signed.
The rest of the day was more of the same, but it’s not until 8:32 p.m. that my phone finally lights up with the one name I’ve been waiting for. I set my notebook aside and sit up against my headboard to answer the video call.
“Heyyyyy...” My voice trails off when I realize the face on the other end of the line isn’t Court’s. The man is smiling though, and swatting at something off-screen.
“Hi Hartley, I’m Rhett.”
Oh shit.
“Umm . . . Hi?”
“Give me the phone, asshole! ”
That’s definitely Court’s voice. And his living room. What is happening right now?
“You’ll get your turn in just a minute,” Rhett says before turning his attention back to me. “Anyway, I figured out that you were ‘Jessica’ about thirty-seven seconds after the cast list was announced, so don’t worry, Court’s honor and bank account are still intact.”
“But your balls won’t be if you don’t give me my phone!” Court hollers.
My cheeks already hurt from smiling. “It’s nice to meet you, Rhett. I’m curious though—how’d you figure it out?”
“Because he’s a nosy bastard.”
“More like a man with a modicum of emotional intelligence who’s watched your sorry ass mope for six damn years, and suddenly you’re home from a mysterious hiking trip and halfway in love with a woman from the internet? Please . But don’t worry,” he says to me, “Court hasn’t told anyone else about Jessica. He’s actually a pretty private guy when it comes to his dating life.”
“Are you done now?”
Ignoring Court, Rhett adds, “In all seriousness, I haven’t seen him this happy in a really long time. I’m excited to meet you in person in a few months. In the meantime, my lips are sealed.”
“I’m looking forward to it too, Rhett. I’ve heard great things about you.”
“Not anymore you won’t,” Court says flatly.
“Don’t mind him. He’s cranky because Ella threatened to write him out of her will for not telling her about the show and he was really hoping to get her collection of vintage Barbie dolls.”
I’m cracking up as Court battles for the phone again. A few seconds later, Rhett finally gives in and Court appears on the screen.
“Finally,” he huffs, though his smirk reads more amused than annoyed.
“Bye Hartley!” Rhett calls.
“Bye Rhett.”
After the front door closes, Court plops onto the couch with a grunt and scrubs a hand over his forehead. “I had no idea the cast announcement day would be so exhausting. I must’ve gotten at least three dozen messages from people I haven’t talked to in years, along with texts or calls from just about everyone in my contacts.”
“Same. Corrina and Megan say hi, by the way.”
He breathes out a laugh and shakes his head. “I can only imagine what their text string looks like right now. ”
“Now that you mention it, Megan did say something about ordering a voodoo doll,” I tease.
He rolls his eyes playfully, then returns his gaze to my face and releases a long breath. “I miss you.”
Ugh!
I swoon.
I literally swoon, but can you blame me?
“I miss you too, and that brings me to this evening’s good news. One”—I hold up a finger—“we made it through the first month and now there’s only three to go, and two”—I add a finger—“my dad and the guy in Wilmington signed the paperwork today.”
“He’s really going to sell it?”
I nod. “He’s ready to get a head start on retirement. We’re no longer accepting new clients or booking anything after Thanksgiving.”
“Wow, that happened a lot faster than I thought it would.”
“You’re telling me. I still haven’t told them where I plan on going, but they know I’m heading out once we’re done with the jobs on our schedule.”
A smile slowly takes over his face. “If you’re done by Thanksgiving and the finale is December seventh, that means?—”
“I’ll be there on December eighth.”