Page 140 of Rising Heat

Darcy

There’s just a lot going on.

Bex

Define a lot.

Bex

It’s the brothers, isn’t it?!

Darcy

Pilates is starting again…can’t have my phone out. Talk soon!

Bex

DARCY ELIZABETH REED you text me back right now or I’m calling your mother and telling her you’re in a throuple situationship.

Darcy

I’m not in a situationship!

Bex

SHE REPLIED

Darcy

Goodbye Bex.

Bex

I’m booking a flight. Don’t try to stop me.

I do want Bex here. That part’s easy.

The part that’s less easy is that Bex will show up, take one look at me, and have the whole thing figured out before she even gets in the car. And I’m not ready for that yet.

My phone buzzes four more times and I leave it face down and finish my water like a coward.

Later that afternoon, I’m sprawled across my couch with my laptop open and halfway through a branding deck when my screen lights up.

Mom appears first, composed as ever, like whatever she’s about to say has already been arranged into the right order. Dad materializes on the couch a second later with that gentle expression he gets whenever he’s preparing to play referee.

“Hi, Mom.”

“Hi, sweetheart. You look tired.”

“I just got back from Pilates, Mom.”

“You’re still doing that?”

“I like it.”

“How’s the apartment?”

“Still love it.”