Page 36 of Edge of Unbroken

I smile at the pink hue making Steve’s cheeks look flushed. “Yeah, okay, I think it’s your turn to pick someone,” he says.

“Oh, right. Kitty Cat,” Vada says.

I shake my head. “I knew you’d pick me,” I grunt, making everyone laugh.

“Truth or dare?” Vada asks.

“Dare,” I say on a whim.

“Alright,” Vada says proudly, then takes a moment to think. “Okay,” she says with a wicked grin, and I’m immediately concerned. “I dare you to call Ran right now.”

Everyone around us falls silent.

“Vada, I can’t do that,” I say, slightly panicky. I’ve had so much to drink tonight that I don’t think I can handle another drop of alcohol lest I want to spend the rest of the evening on my knees in front of the toilet or in the hospital getting my stomach pumped. But I also know from my conversation with Ronan that we’re only allowed to talk on Sundays.

“Yes, you can,” she says. “Just a quick call to wish him a Happy New Year; tell him you love him.”

“What if his grandparents answer? What if I wake everyone?” I ask, nervous energy coursing through me.

“Then you use your sweetest, most convincing voice and get them to let Ran talk to you for a minute,” Steve chimes in, his voice soft. “Plus, it’s already Saturday here, which means it’s almost Sunday, so it’s really your day to talk to him,” he says with a mischievous grin that reminds me so much of Ronan.

“You’re on her side?” I ask him incredulously.

He nods. “Yeah, kind of. I’ve told you how I feel about Ran not getting to talk to anyone whenever he wants to. Look, I know my grandparents; my grandma loves you. She’ll let you talk to him for a second. Just tell her that it’s New Year’s and you miss him, and you just wanted to hear his voice for a few minutes.” Steve shrugs.

“God, you people are the worst influence,” I whine, but nonetheless pull my phone out of my back pocket. I take deep, steadying breaths as I scroll to find the number Ronan called me from just five days ago—the first time we got to talk in almost two months.

“On speaker!” Vada demands.

I crease my brow but comply. Everyone’s voices are hushed, though the noise from the house still wafts to the deck. I’m not at all convinced I’ll manage to talk to Ronan tonight.

The phone rings for a while, and I’m about to hang up when it’s answered.

“Soult Ranch,” a sleepy woman’s voice says on the other end, and I instantly know I’m speaking with Ronan and Steve’s grandmother.

“Hi Mrs. Soult,” I answer, a nervous tremble in my voice. “This is Cat. I’m so sorry for waking you.” I feel bad because I know their nights are short and, judging by the sound of her voice, she was obviously asleep.

“Oh my goodness, Cat!” Saoirse Soult exclaims, her voice happy. I smile, looking at Steve, who watches me intently, the corners of his lips curving up. “It’s so lovely to hear your voice. My goodness, are you doing okay, sweetheart?”

“Yes, I’m doing fine. How are you?” I ask politely.

I’ve always liked Ronan’s grandmother. I remember him telling me that she’d check up on him once a month while he lived in New York, and when I met her in the hospital it was clear to me how much she loves her family and grandsons.

“Very well, thank you!”

I stay silent for a second, feeling awkward.

“Mrs. Soult, I’m sorry to call so late. I know the rules about talking to Ran, but do you think there’s any chance I could talk to him for just a couple of minutes?” I ask her, my eyes closed as I anticipate her response. “I miss him so much,” I say, and my voice cracks. I’m not sure why I suddenly feel so emotional—if it’s the alcohol, my nerves, or the fact that it feels like Ronan is so damn close, like if I reached my hand out I could touch him.

“Oh, sweetheart,” Saoirse says, her voice soft, caring. “Ronan’s asleep right now.”

I sigh heavily.

“But, okay, let me see if I can’t wake him really quick.” I detect mischief in her voice. “And maybe we’ll keep this little call of yours to ourselves—make an exception since it’s New Year’s Eve.”

I hear her quietly walk across what sounds like hardwood floor.

“He was so happy when he received your letter,” Saoirse whispers, making me smile.

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