Page 82 of The Ex-Best Thing
“In our defense, we did try to call first,” Olive says, passing me and opening the fridge. “What do you have in here? I’m starving.”
“Mostly cereal. Benny can probably pick up some food for us if he’s free. I’ll give him cash. I’m trying to keep anyone from being able to trace my cards.”
My sisters blink at me. “No wonder you were so hard to find.”
“How did you find me?”
“We found Benny,” Zoey says. “Which was actually really hard, too. His house isn’t under his name. But Chip Paxton happened to know where Benny is, and when I said I wanted to send him some thank you flowers, he was more than happy to give me his address. So let’s remember to never trust Chip with a secret we care about, even if his heart is in the right place.”
Olive blinks at her. “I had no idea.”
Zoey studies her nails. “I’m discreet.”
I clear out my notifications and find Benny’s messaging thread.
Bree
Hey, big favor. Any chance we can get that recording studio tomorrow? I’ll pay as much as he needs. Hoping for a Tuesday morning release if possible.
There’s no immediate response, so I let out a sigh. “I ate at this beach bonfire party tonight, but you guys want me to find you some dinner?”
They nod, so I send another text.
Bree
Also, I need to feed my sisters. Do you have a minute to pick up some fish and chips? Or can I come steal the stuff to make them sandwiches?
My phone immediately rings, so I answer it. “Hey.”
“I was on the phone with my buddy down at the studio, and he said we can record tomorrow evening. Cleaners were there last night, so no one should bother us.”
“Thank you. Whoa.” I breathe. “I need to practice.”
“You’ve got this. As far as dinner goes, Colby brought home the extra pork from Peter’s party. I can bring over a few plates.”
“That’s perfect. Thanks.”
“See you soon.”
When I hang up, they’re both blinking. “What?”
Olive waves her hand toward me. “You guys are like…that sounded real.”
“Whose party was it?”
“Benny’s friend Peter. He had a birthday.” I slide into my messages and scroll to Noah’s thread to check in on Peanut, my dog. “Anyway, let’s move on now.”
“I want to hear about everything you’ve been doing here,” Olive says.
Immediately, I think about sitting in the dunes with Benny.Our kiss. The stars. The moment could not have been more perfect. A sweet finale to the most brilliant couple of weeks of my life.
“I’d rather hear the song,” Zoey says. “Well, both. I want to hear both.”
I’m listening to my sisters, but my attention is on my messages. After sending a text to Noah, I go in search of my mom’s thread. I don’t expect anything from my dad. He’s preoccupied with his soon-to-be bride anyway, so I’m surprised to find a message from him.
Dad
This isn’t the Belacourt way.
