Page 42 of The Accidental Text

Crap. I didn’t mean to go there. “I … may have been texting my mom about Dawson.”

Hannah swipes a hand down her face. “So, to recap. You’ve been texting your life issues to Katherine Cooper’s phone, only her number is now owned by some dude named Chase, who also lost his mom, and now the two of you are like besties and he’s giving you men advice?”

“When you put it like that …”

She lets out a breath, slowly, through her nose. “Mags, this whole thing is above my pay grade.”

“I know.”

“Okay, I’ll bite. What did he say about Dawson?”

I smile. “He said that men are dumb.”

“He gets points for that.”

“And that I have to spell it out for him … if I ever get another opportunity.”

“Right,” Hannah says. “He’s right. I’m gonna get the scoop on Saturday; I’m ready to be your wingwoman.”

“Well, it will probably be pointless.”

“Or I’ll be right and I get to rub it in your face.”

“We’ll see.”

We sit there in silence, doused in the warm yellow hue from the light hanging over the dining room table. I pick at my nails while Hannah twists her faux-diamond earring around in her ear.

“I just want to know,” she says after a bit. “Just for my own personal knowledge.”

“Yeah?”

“Did you … was I not …” She takes a breath. “Was I not there for you enough? Is that why you were texting your mom’s phone?”

I feel my stomach fall. “Han, no,” I say, reaching over and touching her arm. “I just … I was feeling so many things, and there really wasn’t anyone I could talk to about it, you know? Not even my family.”

“I guess,” she says. “I just want you to know that I’m here, any time you need to talk. I may be cold and heartless, but not when it comes to you.”

“I know that,” I say, rubbing her arm. “I love that about you.”

She gives me a small smile. “Come on. Let’s go raid my mom’s closet.”

I feel my stomach fill with warmth. As different as my life has become, some things never change.

Chapter 13

Chase:Distract me

It’s Friday evening and I’m sitting in my office; most of the staff has gone home already. Only one day until the big party, and I’ve spent most of it being ordered around by Chelsea. Long story short, she’s about to have a panic attack.

It’s because she wants the whole thing to be perfect. Our dad has high expectations, and rather than just realizing that those expectations can never be met—which is how I think of it—she’s doing everything in her power to meet them. The thing is, no one actually knows what my dad’s hoping for; he’s only said he wants it to be fun. And that maybe we should have a clown. That part is definitely not happening—Chelsea has her limits.

I also think the three of us are a little on edge because June is coming. It’s adding a big dose of awkward to the whole experience.

Maggie:Distract how?

Chase:I have no idea. I was just considering distracting myself with some alcohol and thought I would text my old friend Maggie instead.

Maggie:Old friend?

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