34. Laur
Chapter thirty-four
Laur
E ach breath I take causes pain through my entire body as if I am breathing polluted air. How is Raven Matthews the same Raven Lucas dated? She must have changed her last name.
Thinking about how I’ll have to spend an entire year working with her and watching her with him feels like a punch to the gut. Jealousy flares my nostrils.
“Lauren.”
Turning around, my eyes fall to the conniving girl. Raven’s gaze is full of remorse but the only thing I can see in the dark green of her eyes is a snake in the grass. A muscle ticks in my jaw as if I’m ready to chew her head off.
“Can I talk to you?” Raven asks in a hushed tone. “I want to explain.”
It takes every ounce of self-control I have to hold it together and not scream in her face.
“I . . .” Restraint coils tight beneath my skin as each word comes out hasty but collected and smooth. “I’ve got to go.”
As soon as I’m out the front doors, my feet launch me into a dead run toward home. The world blurs around me as tears pool in my eyes.
The slam of the front door echoes throughout the house as I force it closed behind me, falling to the floor against it. Yanking out my phone, I dial Bren’s number.
No answer.
My fingers quickly tap her name, calling her again.
“C’mon, pick up,” I mutter as the ringing continues .
She doesn’t answer. Logic tells me she’s probably working but my brain is operating on emotion, not logic. Putting my head in my hands, I let out a frantic cry and let the tears fall.
The tears don’t stop. They cover my cheeks, my shirt, some even manage to find their way to the hardwood floor. Sniffling, I try Bren one more time.
“Please pick up,” I desperately sob.
Still no answer.
My phone’s in the air, thrown out of frustration without a second thought. With a loud thud , it lands on the living room carpet.
“Shit!” I wail. The last thing I need today is a broken phone on top of everything else.
The front door hits me in the back.
“Laur?” Libby's voice calls, trying to open the door and hitting me again.
“One second,” I blubber, dragging myself a few feet forward on the floor.
“Can I come in now?” Libby inquires softly through the crack in the door.
“Okay,” I respond, choking back tears.
The second Libby lays eyes on me, puffy-eyed and distraught in our entry way, she bends down beside me. “Laur, what’s wrong?”
My answer gets lost as I break down in tears. Libby tries to calm me, rubbing my back in a soothing motion and telling me everything will be okay. I pray she’s right.
Slowly, I move from sprawled on the floor to sitting, resting my head on Libby’s shoulder. The tears still stream down my face.
“Do you want to talk about it?” Libby asks quietly.
“I need a tissue,” I snivel.
Libby immediately stands, going to the bathroom and grabbing me the entire box of issues.
“Thanks,” I mumble, blowing my nose so hard it hurts .
My phone rings and Bren’s name comes across the screen, but I need a minute to gather myself.
“Will you still be free in fifteen minutes?” I bawl into the phone, my voice hoarse and distraught.
“What’s wrong, Laur?” Bren’s bubbly voice, a gentle whisper.
“Will you still be free in fifteen minutes?” I ask again with a sniffle.
“Yeah,” Bren starts, but before she can say another word, I tell her I’ll call her back.
Every muscle in my body aches as I get up off the ground. Handing Libby back the box of tissues, I tell her I’m going to take a shower, then will fill her and Bren in at the same time. I need time to process this before I talk.
My tears mix with the warm water as it runs down my body. Question after question plagues my mind.
Why is she here?
Did she know who I was?
Is she still in love with him?
Will she try to win him back?
My heart breaks wrapping my mind around the last question. Even if she does want him back, Lucas loves me. The little he shared about Raven wasn’t positive, I doubt he would be interested even if I wasn’t in the picture, which brings me back to the first question again.
“What the hell is she doing here?” I whisper to the shower walls, wishing they would give me the answers, so I don’t have to talk to her to find out.
With sopping wet hair, I pull on my comfiest sweatshirt that technically belongs to Lucas and head down the stairs. Each step makes me more mopey.
“She’s out of the shower,” Libby says into her phone. “Here, sweetie.” She hands me a cup of piping hot liquid. “I made you some tea.”
Taking the mug from her, I instantly place it on the counter. “Thanks, but it’s at least ninety degrees outside. ”
“I told you, Bren,” Libby hisses into the phone. "It's too hot for tea! I knew she wouldn’t want it.”
“Yeah, yeah, whatever,” Libby responds to whatever Bren said. “You’re going on speaker.”
My stomach churns, and I reach for the tea. “I’m going to need to sit for this,” I mutter into the cup as I take a sip and burn my entire mouth.
Cozying up into the corner of the couch, I pull a blanket over me despite my earlier comment on the heat. I need all the comfort I can get.
“Raven Matthews,” my voice cracks on her name, “is Lucas’ ex girlfriend.”
“What the fuck?” Libby spits each word out.
“What did she say?” Bren chimes in from the speaker phone. “I can't hear."
“Oh sorry,” Libby walks over to me, handing me the phone. “Raven Matthews is Lucas’ ex-girlfriend.” Libby speaks into the phone. “She’s a new girl we brought on to the team.” She hands me back the phone and whispers, “All yours now.”
“Wait?” Bren’s muffled voice comes from the speaker phone. ”But how is that even possible?”
My heart sinks in my stomach as if it’s made of pure lead. “I don’t know,” I whisper.
“Her last name isn’t Matthews though, it’s Harriet or Hettington, or something with an H,” Bren clarifies.
“Lucas asked me why his ex is now on the PR team”—tears sting my eyes—“It’s definitely her.”
“She must have changed it,” Bren mutters.
Taking a sip of my tea, I can’t help but wonder what would make a nineteen year old girl change her last name.
“Wait.” Libby’s jaw drops. “Was it Harrington?”
“Yes!” Bren shouts, her voice almost bubbly.
“Holy shit,” Libby whispers .
A crease forms between my brows as confusion sets in. How did Libby know her previous last name?
“I only met her once,” Bren rushes to fill the silence. “I should have helped with interviews. I would have recognized her.”
“Holy shit,” Libby squeals with excitement.
“What’s happening? Why is she excited?” Bren questions frantically. “Aren’t we upset?”
“Yes, we are upset,” Libby confirms, her eyes full of sympathy, “but do you know who her freaking mom is?”
“Clearly, I didn’t know who the hell she was,” I mutter, annoyance filling me.
“I would bet money that her mom is Holly Harrington.” Libby’s eyes are as wide as saucers. “It all makes sense now.”
“Don’t worry, Bren, " I speak directly into the phone. ”I’m just as confused as you are.”
“As in H. Harrington?” Bren slowly replies.
“Yes!” Libby shrieks with excitement. “As in H. Harrington, the fashion designer.”
The pieces of the puzzle click into place. Her experience in the fashion industry at such a young age. Her mention of family ties to the industry. Grabbing my phone from my hoodie pocket, I type in H. Harrington.
Holy shit is right .
There are millions of articles about the cutting edge designer. Over one million followers on social media. A brand website. Clicking on the image tab, I quickly see the resemblance.
“But that doesn’t explain anything,” I think out loud, “about what the hell she is doing here.”
“I know, babe,” Bren breathes loudly into the phone. “There’s only one person who has those answers for you.”
The room falls silent. I know I have to talk to Raven, but I have zero desire to be in the same room as the girl let alone have a conversation .
“You can do hard things, Laur,” Bren's static-riddled voice breaks the silence. “I’m sorry you have to deal with this. I love you and I’m here for you."
“Thank you, love you too, Brennie Bean.” I let out an exhausted sigh. “I’ll text or call you later this week.”
“You better,” Bren demands. “I want an update on all this drama.”
“I will.” Hitting the end call button, the room goes quiet again and stillness settles in.
“Do you want to talk more about it?” Libby asks as she grabs her phone.
Shaking my head, I stare into my tea. “I think I just want to be alone for a little while."
“If you need me, I’m here,“ Libby reassures me, “whether you need me to help you get information, need a shoulder to cry on, or someone to punch her in the face. I’m here.”
“No,” I spit out quickly. “No more fighting.”
“Yeah, you’re right,” Libby jokes with a giggle. "Tyler has done enough recently. I'll wait at least a week.”
A small chuckle flutters out of me. “Terrible joke.”
“Great joke,” Libby argues. “But Lucas worships the ground you walk on, Laur. You have nothing to worry about there.”
“I know,” I reply. And I do. I'm not worried about Lucas wanting her but that doesn’t mean I want to spend almost every day with his ex-girlfriend.
Libby shuffles upstairs and to her room, leaving me alone with my thoughts. Lucas told me last year that they broke up because she hated how much he put hockey first. Her joining the program to support the Wyverns makes no sense.
There’s a lot to uncover but I’m determined to know every single detail of why Raven Matthews, or I guess Raven Harrington, is here.