50
Harlow
On the back patio of his home on Ocean Front Walk, Harlow observed the tide. It was on its way out, exposing patches of saturated sand darkened by water. In the distance, sunshine gleamed on the water—it was nearing eleven, and there wasn’t a cloud to be seen.
The weather didn’t reflect Harlow’s mood. Heartbroken over having left Simon in Aurora, he averted his gaze from the water and looked instead at his phone. It had on-and-off been buzzing, and he’d been on-and-off checking it to see who was getting in touch. Evie’s agent, Pete, and her publicist, Samara, had been sending message after message, keeping him up to date on what was to happen with the next season ofHeaven, Lockedand the ensuing legal trouble with Justin. Evie’s lawyer, Frankie Deckard, had pulled strings and, alongside Pete, had schmoozed with the producers and their legal team. The result: Evie was signed for another three seasons—Justin would be in none of them.
But still, there was no text from Simon.
Harlow turned on the screen of his phone and scrolled through his notifications, hoping that maybe, just maybe, he’d missed Simon’s text amidst the chaos.
He hadn’t.
But there were some notifications waiting for him from the Single Dads, and if Harlow knew anything, it was that his friends could cheer him up no matter how severe his pain.
GlitterDoctor: It’s quiet AF in the apartment without @LoveHarley here
GlitterDoctor: Entertain me, Single Dads.
KnotMyProblem: Oh, you are a temptation
KnotMyProblem: They call me Knot. If you’re bored, how about you come on over and you can find out why…
TeenDad2: Knot omg!! Bad! We do not hit on the new Single Dads!
KnotMyProblem: You gonna tell on me to xV, TD?
xVerity: No tattling necessary—you’re all typing into the general chat. I can see it myself
xVerity: Also hujiiikh
xVerity: hkkkklllnkkkk
xVerity: jkkkllllpmmmmmm
Gwynning: Are you okay, xV?
TeenDad2: GUYS HELP HIM he’s having a STROKE
TeenDad2: GLIT, YOU’RE A DOCTOR! HEAL HIM!
GlitterDoctor: Alas, medicine has yet to transcend the physical limitations of space.
GlitterDoctor: I think we should start planning a funeral
TeenDad2: DIBS ON THE FLOWERS
Gwynning: Shit, I wanted the flowers
KnotMyProblem: DIBS ON THE CATERING
GlitterDoctor: Uh…. maybe I’m off my rocker here, but have you guys planned for a funeral before?
Despite his sorry mood, Harlow snorted.
LoveHarley: A Single Dad is usually at risk of death once every few months. Just thought you should know so you can jump in on the dibs game, too
TeenDad2: HARLEY!!
