I almost laughed. “I guess that depends on your definition of okay.”
“Are you still at Kylie’s?”
“Yeah.”
“Do you want to come back to Boston? You can stay with me and Jessica if you want.”
“No. I think I’m going to stay here for now.” Or maybe forever.
“Is there anything I can do? Do you want to talk about it?”
“What is there to talk about? I told him the truth, and he didn’t want me anymore.”
“He’s always wanted you, Danielle. He got pissed at me for flirting with you in the hospital the day he woke up from the car crash. I don’t think there’s been a minute since then that he didn’t want you. He’s just stubborn and incredibly stupid.”
“Why aren’t you mad at me?” I asked, between sniffles. “I lied to you too.”
“I don’t care if you’re human or not. It doesn’t change who you are. And who you are is my best friend, my ride or die.”
“I love you.”
“I know. I love you too. I’ll stop by later today, okay?”
“I’m not very good company right now.”
“And I don’t care. We’re not the kind of friends who only show up for each other when things are all rainbows and butterflies. I’ll see you in a bit.”
While I waited for Miles, I finally responded to Maggie’s text, telling her she was welcome to call anytime.
My phone rang a couple of seconds later.
“Hey,” she said as soon as I picked up. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know about the blackmail, I swear. Neither did Mom. We never would have wanted that.”
“I know. I don’t blame you.” I’d seen the shock and horror in Maggie’s aura last night. “What happened after I left yesterday?”
“Mom and your scary-calm brother talked about deals and options that don’t end in our families fighting. Mom’s going to get in touch with my dad, and while she does that, Scott and I are staying with Sam and Piper.”
“You’re what?” Nate had been ready to kill Maggie last night. Now she was living next door to him?
“The idea is if my dad decides to follow through on the threats he made to you, I’ll be there to hopefully talk sense into him?” Her voice lifted at the end of her statement, making it sound more like a question. “Or I guess worst-case scenario, I can play hostage.”
“And you’re okay with this?”
“I don’t see any better options. At least this way Mom has the chance to try to make some kind of truce. And it’s only for a week. Then we’re all getting together again to make a more solid plan.”
I tipped my head back against the couch. “I made such a mess of everything.”
“This isn’t your fault, Danielle. We all kept secrets that we probably shouldn’t have.”
“Hayden didn’t.”
“You sure about that? Because I’m not buying his story about you two dating for two years while he invited other girls to be his plus-one at events. I can’t see either of you being okay with that if you were really together.”
“Maggie—”
“You don’t need to tell me the real story, but don’t pretend my brother hasn’t kept secrets too.”
“Have you heard from him?” I couldn’t help asking.
