Chapter 32
HANNAH
Heading back to San Francisco is a last-minute decision. My security team was about to rotate. I asked them to give me a ride to San Francisco instead. It’s time to come home.
What I didn’t know is that the flight was at midnight. Since they’re supposed to report to headquarters at nine, they dropped me at the airport at six in the morning. Once I’m in the car service on my way to my apartment, I call Ethan.
I just posted my latest article, and I want his feedback on it as well as his opinion on the next article—and project.
“What do you think?” I ask Ethan.
He yawns. “Love the pictures you’re adding to the articles.”
“But?”
“I swear, I can’t keep waking up in the middle of the night to have these conversations.” He clears his throat. “When are you really coming back?”
“First of all, it’s a little past six in the morning. Also, I’m on my way,” I say, yawning.
“Seriously?”
“Yep, I’m twenty minutes away from my apartment. The security detail didn’t update you?” I ask, surprised.
“Maybe they told Tucker,” he says and goes quiet. “Yep, he knew, but he’s still sleeping. I texted the guys. Do you want me to tell anyone else?”
“Nah. My parents already know I’m here,” I tell him. “My plan for today is to arrive home and sleep all day before I start making calls.”
“Who do you need to call?”
I close my eyes and groan. “Any college that might hire me?”
He laughs. “You knew this would happen. How are things with your parents?”
“Good, we smoothed everything out while I was away.”
“Through letters?”
“I did mail them letters, but the rest was through phone calls and Christmas break.”
He laughs. “The Speedman?”
Well, let me tell you, Ethan, he sent me a letter that scared me because between the lines he really meant he’s waiting for me. Didn’t he?
Instead of going on with him about the last letter, I say, “He’s relentless, but we’re friends now—I think. How’s Lori?”
“We broke up a year ago.”
I cough. “What? Why? You never mentioned it.”
He exhales loudly. “You’re in the middle of an existential crisis. Telling you then or now doesn’t matter.”
“I’m sorry?” I try to be supportive, but since he doesn’t sound heartbroken and the guys hated her, I’m okay with this. “What happened though?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“Did you love her?”
“It’s over, okay? Reading your articles helped me get a different perspective.”
“I’m glad to hear that. So, there’s another article I wrote. I’m emailing it to you. Can you post it later today after you proof it?”
“What is it about?”
“My next step, I think it is going to be fun.”
“Should I be concerned, Nana?”
“Nope.”
“Any broken hearts you might’ve left behind?”
“Nope, I behaved.”
“Alex?”
“He’s behind. Maybe he was rebound boy,” I say with conviction. “I just rebounded too many times.”
“Let him down nicely, okay?”
“Believe me, there’s no love lost between us.”
He laughs. “Text us when you’re home.”