It rang almost immediately. As panic filled her, she stared at Zack. Maybe she wasn’t ready for this.
“I have your back,” he whispered, resting a hand on her knee.
Holly accepted the call and put it on speaker. “Jason?”
“Holls, it’s so good to hear your voice.”
With her emotions already so high, the sound of her beloved brother’s voice about did her in. Zack must have sensed it because he moved his hand to the table and laced their fingers.
“How are you?” she asked, though her voice came out raspy.
“Finally done with the semester. I’m headed to Florida with some friends for the Christmas break.”
“That sounds like fun.” Holly was glad she sounded more normal. “It will be nice for you to spend time in warmer weather.It’s been crazy here. The weather can’t make up its mind whether to be warmer than normal or unusually cold.”
“Well, I guess I should just get right to it.”
She pinched her eyes closed, shaking her head as her stomach tightened, and she worried she might lose her dinner. Then Zack’s grip tightened just a little, reminding her he was there.
“Why are they making you be the middleman?” she asked.
“Would you take a call from any of them?” He sounded surprised.
“To be honest, no. And if I found out you had given my number to them?—”
“You would have blocked me too,” Jason interrupted.
“Yes.”
“Which I would never do. I promise. But I discovered this afternoon that last week, while I was in the restroom, Ivy got into my phone and found your information.”
Holly stiffened, her body flushing with anger at her sister’s presumption. “I’m not surprised she would betray your trust too.”
“A lot has happened here lately.”
“I don’t care,” Holly broke in before he could say more. “They’ve shown their true colors, and I refuse to keep toxic people around me.”
“Even if they’re trying to change their ways?” Jason asked, his voice pleading.
“And what makes you think they’re doing that?”
“Some of this I think would be better if you heard it from them directly.”
“No. I closed that door a long time ago, and for my well-being, I need to keep it shut.” It pained her to say the words, but deep in her heart, Holly knew they were completely true. It terrified her to give them the power to hurt her again. Her self-esteem had taken an enormous hit the day her parents had stood in defense of her cheating sister.
“I don’t know that you have a choice. I’ll tell them, but I have to warn you. They’re pretty determined.”
“What do you mean?” Holly asked, shocked at what he might be suggesting. “Are you saying they could come here even after I made it clear I wouldn’t see them?”
“I’m saying exactly that. When they told me their plans, nothing I said made any difference. Look, I’m leaving in the morning for Florida, but I wanted to warn you that you could have some visitors. I can only hope common sense will prevail, since there’s a forecast for a severe storm. I’m really sorry and please know that I love you, Holls.”
“I love you too, Jason, and thank you. Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas.”
Her brother disconnected the call.
“Do you think they’ll really come?” Zack asked.
