“Hunter’s-in-the-hospital-and-I-have-to-fly-back-to-LA-to-make-sure-he’s-okay-because-I-love-him.” The words tumble out so fast, my tongue has a hard time keeping up.
“You—okay... Let’s back up. What happened to Hunter?”
“I don’t know. That’s why I have to go. I have to fly back to LA and find out what happened and make sure he’s okay and?—”
“And taking your old penguin alarm clock is going to help with that?” She points to the mess on my fuzzy pink rug. Sure enough, there’s Pengie, next to my hair bonnet and a pair of high tops. She bumps my shoulder playfully, and I laugh, wiping a stray tear from my cheek.
“I don’t know. I was just throwing shit in there.”
“Girl, I can tell. You have half your bedroom in that bag. How about we wait to hear back from Kayla before hopping on a plane, hmm?”
“But what if?—”
“Exactly. What if he’s fine, and you rush out there for no reason? We leave first thing in the morning. There’s nothing you can do for him better than a hospital can, anyway.” She stares at me like she’s trying to send the logic through brainwaves with her eye contact. “If it turns out to be something bigger, I’ll leave with you tonight. But for now, let’s just wait.”
I nod, glancing at the phone still in my hands. No new messages.
“Now for the other thing…” She squints at me.
“What other thing?”
“The ‘I love Hunter’ thing.”
I shake my head emphatically, refusing to believe those words came out of my mouth. “I didn’t say that.”
“Ash, you literally said you had to make sure he’s okay because you love him.”
“No”—my voice trills nervously—“I don’t think so.” I thought it before, but I didn’t say it out loud.Right?
“You’re so distraught at the thought of him being hurt, you’re panic packing your entire childhood bedroom to get back to him. That’s not love?” She tilts her head to the side. “You love him.”
“I…” I breathe out a shaky breath, coming to terms with the jumbled mess in my head. “…I think so. Shit.No... I can’t.”
Willa chuckles. “What do you mean ‘you can’t’? It doesn’t sound like you have much of a choice.”
“I…he…we…No!” The last word is guttural as I turn my wide-eyed panic to Willa. And she’s laughing.Laughing. As if this isn’t the most infuriating situation I’ve found myself in. Like it’s not the stupidest conclusion for me to come to.
“Ash, you love him. It’s okay.”
“No, it’snot.” I slap an outraged hand on the bed. “You can love someone and know they’re no good for you. That’s Hunter. He’s a one-way ticket to Hurtsville, and I don’t want to take any more trips out there.I can’t.”
“Hurtsville? Are you a country singer now?” Her brow raises over the teasing look in her eyes.
“Ugh, this is serious, Wills. Hunter’s just like Marcus.”
“And Trevor is just like Bryan.”
“Wha—no he’s not.” I glare at her.
“Don’t give me that look. You know I’m right. He may not be controlling like Bryan, but Trevor’s safe, predictable, and checks off all the boxes you think you’re supposed to check off.” I roll my eyes, and she bumps me with her shoulder. “And Hunter’s not like Marcus. Maybe he is with every other woman, but not with you. He’s some third, unknown anomaly with you, and only you, andthat’swhat has you scared right now.”
“Oh, okay,”I scoff.“So what do I do, Willa the Wise?” I scowl at her know-it-all ass calling me scared. Even though I am—terrified, really, about something I can’t put my finger on—I don’t need her telling me.
“You, my sweet sister, are the only one who can decide if you’re going to keep playing it safe, or if you’re ready to go for what you really want.” With a sigh, she pats my knee and walks to the door. When she stops in the doorway, she turns and points right at me. “And don’t get used to the hugging.” She shivers.
I start to laugh, but my phone buzzes in my hand, and it’s pressed against my ear impossibly fast. “Kayla,” I say, staring at Willa as I listen to the update about my best friend who, apparently, I’m in love with.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
