Page 51 of Worth the Risk
Me: I think that would be a good idea. But please don’t tell Arianna yet. I know she’ll go right back to Luca, and I want to protect him as much as I can.
Claire: So he’s involved? It impacts his career?
Me: Yes.
Claire. Alright, girl. Text me when you’re heading over.
As I begin to pack my belongings, someone knocks on the door.
“Pixie? You home?” Luca calls.
I cover my mouth with my hand as a sob slips through. I desperately want to throw open the door and launch into his arms, but I can’t. If he finds out what Coach Woodward is planning, he’ll lose it. Lord knows Woodward is probably assuming I’ll tell Luca everything, and he’s waiting for Luca to attack.
The less Luca knows, the better.
I just hope I can keep everyone happy and safe.
Luca
Something is off.
I haven’t heard from Hannah all day, which can be normal because of how busy she gets with work, but I feel it in my bones that something is wrong. She said she’d try to sneak home at lunch for an hour, but I never heard from her. I don’t know what, but I have a weight sitting in my stomach telling me that something happened.
“Pixie? You home?” I call as I knock on the door.
No answer.
The problem is, I’m almost positive she’s home.
I also know her aunt showed back up today.
Caroline Davenport is an odd bird. More than once, she’s flirted with me. Her attempts at flirting are awful, but I recognized the attempt. Then she’d turn around and speak to me like I was the hired help. Other times, she’d be formal, as if we were work acquaintances who did the occasional happy hour function.
So when I saw Caroline as I arrived home early this morning, I figured Hannah would be kicked out fairly quickly. They’re just so different. There’s no way they could share a space peacefully. I intended to offer up one of my spare bedrooms to Hannah. Which meant she’d have somewhere to stash her things, and she’d be with me in my room. Because that’s where she’s supposed to be.
But I can’t ask her, if she won’t open the fucking door.
Why won’t she open the door?
“Pixie,” I say quietly, leaning my forehead against the door. “I know you’re in there. I saw your aunt. Tell me what’s wrong, bella. Let me in.”
I swear I hear a gasp, or a small sob, but then I second-guess my hearing. Maybe she’s not home. As I’m about to knock again, my cell buzzes with a text.
Arianna: Emergency brother meeting needed asap.
Me: Family or sister related?
Arianna: Luca related. Come to my place, please. And bring food.
Me: Can this wait?
Arianna: What part of emergency don’t you understand, big brother? EMERGENCY. Also it’s equally an emergency that I’m hungry.
Me: Hangry Ari is a mean bitch.
Arianna: I know. Better get here quick.
Stuffing my phone back in my pocket, I try once more to get Hannah to open her door. “I gotta go to my sister’s, baby. We’ll talk later. Work through whatever you’re working through, and then talk to me. Okay? I miss you.”