Page 39 of When Sky Breaks
Relieved, I crack a tiny smile to myself. “I’m driving home. You got a minute?”
“Of course. Graham and I are just finishing up work. How’s Foster?”
“He’s good. Tired and a little sick, but he’s taking the chemo well. Trek’s with him right now.”
“And how are things with that?”
I blow out a breath and signal for my turn. “Good. We talked, and I think things are going to be okay between us, eventually. But there’s more.”
“Shit. Like what?”
“Well, first off, Johnny showed up on my doorstep and got himself on Foster’s care team.”
She pauses before drawing out her words. “Wow. That takes some balls. Would that be considered swoony or a breach in confidence?”
I huff out a laugh. “I was shocked and maybe a little annoyed. But he’s been super nice and helpful. I guess all the doctors at the hospital are falling over themselves to talk to him about new treatment options for their patients or whatever.”
“So not swoony, and you’re trying to justify his behavior in some other way,” she says in a clinical tone.
I cringe. “Well, when you put it like that, I don’t know. It’s just, now that August’s back, I’m so confused.”
“What?” she shrieks, and I wince. “Why didn’t you lead with that juicy gossip? Back, back, as in back home or visiting or what?”
“He owns Snaps. He took over when Colonel retired, but he’s here. Permanently. I think. I’ve only gotten secondhand information from Trek.” The light turns red and I slow to a stop, leaning my head on the rest, trying to process all this along with Phoebe.
“Oh shit. For real? Girl, what are you going to do?”
It would be a lot easier if Phoebe knew the whole truth. She’d put her foot down and tell me to run away and never look back. When it comes to the heart, nothing is nuanced to her. It’s either you love me or you don’t, and your actions better follow. She would see August’s betrayal for what it was instead of what it is—a gross mistake, a cruel miscommunication, but one done out of pure intentions.
“I agreed to meet him for coffee.” Bracing myself for her lecture, I hold my breath.
“Are you sure that’s a good idea? I mean, you’ve been back all of two point five seconds, and you’re already getting back in bed with your ex,” she bellows through the phone.
“Phoebe! It’s not like that, and you know it.” My fingers dig into the corners of my eyes while I wait for the light to turn green. “It’s just coffee. And to be honest, August owes me some of his time for what he did.”
“He sure the fuck does.” Her severe tone drags through my chest like nails on a chalkboard. “Sky baby, you were so hurt. I held you for weeks when you cried over him. He stole your virginity and then skipped out to California without ever saying a goddamn word to you!”
“He didn’t steal it. I gave it willingly, but yes, I hear you.”
“Do you? Honey, listen, be careful, okay? I don’t like it, but maybe you two do need to talk. Just promise me you won’t jump back in bed with him.”
“Whoa, hold up. Again, you’re one to talk.” I scoff and accelerate quickly when traffic moves. “I haven’t even had sex with Johnny. I’m certainly not going to have sex with August.”
“Hey now, Judd was very convincing in high school. But high school is high school—that kinda stuff was okay. We’re adults now. The stakes are different.”
Passing all the old, familiar streets, I fight the pull down memory lane.
“There are no stakes here. I’m just trying to clear the air, that’s all. This anger is hard to hold onto. I’m tired.” August and I didn’t even say more than a few words to each other, and I’m worn out.
“I know you are. What I mean is, guard your heart. Please, just take it slow. I know when it came to that boy, he could do no wrong. Just remember how easy it was for him to leave. It’s all about the trust, baby, and without it, there’s no solid foundation. For even friendship, if that’s what you want. I personally think he can take a hike, but you knew him better than me.”
Every word she says is the truth, and I latch onto it as firmly as I can. “Maybe you should be a divorce lawyer instead of a corporate attorney.”
“Ha ha. I thought about it but was afraid I couldn’t be professional enough in court. Throwing punches at stupid clients is unfortunately frowned upon.” We laugh before she has to end the call. “Okay, I gotta go. Graham’s waving me over, but please keep me updated.”
“I will.”
Once I’m in my driveway, I put the car into park and press my head against the window, the cool glass searing through the warmth in my cheeks. Phoebe’s right. I need to guard my heart. August had a way of worming into it easily without having to do much work.