Page 104 of Someday

Shit. The last thing I need is the doorbell waking everyone up. I start typing as fast as I can.

She’s home. Exhausted but good.

Do you think we could get together? Maybe meet at Grinny’s…if that’s okay with you, Grinny?

I know it’s late, but I’d like to talk to all of you.

Grinny

Of course, it’s okay. I’ll put on a pot of coffee.

Sutton

Owen is up late tonight, and I can start a movie for him in the other room while we’re talking.

Grinny

He can just spend the night here tonight since I was planning to see him tomorrow anyway.

Sutton

Thanks, Grinny. We’ll be on our way within five.

Scarlett

See you soon.

I don’t wait to see if Callum and Wyatt answer. I write a note to Sofie telling her I’m going to Grinny’s and should be back before she ever notices I’m gone. And then I see her phone on the floor and put it next to the note on the nightstand.

Fred follows me around the room as I toss my clothes in the laundry basket and put on some clean sweats and a shirt. The flip-flops I keep by the door slide on, and Fred is on my heels as I walk outside. We’re at Grinny’s within minutes and it looks like Scarlett and Callum are already here. While I’m walking up the pathway to her front door, Sutton and Owen pull up, and Wyatt’s behind them.

“Impressive timing,” Wyatt says, squeezing my shoulder as he eyes me worriedly.

I put my arm around Owen as we walk. He’s got more energy than any of us, excited to be going anywhere after nine at night. The door opens and Scarlett stands there, motioning for us to hurry inside. Grinny and Callum are behind her.

Everyone looks so concerned for me, a heavy cloud over all of them except my nephew, that I can’t help it, I burst out laughing.

And when they just stare at me like I’ve lost it, I laugh harder.

“I’m sorry.” I hold up my hands, trying to get it together but failing because, the truth of the matter is Ididlose it when I realized she was gone.

It makes sense that I’m still not quite right.

“I’m so sorry to laugh, especially when you guys came running as soon as I asked. It’s that wholelaugh during funeralsaffliction. Except I’m okay. I really am.”

Sutton puts his hand on Owen’s shoulder. “Why don’t you tell everyone goodnight? Grinny said you can start a movie before you fall asleep. How about that? Best summer night ever, right?”

Owen’s nodding and doing a little booty shake as he gives everyone hugs. “Yessss,” he cheers. “Night. Come watch the movie with me if you get bored.”

I laugh and hug him. Once he’s gone to the guest bedroom, we walk back to the kitchen, where everyone grabs water or coffee and starts doctoring it the way we all like it. And then we head to the great room and spread out on the couches.

“Sofie didn’t come?” Grinny asks carefully.

“She’s asleep. She was exhausted from driving back from Texas.”

“Texas?” Scarlett repeats.

“I had an emergency call that took all afternoon and evening, long drive and all. And in the meantime, her best friend had an emergency. Sofie got on the quickest flight she could and called me on the way and once she got there too…I just didn’t get it until late last night and when I called her back, she was already sleeping. I didn’t know all the details until today and when I talked to Sutton, I was in a bad way. I assumed the worst.”

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