“Dyllie was fussing on the monitor, just checking on him,” Liv calls back.
Mallory immediately follows her up the stairs, obviously worried about Dylan. I turn back to Tate. “I didn’t think of it until I was in the car. See? I’m really bad at this, which is why I drove right here. If I waited, I would forget again.”
Tate nods but the casual look on his face is slightly less casual than I would like. His light eyes are hyper-focused on me like he's not totally buying what I'm selling. I swallow. "I figured you would be going out so I thought I would just swing by here and look myself. I heard Olivia was here with the kiddo so… I think they might be in the office. They may have fallen behind the filing cabinet I left for you guys.
Tate groans. “We were going to go out but you disappeared and your brother was in a mood so we opted to come home and order in. I would have gone out if I knew you’d want me to move furniture.”
“I can do it,” I pause. “I mean I did do it, and they weren’t there. Anyway, I should get home.”
“Nash’s mood, you should know, was caused by you rushing out of there without doing press and without saying a word,” Tate informs me as I move through the cavernous living room and dining room to the hallway with the front door. “Coach was even kinda shocked you took off but then he heard something about your wrist bothering you.”
"Yeah, I wanted to get home and ice it and do some of the exercises the trainer gave me at the end of last year," I lie again. Gee, I am so good at this. Kind of impressing myself and embarrassing myself at the same time. "Anyway, I should go do that. Nice meeting all your relatives and I'll see you at practice tomorrow."
“Yeah. Sure. As long as that wrist is okay,” Tate says, genuinely concerned, which makes this worse. I can sleep fine when I lie if it’s to protect myself or others. But when people believe it so easily well, that doesn’t sit so easy. “Don’t overdo it. Tell Coach if you think it’s not ready for ice time. Better you sit out some pre-season games now than later when we need you the most.”
“I’m sure it’s fine.” I smile and give him a wave as I make my way to my car, forcing myself not to look back.
I do however look up at the house when I get to the drive and I swear I see Olivia looking down at me from Dylan’s bedroom window. But the curtain snaps back into place before I can be sure.
I drive home ignoring another call from Nash and wondering what would have happened if the Garrison clan hadn’t interrupted me and Olivia.
Chapter10
Liv
I'm staring at the number on the Vegas hotel stationary when there's a knock at my bedroom door. I know it's only a matter of moments until Tenley opens the door and I can't even be mad at her. She's going to be carrying my favorite Sprinkles cupcake with a candle in it. She's been waking me up on my birthday like this since we moved to Los Angeles together years ago. I don't hate it.
I tuck Crew’s phone number under my pillow and smile as there’s one more quick knock and the handle turns as soon as I call. “Come in!”
She starts singing immediately. It's god-awful. Tenley is so many things—smart, sassy, stunning—but she has the voice of a cat caught in a car wash. Hopelessly tone deaf. "Happy birthday dear Livvvveeeeee." She finishes moving the hand she was using to shield the candle on the cupcake from the motion of her walking to my bed. "Happy birthday to youuuuuu!"
I grin. “Thank you.”
“One salted caramel custard cupcake for the bestest cousin in the world.” Tenley smiles. “Don’t tell the others I said that. Now make a wish! And make it good.”
My mind instantly fills with Crew's handsome face propositioning me right before Tate and the others barged in. But I don't wish for a second time with Crew because that's not something that seems unreachable like a wish should be. All I have to do is call the number I have under my pillow.
“Oh Liv, please stop overthinking it.” Tenley urges softly.
I smile back guiltily. My eyes drift to my phone charging on the night table. There’s a voicemail on there from the police. Officer Morales, who was in charge of my case, left it last night but I haven’t checked it yet.
“Seriously Livvy I love you but you’re letting wax ruin all that expensive icing,” Tenley says and I close my eyes.
I wish that six months from now I’m happier than I’ve ever been in my life and every worry I have right now is gone.
I blow out the candle. Tenley lets out a cheer and hands me my treat. She crawls up and sits next to me on the bed. “So what’s the plan for today?”
“Mom got me a massage at the Beverly Wilshire Spa,” I explain. “So I have class and then I was going to go there and get that. I think I’ll even splurge on a facial. And then I’m meeting you guys at Marmont for dinner.”
"It's going to be so great." Tenley sighs with a broad grin. "I freaking love that place. So old-timey Hollywood and yet infested with young Hollywood at the same time."
“Yeah last time I was there I saw Robert Pattinson at the bar,” I remind her and she gives me the same jealous glare she’s been tossing my way since I first told her this story months ago.
“I still do not forgive you for not slipping him my number,” Tenley replies with a pout. “Now he’s in a happy relationship with a baby and shit.”
“Sorry I failed you,” I snark and she flips me the bird.
“That could have been me.”
