Violet’s eyebrow raises in suspicion at my curiosity.
“Just wondering.” I shrug defensively.
“Mmmhmm. I’m sure you are.” She eyes me.
“Don’t give me that look.”
“Oh, I will give you this look. And a few more looks. Probably a nudge or two. Then I might throw some meddling in for good measure.”
“Don’t,” I say, flicking her a look and grabbing the second bag that’s full of lights and prop equipment marked “FRAGILE” in bright blue ink.
“Do we need a cart?” She looks at the bags at my feet.
“Maybe…” I hedge. I mastered being able to wheel the two giant hard case bags and my backpack and carry-on, but I did look like a one-person circus doing it.
“Here, I’ll get one.” She nods to the wall where several are waiting to be checked out. I readjust my shoulder straps and take a deep breath.
I’m here to see my friends. Hang out with them like old times, laughing and taking a trip down memory lane and all the good things. I can just avoid the part where I stomped all over a guy’s already broken heart for no good reason. After all, he’s all grown up now, one of the most famous people in the country, and at this point, I’m probably nothing more than a blip on his radar. A smudge of a mistake that he learned from. No reason to think we can’t get along now—all these years later.
“All right. Here we go.” Violet rolls the luggage cart up and helps me load the bags onto it. “I need to get some luggage like this. Better than what I’ve got.”
“Yeah, it’s not cheap but it’s worth it. No shooting equipment damaged so far—knock on wood.”
“I’m so freaking excited you’re here though, Joss. We have so much catching up to do. And I can’t wait to show you the house and my studio.”
“Well let’s get going! Can we get a smoothie on the way though?”
“Obviously. I already know a place you’ll like. Had it all planned out.”
“And this is why I love you. Who needs men when I have a bestie like you?” I hug her from the side because in so many ways Violet really is my person.
“I mean, you do.” She laughs.
“Fair enough.” I laugh along with her because I don’t have the heart to tell her I’ve had my own little dry spell when it’s come to men lately.
She loves living vicariously through me. Hot Italian men taking me out for pasta and rides in their Ferraris. Climbing on a yacht on the Riviera with a guy who owns a vineyard. Hiking in the Alps with the Swiss mountain guide and eating fondue in an adorable hut at the top while he reads me dirty poems in German? That’s what I’m famous for. Being melancholy because none of it hits the way it used to, and I’m bored of the fun I used to have? Not the sexy adventure anyone wants to hear about.
I’ll have to tell her at some point. I need my best friend’s wisdom and sage advice. But I’d rather pretend for a while longer. Especially since the last person on earth I want to know I’m not at the top of my game anymore is both on the front of a magazine and going to be sitting across from me at dinner tonight.
TWO
Colton
“They’re improving,”Ben notes as he steps up beside me at practice. He’s my wide receiver and my closest friend. We’ve played together since college, and I’d be lost without him. We’re watching the defense run their drills and the guys are currently practicing their man-to-man coverage and looking damn near flawless while they do it.
“A lot. This defense might be able to hold anything if they keep up like this.” I nod before I take a long swig of water and we both watch for a couple of minutes.
“So are you still planning on stopping by tonight?”
“Of course. Wouldn’t miss it.”
“Then I’ve got something I need to warn you about.” Ben’s brow furrows and I raise mine in response.
“What’s that?” I can’t imagine what I need to be warned about. I’m at Ben and Violet’s all the time as they’ve become the de facto team home and hosts. Not to mention Ben and I go running or go out on the kayaks semi-regularly.
“She’s flying in today. I didn’t know until yesterday. I think it was a last-minute thing, but she’s had a break in her schedule, and Violet invited her to come stay with us for a while.”
I don’t need to ask who she is. I know. I take another drink of water, buying myself time because even though it’s been years since I saw her last—since his wedding to her best friend—the mention of her still sends a shockwave down my spine. One that ricochets low and brings back memories that I try not to think about for too long. At least not in the bright light of day and not while I’m trying to focus on practice.
