Page 39 of The Rulebreaker
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“Don’t deflect.”
I don’t want to tell him about my relationship with Penelope. I like that it’s between us—that there’s a version of her and me that exists only between the two of us. One that nobody else has picked apart or weighed in on or accidentally ruined with their opinions.
Whatever our relationship is, it is so much more than love—it’s understanding one another in a way no one else ever has. At least for me. Maybe whoever Hazel’s father is knows all the little details I know about her too. Maybe she was his person too. Where the hell is he anyway? And why does it bother me this much that I don’t know the answer?
“We were friends. Two kids thrown together by their parents.”
“You used the word family at therapy,” Foster says, settling his hands on his hips.
“Which tells you there was nothing romantic between us back then.”
He seems to think about that for a second as though he’s deciding whether to believe it or not. He stares at me long and hard, though I’m not sure what he’s looking for. “You sure?”
I hold his gaze. “Yes.”
His gaze doesn’t shift for a long time, as if we’re in the middle of a staring contest. Or an interrogation.
“Callie told me I’d feel better if I just asked you.” He crosses the room. “Listen, Deck, I need to?—”
“It’s fine, Foster, let’s just go eat. I’m starving.” I shut down any more conversation on the Penelope front. “We’re past it. Let’s just move on.”
He stares at me for a moment in a way that makes a pit form in my stomach, afraid he’s going to ask me more questions.
“Okay.” And just like that, he lets the subject go, which is the most generous thing my brother has ever done for me, and I’m not sure he even knows it.
I take my suitcase, wheeling it out of the room, thankful I’ll be back in my own bed tonight.
At least one Davis twin has a woman who only brings out the best in him. That’s what matters. Foster deserves happiness and love more than I do. He had Dad growing up, which essentially means no one, and I had Mom, which was everything. The scales were never even. Now they’ll be balanced.
Chapter
Eighteen
Penelope
* * *
Hazel and I are pulling up to the curb of Riverside Park when my phone vibrates with an incoming call.
Elias. Leighton’s doctor friend, who has already canceled on me once. We’re supposed to meet for lunch tomorrow, but now I have a feeling that’s not going to happen.
I thank the Uber driver and usher Hazel out of the car onto the curb. Before I click on the voicemail, I tip my driver and leave him a review.
Grabbing Hazel’s hand, I lead her through the security gates of the park. This place was a find I’m not sure I’ll ever top. It’s secluded enough that we shouldn’t get too many passersby. The event is only for season ticket holders and their families—a place to meet the team, bring everyone together outside of baseball, and support local food vendors.
I show my pass to security, and we walk in.
Since we’re the first to arrive, Hazel runs over to the bouncy house.
I decide I might as well hear what Elias’s excuse is for canceling our date. Watching Hazel through the mesh window, I press the voicemail button.
“Hey, Penelope, I’m so sorry, I need to cancel our lunch tomorrow. The chairman of the hospital wants to do a tour, and I just found out. I swear I am not trying to put you off, and I really hope you’ll give me at least one more chance to make this date happen. Third time’s a charm, right? Leighton says a lot of good things about you. Please call me when you get some time. Hope to hear from you soon.”
I can’t really be mad at him, but it’s concerning how relieved I feel.
“Mommy, look!” Hazel jumps. “Look how high I can get.”
