Page 59 of Now That We Don't Talk

She’s not just some casual fling. She’s part of the Thomason family, just like me. If I mess this up or hurt Vivian in any way—it’ll change everything. It could drive a wedge between me and the people who matter most to me. I refuse to let that happen.

I came back for the offseason to reevaluate my life, to take a breath and figure things out. But now, everything has taken a completely unexpected turn. The one thing I can’t afford to do right now is make a mistake.

I’m not the best at asking for help, but I need it. One of the great things about being part of a team is that we rely on each other when things get tough. We work together to solve issues and challenges we face. So asking my teammates for an assist is what I need right now.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

VIVIAN

So, the secret is out.

Not that it was ever really a secret. Or was it? I don’t even know anymore. Everything feels like a blur, like I’m watching my own life unfold from the outside.

Mac sounded really upset when he called me, his voice full of frustration and disappointment. Kyle’s strong reaction has me perplexed too. I never thought he’d go against his ride-or-die, not when it comes to something this personal. But maybe I shouldn’t be so surprised. Kyle has always been protective of me, just like he is with Katie. I appreciate it, but in this case I’m not sure it’s necessary. Then again—he knows Mac better than anyone.

And I still haven’t heard from Katie. I wonder if Kyle has filled her in. My stomach is in knots at the thought, because this is something she should hear from me. But Kyle has never been one for keeping things to himself, so I have no way of knowing if the damage is already done.

I force myself to focus on work, but it’s a losing battle. My thoughts keep going back to Mac and the serious edge in his voice when he asked if I believed he was being sincere. I washonest with him—I had doubts at first. And if he had asked me before his spontaneous ice cream delivery, my answer would’ve been different. But something shifted after his conversation with Kyle. I could hear it in his voice—he meant what he said.

And if he didn’t, he deserves an Oscar.

Somehow, I make it through the rest of the workday, though I have no idea how. Everything feels like it’s happening on autopilot, and all my tasks somehow got completed. But my mind is miles away.

By the time I finally step outside, the sun is already dipping toward the horizon, casting an evening glow over everything. I slide into the driver’s seat and check my phone one more time. Still nothing from Katie.

Enough is enough. I can’t keep waiting around for the other shoe to drop.

Taking a deep breath, I call my best friend, bracing myself for whatever is about to happen.

"Hello?" she wails, her voice hoarse and scratchy, barely above a whisper.

"Hey," I say. "Are you okay?"

"I'm siiiick," she moans, dragging out the word dramatically.

"Oh, no. Did you eat at Dallin’s sushi restaurant?”

She lets out a raspy laugh, but it quickly turns into a hacking, phlegmy cough. She sounds awful.

"No way," she manages to choke out.

I sigh in relief. "Do you need anything? I can bring you some soup or a diet coke."

"It's okay. My mom already brought me some." She sniffles. "And Dallin is taking good care of me."

Of course he is.

"Okay, well…let me know if you need anything else," I hesitate.

She obviously hasn’t heard about Mac and me yet. And honestly, now probably isn’t the best time to bring it up—not when she sounds like she’s on death’s doorstep. After the way Kyle reacted, I have no idea how she’ll take the news, and the last thing I want is to send her into a tailspin when she’s not feeling her best.

A deep, chest-rattling cough erupts from the other end of the line, and I cringe.

"Alright, I’ll let you go," I say quickly. "I hope you feel better.”

She barely mumbles a response before more hacking takes over, so I end the call.

It feels strange not telling my best friend about my date tonight. This might be the first time I’ve ever kept something this big from her. And yet, something tells me waiting is the right move. At least for today.

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