“Hey, I was wondering when you were finally going to remember your original family,” she answers, but I can’t tell if she’s serious or joking. Fuck.
“Umm. Well, Ihavetried, but every time I called you, it went to voicemail. That, or you barely had five minutes to speak to me,” I stammer, not quite sure how to respond.
She chuckles, and although it lightens the tension a little bit, I can tell she’s still upset about something. “Relax, Harlow. I’ve been so busy on the set I’ve hardly had time to breathe. The actress rides this time, but I’ve had to fill in for a few shots that they deemed too dangerous for her.”
“Did it all go okay? You sound funny,” I push, not wanting to let go of what’s bothering her.
“Yeah, yeah. I’m okay. They were hard, and I took a tumble off Sampson. I’ve got a bit of a concussion.” She mumbles the last part, probably a little embarrassed to admit she sustained an injury. Max and I both have a lot of pride in what we do and faith in our skills. I get a little grumpy when I mess up too.
“Oh, I know how that feels.” I chuckle in sympathy with her, the sound dying off when I realize I haven’t told her about anything that happened in Hawaii yet.
The silence between us is deafening as I wait for the response.
“What do you mean, you know how that feels? Not anything recent… right?” Max’s voice is calm, but I can hear the storm building behind it.
“Ah... yeah, well, there was a reason I’ve been trying to get ahold of you,” I bite back defensively.
“Right, like you tried real hard, Harlow. I think I had like two missed calls, and neither of the voice messages said it was important. You know I would have forced them to give me time for you if you said it was urgent.” Aw shit, angry Max rears her head. Maybe she’s right? I guess I could have tried harder, but to be honest her track record in putting me first hasn't been great either.
“So you only return my calls if it’s important? Wow, I feelsospecial.” Yes, I’m annoyed. After spending all this time with the Summers family, I realize the way Max sometimes treats me isn't what families do for one another. I deserve better, and I’m going to demand it. What’s the point of making a stand that the Summers stop their bullshit if I let other people in my life keep up behavior that treats me like less? I don’t really know what’s gotten into me, but maybe I’m finding a little bit of the backbone that I’ve gone too long without using.
There’s another long pause as the hurt tries to ramp itself up into my veins, telling me not to cave first. I hear her sigh over the phone. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I’m tired and grumpy and sore and taking it out on you. Tell me what happened. Please.”
We spend the next half hour talking about my trip to Hawaii and the things that happened, and then I ask her about the movie and if she’s having fun on the set, hoping she might share with me who was in her room that morning, but she’s incredibly closed off about it. It’s not hard to take the hint when she keeps changing or avoiding the subject.
“I can tell something’s up, Max.” There’s another telling silence. “I’m going to let it go for now, but when I see you next, I’m going to pin you down until you spill. God, it can’t be any more dramatic than dating my five adopted brothers while fending off a psycho stalker.”
She chuckles, but the sound is missing some of its usual energy. “I guess when you put it that way, no, it’s not. Okay, deal.”
We hang up not long after that, with Max ordering me to call Chuck and Melinda too, so it’s another half hour before I can head downstairs. But I’m finally not feeling as guilty about not keeping in touch. Everyone is fully up to date, and even though Melinda wanted me to come home, Chuck convinced her it might not even matter, that I should stay where I am, being protected by Thomas.
When I get downstairs, the living room is empty. Where the fuck is everyone? I can't be the first person ready, can I? But a knock at the front door has me turning and going back out the front. It must be the food. Should I be opening the door without Thomas? Well, I’m here now.
But when I get there, it’s Emma with a pretty woman standing next to her. “Oh hey, come on in.” I open the door wider to let the two women in.
“Hello, Harlow, this is my partner Molly. Molly, this is Brad’s daughter Harlow.” Emma introduces us while I hold out my hand, receiving a firm shake in return.
“Pleasure to meet you, Harlow. Your dad has told us all about you.” Molly is probably around the same age as Emma, with long, curly blonde hair and blue eyes. Her skin is golden like she spends time outside. Like Emma, she has an athletic-looking figure although she is slightly taller.
I smile warmly. “The pleasure is all mine, but I’m afraid I have no idea where anyone is.” A slight blush covers my cheeks. But just as the words leave my mouth, Dad appears from the set of stairs I haven't explored yet. When he sees the ladies behind me, his eyes light up. Damn it, Dad is crushing hard, how disappointing for him, but when I turn back, both ladies appear thrilled to see him too. Hot damn, could Dad be getting a sandwich of his own? He pushes me out the way and greets them both with quick kisses on their cheeks.
“Hi, I was coming to see if you were here and where Harlow was. The games room is soundproof. Come on, I’ll show you the way.”
I let him and the two women go first, but as we go down the stairs, there’s only enough room to walk two abreast, so Emma drops back next to me.
“How are you, Harlow? Brad told us all about what had happened. Is there anything we can do?” Wow, Dad must feel comfortable with them if he’s sharing all the goings on with them. When I look her in the eye, there’s no calculation or manipulation, which I’m familiar with from my mom, only genuine worry.
“Thanks, Emma, but nothing that I can think of. I just have to wait until someone finds a lead or they get bored and give up. Hopefully sooner than later.” The noise traveling up the stairs has me smiling. “I hope you’re ready for this. I have a feeling that the Summers take game night very seriously, ” I warn her, and she tucks her arm through mine, stopping me before we get into the room. Her brow crinkles with worry as her eyes flick from me to where Dad and Molly went.
“We’re nervous. We really like Brad, and him inviting us to spend time with his family is a big thing, but he’s told us stories…” She breaks off, and I pat her on the arm reassuringly.
“Trust me, Emma, you’ll be fine. The kids will be on their best behavior. You wouldn't have even made it through the door if they had not approved.” She releases a big sigh of relief. “I’m glad to hear you guys are interested in him. I had seen his interest in you on the first day, but when I heard you already had a partner, I thought he would be friendzoned. I’m happy he wasn't even if I don't want to think about logistics.” She giggles when I screw up my nose, and we continue down the stairs.
“If it’s any consolation, it blindsided us too. But we’re both interested in seeing where this could go.”
“Okay, but don't hurt him. According to the kids, he hasn't been serious with anyone ever. I think my mom did a real number on him.” She nods just as we enter the room, and I don't miss the hint of sadness in her eyes.
“Babe!” Oliver shouts, jumping out of his seat and practically running over to us. “Hi, Emma.” He gives her a kiss on the cheek, leaving her looking shocked, her hand raising to the spot he kissed as he drags me away. “You can be my lucky charm. Come sit next to me.”
