23
JILLIE
“Since that day in the hospital, I haven’t heard from Uncle Will. It’s only been five days, but still,” I tell the girls.
With the hour of my getting home, my friends invade. I’m so grateful for them. I really don’t want to be alone right now. Not with everything going on with Leo and not knowing much about my dad.
“I’m sure he’ll contact you as soon as he knows something,” Isla replies.
“Yeah, you’re right. I just wish I knew more about Dad’s condition.”
“You will. Soon,” Isla reassures me.
“Has he talked to you at all?” Audrey asks.
“I just said—”
“I mean Leo,” Audrey clarifies.
“No. I didn’t expect him to,” I admit though it hurts. Itreallyhurts.
“What an asshole. He knew you were in the hospital. He asked Brent and Carlos about you, but he can’t come to you? Screw him.”
I nod. “Yeah, screw him.”
Isla looks at me curiously. “You don’t sound too convincing.”
I sigh. “I just can’t believe he meant it.” Audrey looks like she’s going to argue, but I hold up a hand. “When we were together that night, it was personal. It wasintimate.I just don’t see him pretending that well. His dad’s the actor not him.”
“Ah, I see you figured that part out,” Isla notes.
“Imetthem. He introduced me to his parents.”
“Seriously?” Audrey asks.
“Seriously. This is why…” I sigh again.
“Then why?” Audrey questions.
I shrug. “I don’t know. Ella has to have something major she’s holding over him or something.”
I look at my girls, and I know I need their help, that means I need to tell them the secret about Ella.
“What?” Isla asks.
“Leo has something major he could hold over her head, too. Hers must be worse.”
“What do you mean?” Audrey asks.
I tell them the story.
“Holy shit!” Audrey nearly shouts. “That explains so much.”
“Mhmm.” I look at them both. “I need to find him.”
“I don’t know who it was,” Audrey tells me.
“Damn it.”
