Page 122 of Rewind It Back

She doesn’t answer, but this time when I’m sent to voicemail, I don’t hang up.

“Hey,” I say quietly into the phone so no one else can hear me. “Just checking in.” I pause, closing my eyes. “Well, that’s not entirely true. I um... I talked to my dad, and I wanted to tell you about it. I know I haven’t talked about my family with you, but I want to. And honestly, my head is all over the place and you’ve always been the best at making it quiet down.” I’m about to end the call there, but don’t, continuing to say what I would’ve said if she answered. “I realized some things and I don’t blame you, Hal. I don’t blame you for not wanting to jump back into things with me now, and I don’t blame you for not telling me the truth all those years ago. And I’m sorry that I did blame you for so long. It’s strange being back here without you, and I’d really love to talk to you about it, so give me a call when you can. Okay?”

I end the call and go back to our text thread to find my message from earlier is still unanswered.

I find Wren’s contact instead.

Me:Hey, have you heard from Hallie lately? I’ve been trying to get a hold of her, and I know she’s at the firm, but she usually responds by now. If you hear from her, can you tell her to call me?

I don’t wait for Wren’s response before I rejoin my mom and Zee, leaving my phone on the table this time.

“Rio, I’m sorry,” my mom says again.

“Don’t be. I should’ve told everyone a while ago.”

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Yeah, of course. Big game tonight. Just got some nerves, that’s all.”

She rubs a soothing hand on my arm. “You’ll be great. Don’t worry.”

I continue to eat, but glance at my phone again, finding nothing from Hallie or Wren.

My mom gestures to it with her fork. “Who are you waiting to hear from?”

Nobodyis the answer that’s on the tip of my tongue. I’m about to say it before I stop and decide I don’t want to lie anymore.

Turning in my seat, I give my mom my full attention. “Hallie.”

Her smile slowly drops. “Which Hallie?”

“You know which Hallie, Ma.”

Her entire body stiffens, and I can visibly see every part of her go on high alert. “Why would you be speaking to her?”

Zanders stands from the table. “I’m going to give you some privacy,” he says before leaving us alone.

“Rio,” she pushes.

“Because Hallie lives in Chicago now.”

Her eyes go impossibly wide.

“She moved in next door to me, and I hired her to work on my house. She’s the one heading up the renovation on my place.”

“Rio, please tell me you’re joking.”

“I’m not.”

Her voice rises. “How could you do that to me?”

“I’m not doing anything to you.” I keep my voice steady. “And Hallie didn’t do anything to you either.”

“She didn’t tell me! She was practically my daughter, and she knew that your father was having an affair, and she didn’t tell me. How can you even look at her now?”

“She was nineteen years old and was probably scared out of her mind. Not that I know for sure because I never gave her a chance to explain herself. She knew something that was going to break our family apart. Something that was going to break your heart and something that was going to break mine. She’s not the one who ruined our family. Dad did that all on his own.”

My mom is shaking her head so quickly, as if she were trying to erase this entire conversation. “She played her part.”

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