Page 99 of Mad Love

“I’ve told her. I’m not sure she believes me yet.”

Sadie’s eyes widen.

“Can I put you on speakerphone?” I say, laughing. “Here, tell her.”

Felicity laughs and says it again, “You do not look like that.” And then softer, she whispers, “Those motherfuckers are messing with the wrong family.”

“Whoa, sis,” I laugh. “Better hope Owen doesn’t hear that potty mouth.”

“He’s almost got me trained, but not quite,” she says, laughing. “Seriously, Sadie, I’m sorry they’re going after you so hard. It’s ridiculous.”

“Thanks. I’ve laughed and cried and spewed curses about it. It’s just weird. I’m used to minding my own business and staying under the radar.”

“Yeah, no one should have to get used to this kind of garbage,” she says. “If you need to get away for a few days…or weeks, come anytime.”

“I might take you up on a visit sometime,” Sadie says. “And…the next time you’re visiting your parents or coming to a game, if it’s convenient…would you ever be interested in going shopping and helping me pick out cuter clothes?”

“Hell, yeah,” Felicity says. “Dangit, hi, Owen. Yep, go ahead and stick it in the jar for me. You’re bleeding me dry, Ace.” She laughs. “I’d love to go shopping with you. I don’t think you need me to pick out cute clothes, but it’d be fun to hang out.”

“No, I definitely need you,” Sadie says.

“You know who would be better at it than me and would love to come along too? Scarlett and Ruby. My clothes are all right and Marlow and Sofie always look great too, but Scarlett and Ruby have that eye for fashion. I swear, I can look at something and not see the potential at all, and they’ll look at it and pair it with another piece that makes itamazing.”

“I do not have that gift,” Sadie says.

“I’ve only seen you look fabulous,” Felicity says.

“Except for the sweat suit on most of the covers right now…” Sadie laughs and Felicity joins in.

“Except for that,” she says.

“I was having cramps. I wanted something loose.”

“See? I get that. Women everywhere get that. One sec, I’m just gonna look at the calendar real quick. Weston’s leaving Saturday, right? I don’t know what time he’s leaving, so it might depend on that whether you want to go Saturday or Sunday. But if I can get the girls together this fast, what if we come pick you up Saturday and go to Boulder? Maybe there’d be fewer photographers there, and there are cute shops, great food. Ooo, we could spend the night Saturday and then shop all day Sunday…what do you think?”

“That sounds so fun. I don’t want anyone to feel like they have to go...only if?—”

“Are you kidding? They’ll all want to go. We need a girls’ trip desperately and I need my Caleb fix.”

“Well, that would be…amazing.” Sadie looks at me with wide eyes and I smile, squeezing her hand.

“I’ll call or text later tonight once I’ve heard back from everyone, okay?”

“Okay. Thank you.” She clears her throat and I think she might cry. “This is really great of you, Felicity.”

“Sadie, I can’t wait to spend time with you,” she says.

“Love you, sis. Thanks for checking on my girl,” I add.

“My girl, heehee, I love the sound of that,” Felicity says. “Talk later. Bye.”

When we hang up, I put my arms around Sadie and hug her. She melts into me, and we stay like that for a long time.

“Does this mean you’ll come to a game?”

She smacks my arm, but it got a laugh out of her.

“I may as well, since they’re gonna be like this,” she says eventually, but I don’t think she’s convinced.

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