Page 13 of Hearts on the Line

“I just want to know if you’re safe and happy, Sunny.”

Tears well in her eyes as she peeks up at the ceiling and lets out this lifeless laugh. And that’s what guts me. Not the giant engagement ring on her finger. It’s that hollow sound and the red-rimmed eyes, and how fucking lost she looks at me now.

She’d hate it if I said anything else, so I don’t. I stand opposite the island from her, holding up the world as I wait for her to explain. The least I can do is give her space.

“That’s just like you, isn’t it?” She wipes at her nose before she swipes for her wine. She doesn’t jump this time when the glass rattles against the counter. That’s how she’s always found her strength—in the slip of a minute. “I’m safe,” she whispers before she digs back into her pasta.

Behind us, the crowd roars on the TV as someone hits a home run, clearing the Green Monster. Wally jumps up and wags his tail, excited. I just keep peeling the label on my IPA.

“I couldn’t do it, Ethan,” she says between bites. “Mom wanted me to, of course. And I almost… god, I almost let her make the biggest decision of my life because, of course.” She pushes her plate away, buries her head in her arms on the counter, and groans.

“Want to talk about him?”

“No.”

Good, because I don’t either. I keep that to myself though.

“Is he going to be coming by anytime soon?”

Her head snaps up, and the tears in her eyes sit there, full and ready to roll down her cheeks. But they cling to her eyelashes, and I’m not convinced it’s just because she’s so stubborn and she’s willing them to stay put.

“No one knows I’m here. I jumped into my dad’s car before the ceremony and drove until the damn thing broke down.”

“No one’s called?”

“Everyone has. I don’t feel like talking to anyone right now.”

“Maybe text them to at least say you’re safe.”

“You think my mom cares about that? She’s probably mortified she had to announce the wedding was off to all her friends.”

It takes everything inside me to remain as uninterested as possible. All I know is that I would be worried. I would want to know. But that was always the problem, wasn’t it?

My life changed that day years ago because I put myself between Sloane and her problems. Merritt Point wasn’t exactly forgiving, and things cooled off real quick between me and Sloane as soon as Officer Paterson pushed me into the back seat of his patrol car.

“You matter, Sun. I bet they’re worried.” I push off the counter, ready to end this before it gets any messier.

“Listen, thanks for the couch and everything, but I’ll figure out somewhere else to stay while my car gets fixed. I don’t want to⁠—”

“It’s fine.” The words come out sharper than I mean them to.

She nods, looking anywhere but at me. “Right. Well, good night then.”

I whistle for Wally to come to bed, but he refuses to budge from his spot watching the game. Traitor.

That’s the thing about loving someone who never looks back. With enough practice, you learn how to walk away like it doesn’t kill you every time.

Chapter 5

Sloane

You matter.

The soft way Ethan had declared that last night, so easily, when the rest of the world wouldn’t agree, just pissed me off.

I heard him leave this morning just before four. I rolled over and groaned when he told me to keep sleeping, ready to toss the pillow at his perfectly handsome face if he kept talking.

How the hell did he get better looking since high school? The smug asshole must have known it, too, cooking me supper, letting that slutty compass thigh tattoo of his poke out from beneath his shorts as he stood across from me and asked why I was here.