Lena replied first, yawning into the phone,“Morning dipshit. Thanks for the wake-up call.”
Wren laughed.“It’s good to hear from you, Lena. I could've sworn you had forgotten about us.”
“No, seriously, what the fuck?”I said in agreement.
Lena sighed.“Listen, guys, it’s nothing personal, I promise. Truthfully, I am just shit at time management and literally forget to do all my important stuff.”
“Like calling your family?”Wren asked in a tone that was angrier than her normal.
“Yeah. Like calling my family. Since Dax and I split, I haven’t been coping well, so I put my heart and soul into work. Anyway…”There was a momentary pause on her end.“What’s new?”
I should’ve assumed she was handling that as well as he was. I should’ve checked in more. I know Wren had tried without any luck, but at least I wouldn’t feel this guilty.
Wren spoke first, updating us on how house hunting is going.“Do you guys remember that old woman we bought paint from at the farmers’ market? The one whose husband passed, and then we tipped her a bunch?”Lena and I both remembered. We reminisced about the memory and then urged her to continue.“Turns out she's Tucker’s grandma.”
My eyes widened.“What?”
“Yup. Don’t be mad. We made him keep this all a secret. But he owns her house now because she’s living in a fancy senior center now.”
I wasn’t mad, just completely shocked. Why wasn’t he living in her house? Also, the fact that Tucker moved back here from Juniper Ridge, Wyoming, to take care of his grandma, whom I met before I even knew him, was… weird. The universe wanted us together, or maybe it was just a coincidence rather than fate.
Wren continued talking.“It’s literally a block away from Harper’s house, and we have been talking about buying it from Tucker.”
Lena gasped on the other end of the line.“Wrennie! That’s amazing! What a big step! I’m thrilled for you!”
I closed my eyes, letting silent tears leave my eyes as they spoke to each other. This was how life was supposed to go. You fall in love, move out, you get married, have babies, and life goes on. But I had so many mixed emotions at the fact that it was my best friend, it was happening to. She was happy with my step-brother, so loved. Wren was basically going to be my neighbor, too, so we would be even closer. So, what am I so worried about? I don’t know why the little voice in the back of my head is screaming that she will forget me or find me immature and not want me around anymore. It made no sense. Why am I so emotional about this? I shoved the thoughts down because acknowledging them now was definitely not the right time.
I missed the majority of what they were talking about because I was trapped in my head.
“What about you, Harper?”Lena asked.
“Sorry?”
“How are you? What’s new, Pinkie?”Lena rarely used that nickname, but I appreciated the timing. I wondered if she knew my mind was racing.
“Oh, I’m okay! I can almost move back into my house.”My chest tightened at the realization. I would be moving back home. Alone.
“Yeah? Are you excited?”Lena seemed like she wanted to ask more, but didn’t.
“Kind of? It’s been nice not being alone. Going back to a big, empty house will be strange.”
Wren cleared her throat softly,“Have you three talked about moving in together? I know it is early for that, but I feel like most of the time you are all together. I can’t imagine how cranky Cam will be without you.”
I laughed. She was right. He was a certified grump.“No, Tucker’s hinted at them staying for days at a time, but we haven’t really talked about it enough. Plus, this is home for Cam, who am I to ask him to pack up everything and move?”
Lena spoke up,“Harpie, you’re his girlfriend. And when Wren leaves, he will also be alone. So, either you guys all live in your own homes and continue the relationship, or move in together and continue the relationship. But know you will never be alone. From the sound of it, this has gotten pretty serious.”
“Honestly, I think it is. This is definitely what we all want. It’s weird it happened so fast, but I guess when you grow up and know what you want, things progress quicker.”
Lena sighed on the other line.“I can’t wait to come home, guys. I miss you both so much.”
“Two years is too long, Le. We are here whenever you want to come home.”Wren replied almost too quiet.
I patted Chap's head as another wave of nausea rolled in. What the hell is going on with me?“And if you can’t come home, we are just a phone call away, honey.”
The bedroom door cracked, and Tucker’s head popped in. He was wearing a backward baseball cap, and his hair was a bit shorter. He must’ve gone and got a haircut. And oh shit.
“Hey guys, sorry I have to go. We will talk soon, okay?”We said our goodbyes, making a promise to stay in touch, and then hung up.
