Chapter 10 #2
I’m not worried about her being asleep. If this sleepover is anything like the ones we’ve had here, she and Tess will be up giggling until well after midnight. Then she’ll come home cranky tomorrow, refuse to take a nap, and I’ll have to navigate her mood for the rest of the day.
A wry chuckle escapes as I watch the little three dots blink on my phone. Sleepovers aren’t nearly as much fun for the parents. But if Haley enjoys it, that’s what’s important.
Haley’s reply appears on my screen.
It’s great! We had popcorn and cookies and chips. I made three bracelets. And we watched Elf. Now we’re doing our nails and watching The Christmas Chronicles.
Some of the tension I’ve been carrying releases. Haley’s fine. Safe. Happy. Just how I want her to be.
Smiling, I send my response.
I’m glad you’re having fun.
My finger hovers over the screen as I fight with myself not to tell her to go to sleep at a reasonable time. And not to eat any more junk.
But it’s a sleepover. Staying up late and eating junk is a critical part of it.
So, instead, I finish the text with something more positive.
Tell Tess and her dad I said hi. Sleep well. I’ll see you tomorrow. Love you.
Her text comes in almost immediately.
Love you too.
I smile at her message.
Things aren’t all bad. Haley’s happy. And if she’s happy, I am.
With my phone already in hand, I decide to send Hazel a quick text before I get ready for bed.
I won’t ask her directly if something’s going on with Ronan—that feels weird, given that she’s friends with him, and Alec is one of Ronan’s best friends—but she might drop a hint.
Or maybe she’ll tell me in confidence that Ronan actually has a stomach bug and he didn’t want to tell me about it.
I could see that, actually. Ronan wouldn’t want to ruin Haley’s time at the Walk by saying he was sick. Or he might not have wanted to worry me.
Not that I want Ronan to have a stomach bug. But if he’s really sick and not just tired, that would explain the sudden change in his behavior.
My mood lifts slightly. Which I feel kind of bad about, but if Ronan’s really sick…
I can go over first thing in the morning.
Bring him chicken soup or ginger ale and saltines.
Cough drops. Ginger tea. Whatever he needs.
And if he’s really feeling miserable, I can see if Haley can stay at the Ryan’s a little later so I can stay at Ronan’s to take care of him.
Pulling up my last text conversation with Hazel, I send a quick message.
Just wanted to say hi. How’s everything going?
I’m sure she’s awake too, because Saturday nights are the nights when Hazel plays her online game, World of Warcraft. It also means she might take a little while to get back to me, so I decide to get ready for bed while I’m waiting.
I’m just finishing brushing my teeth when her reply finally comes in.
Sorry! I was in the middle of a big battle. We’re exploring this new dungeon, and there are some crazy monsters in it. Very intense.
I spit out my toothpaste and rinse my mouth before responding.
Sounds very exciting. Is Alec playing, too?
She messages me right back.
Yes. He’s really gotten into it. You should see him looking up fight strategies online.
A few seconds pass before she sends another text.
So. You and Ronan. Looks like things are going pretty well.
I can practically hear Hazel’s matchmaking gears turning from here.
Flicking off the bathroom light, I head into my bedroom, kick off my slippers, and climb into bed. Then I fluff my pillow and lean back against it.
I think so. I hope so.
I gnaw on my lip for a second as I think. Then I add,
Did he seem okay to you today?
As soon as I hit send, I wish I could take it back. Why am I asking Hazel how Ronan feels when, as the woman he’s ostensibly dating, I should already know the answer?
But it’s too late. I’ve already asked.
A few moments later, Hazel’s answer appears.
He seemed okay to me. But I’m asking Alec.
I stare at the screen in horror. That’s not what I meant. If she asks Alec, then Alec will say something to Ronan, and Ronan will know I’m talking about him, and—
“Augh.” I roll over, bury my face in the pillow, and scream.
From beside me, my phone buzzes softly. Pulling the pillow off my head, I sit up and look at Hazel’s message.
Alec said he’s fine. In fact, Ronan’s over at Max’s place.
They’re watching some weird sport like cheese rolling or competitive dodgeball.
Apparently, Max texted all the guys to invite them over.
You didn’t hear this from me, but I think there’s something going on with Max and Sage. And Max isn’t happy about it.
A beat later, another text blinks onto the screen.
Well, duh. Everyone knows something’s going on with Max and Sage. But this time, Max is extra grumpy about it.
My heart lurches. My nose stings. A lump swells in my throat.
Ronan isn’t sick.
He’s not at home, resting.
He’s at Max’s. Watching sports. Probably sitting around drinking beer.
I swallow hard to keep from crying.
He said he wasn’t feeling well. And now he’s at Max’s.
Hurt balloons inside me until there’s no room for anything else.
He lied to me. He said he wasn’t feeling well, but it was just an excuse.
My phone lights up with another text. It’s Hazel.
Are you okay?
Feeling numb, I quickly reply to her.
Yup. Just going to bed. Have fun with your game. Night.
Then I toss the phone onto the mattress and bury my face in the pillow again. Within seconds, the fabric is damp.
Why did he lie to me?
What happened?
Did I do something wrong?
Amid the hurt, a spark of anger flares.
How could he?
If he didn’t care about me, why let things go on for so long?
Ronan’s an adult. If he wasn’t interested, he should have just said something. I’m not a child. I would have been disappointed, but I would have accepted it.
From the other side of the mattress, my phone buzzes again. Hazel, most likely, asking if I’m really okay.
If I were sure, I’d let her message go until tomorrow. But it could be Haley. Or Garrett, calling about a problem.
Or Ronan, a hopeful voice whispers. Maybe there’s more to this than you know.
With an extra-heavy sigh, I haul myself into a seated position.
“Forget little steam engine,” I say to myself. “I’m going full-size tonight.”
Then I grab the phone and tap the screen to read the message.
It’s from Ronan.
Hey. Are you up?
As I’m reading his text, another one appears.
I was a jerk today. And I’m sorry.