“I don’t know that I would call it lazy,” Leah chastises. “You’ve had things going on, El.”
“Yeah, yeah. Anyway, we saw you out walking and decided we should see if you’d let us join you. We can keep each other motivated and accountable.”
I think for a second and decide that I’d be okay with that. Sure, I like alone time, but I already have a lot of it. Maybe being around other people my age would be good for me.
We walk, making idle conversation. I add something here and there, but mostly listen. When we come to the fork in the path, I instinctively start to go right.
Leah stops me. “Can we go left? I love the scenery and the views.” So, we do.
We walk for a few minutes, and then we come upon a small log cabin.
“Oh wow. I’ve actually never seen any buildings here except for the main one,” I tell them. “I love this.”
“Oh, believe me, this is nothing,” Leah says. “Don’t get me wrong, it’s really pretty—but wait till you see some of the other houses.”
“Houses?” I ask.
“Uh huh. Harrison lives on the property. He’s the one who’s been here the longest. The guys own tons of acreage here. Henry lives with his family in the farmhouse Tillie’s grandparents owned. Harrison and Hayden both have gorgeous homes here. Holden is building his and Heath… Well, Heath probably has his primary residence in South Carolina.”
“Heath?” I’m confused as to who that is, and I’m sure it shows on my face.
Ellie and Leah stop and gawk at me.
“Heath, the youngest brother,” Leah explains.
I shrug. “I didn’t know there was a fifth brother. He lives out of state?”
“Yeah. Heath… Heath Aron.” Ellie stares at me for several seconds, then her mouth drops open. “Delaney, you don’t know who Heath Aron is, do you?”
“Um, apparently he’s one of the brothers.” I shrug. “Now keep walking, ladies. We’ve only got”—I pause and look at mywatch—“twenty-one more minutes to walk.” I resume moving and make it about thirty feet before I hear them as they catch up.
“Delaney, Heath Aron is one of the best players on the national football scene.” Leah sounds stunned that she’s sharing this news.
“Hmm. That’s nice, I guess.”
“Professionalfootball, girl,” Ellie says. “He’s a professional football player. He’s also smoking hot. Like panty-dropping hot.”
Irritation immediately fills me. She’s Harrison’s girlfriend, and I’m no goody-two-shoes, but her assessment of Heath seems shitty and disrespectful to Harrison.
“I figured that’s what you meant. That’s nice for him.” It comes out a little sharp.
She may notice because we walk in silence then.
A few minutes later, nestled in an opening in the woods, is a beautiful building. Well, not a building. It’s a house. Everything about it screams home. It’s a combination of log and red brick.
“Wow. That’s gorgeous.”
I don’t realize I’ve stopped and am staring until Leah chuckles.
“Yeah, we both froze in place when we first saw it, too.”
“This one’s Harrison’s,” Ellie says. “You should see the inside. It’s so nice.”
Something tightens in my chest at the familiarity in Ellie’s voice when she talks about Harrison, and the fact that she’s been in his house.
We resume walking, and I get lost in my thoughts. Leah and Ellie are back to carrying the conversation—mostly between them—which is fine with me. Seeing Harrison’s house and hearing them talk about him has put me in a more defensive mood than I was at the start of our walk.
Ellie really is lovely. She’s pretty, nice, and friendly. Not awkward, like someone I know. Sure, the way she talked about Harrison’s brother rubbed me the wrong way, but maybe that’s just a me issue. As if she needed more going for her, she basically has the job I’d love to have someday—andshe has the boyfriend.
