Another slow creak makes me jump. Was that right outside the door?
My fingernails clack against the screen before taking on a life of their own as I back into the living room.
“Hello?”The sing-song voice answers on the other end of the line.
“Hi, Jo. I hope this isn’t a bad time, but I was wondering if you had Hayes’s phone number?” My skin tingles after saying his name out loud.
“Yeah, of course. Is everything okay?” She must hear the nerves in my voice. This is stupid.
“Everything is fine. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have bothered you so late. Have a good night!”
“Wait–”
I don’t give her a chance to speak, ending the call before I can change my mind. What was I thinking?
Reaching out to Hayes would be opening a door that has been firmly shut for a long time.
My nails tap against my black phone screen as it starts to buzz, vibrating with an incoming call. It’s not a number I have saved.
My gut tells me that it’s Hayes.
My guilt forces me to ignore the call.
I shouldn’t talk to him.
But what if someone is outside? Kate’s upstairs.
That thought makes my stomach roll.
The same number pops up again, as my phone vibrates in my hand.
“Hello?” I answer under my breath.
“Liv?”
I ignore the relief that washes over me when I hear his voice, still too nervous to analyze that feeling.
“I shouldn’t have reached out.”
“But you did.”
I can only answer with silence.
“Are you okay?”
“It’s nothing.”
“What’s wrong?”
More silence from me.
“Olive.” His stern tone makes me squeeze my eyes shut. It’s been a long time, but I know that tone… It isn’t anger. It’s unyielding protectiveness.
It’s exactly why it was too easy to reach out to him.
“I’m babysitting at Thea’s, and I got spooked. I shouldn’thave called.”
“Are the doors locked?” The rumble of an engine nearly drowns out his voice, but I ignore the implication of that. He isn’t getting on his bike for me; he doesn’t even know where Thea lives.
