Page 87 of A Sky Full Of Stars

A vision of Lainey’s smiling face comes to mind, and the dull ache dissolves, until my phone rings a second time and I jump, throwing my hand out to grab it before it finishes.

“Lainey?” I rush out as I attempt to answer, trying to ignore the way my head spins. My ringtone blares in my ear, and I throw the phone beside me, realizing my mistake. “Goddammit. Get it together.”

Taking a deep breath, I wait until the room stops moving before leaning down to check the screen, focusing my vision so the name becomes clear. “Holy shit.”

I bark out a confused laugh as myheart clenches.

It’s Luke.

It’s fucking Luke and I thought it was Lainey.Jesus H. Christ. For once, luck is on my side.

Lifting the phone, I stare at Luke’s name screaming back at me, until it finally stops. I’ll call him back, but first I’m interested in the other Bennett.

Opening my notifications, I find a new message from Lainey and sigh in relief. After getting myself a glass of water, I fall back on the recliner and dial her number, a smile on my face as I wait to hear her voice.

Only it doesn’t happen.

My shoulders drop as the call goes straight to voicemail.

I should call Luke back, but it feels strange calling him right after trying to talk to his sister. Instead, I attempt to get up and make myself somewhat of a human again.

Twenty minutes later, I grab my phone to check if Lainey’s called when I notice the time.Holy shit.Noon. Why didn’t I check that before? Damn blackout curtains. I haven’t slept this late in years.

Rushing around, I throw my shit in my bag, and have just put my shoes on when the hotel phone rings. Considering I was supposed to check out an hour ago, I don’t have to ask to know what the call’s about.

“I’m coming,” I say by way of answer, an urgency to my tone. “Sorry, I overslept.”

“It’s okay, Mr. Kelly. We’ve been asked to let you know that the team bus is arriving in ten minutes.”

Shit. Shit.

I hang up and head straight for the door, only pausing to ensure I haven’t left anything inside, cringing when I see the state of the room. I’ve never been the guy that walks away from a mess, but I can’t be late for the bus. Mouthing a quick, “I’msorry,” as though that makes up for everything, I dash to the elevator, sucking in a breath as the doors open and three of my teammates appear.

“Thomas,” Ryker says with his typical cocky grin. “You look a bit worse for wear.”

I smile back, not giving him the satisfaction of knowing I’m hungover as fuck. “Nah, I’m good. Just had a few things to take care of this morning, so I’ve been rushing around.”

I start forming the kinds of excuses I could use if he asks, but when he lifts a brow before giving me one of those “good for you” knowing looks, I realize I’m off the hook.

“Is that why you snuck out early last night? Was it the blonde?”

“Nah, she was too desperate.” Not a lie—she was pretty full-on, but… “My girl has dark hair.”

Ryker nods and I nod back just as the doors open again, welcoming us to the lobby. We’re met by a sea of suits with most of the team already waiting before the bus arrives seconds later.

I made it.

Istill haven’t heard from Lainey by the time I’ve checked in at the airport, so I call Luke, needing a distraction while I wait.

He curses as he answers—nothing new—but his next word has me on edge. “Lainey?”

“What?”Why would he ask for Lainey?

“Fuck.”

“What’s going on?”

“I thought you were Lainey. I didn’t check the screen. Sorry.”

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