Unexpected Rush (Play-By-Play #11)(91)

He heard the finality in her voice. The tremble and the hurt. He hated to have been the one to put that pain there. And by the words she said, it sounded a lot like “this is over.”

He wanted to say the words, to convince her he loved her, but she looked so hurt, her arms wrapped protectively around herself, that he knew anything he said right now would roll right over her.

She wouldn’t believe him. She wouldn’t hear him.

In a lot of ways, she was just as stubborn as her brother, especially when her back was up.

Now wasn’t the time for a declaration of love. First he had to fix the damage he’d caused.

He turned and walked out the door, feeling like the absolute * that he was.

He had to find a way to make this right.





Thirty-Six





Harmony had spent the past two days feeling absolutely miserable. She’d held on to the anger all day Friday, which had gotten her through the workday in one piece.

By Friday night, the anger had dissolved and the hurt had wedged its way in, followed by miserable tears.

She hated crying over Barrett. He so wasn’t worth it.

But he was. She loved him. She didn’t want to love him, but she did.

She also highly disliked him at the moment.

Along with her brother.

Deciding not to think about the male gender at all, she’d brought paperwork home and was buried in spreadsheets and pretty designs when her doorbell rang. She knew it wasn’t Alyssa, because although her best friend wanted to camp out with her and hold her hand through this, Alyssa had to work today and Harmony had refused to let Alyssa take the day off to hold her hand.

She didn’t need handholding. She could get through this.

She went to the door, surprised to see her mother there. She’d talked to her mom on the phone and assured her she was fine.

“Mama. What are you doing here?”

“I came to see my baby girl. Is that all right?”

“Of course it is. Come on in.” She hugged her mother and brought her into the living room.

“Do you want some iced tea?”

“I’d love some.”

Harmony fixed two glasses of iced tea, then sat on the sofa next to Mama.

“Now,” her mother said. “Since you’ve been avoiding me with all that ‘I’m okay’ nonsense, why don’t you tell me how you really feel?”

She sighed. Mothers really did know best. “I’m miserable. I miss Barrett, even though I’m so angry with him.”

Her mother patted her leg. “Of course you do. And why didn’t you tell me about the two of you?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess I kept waiting for the right moment. And that moment just never came around. Until he and Drake got into that awful fight.”

“Well, yes. And your brother. He and I had words.”

“Did you?”

“Yes. I made it clear that the head of the household has always been me, and that while I appreciate him being protective over you, that nonsense has to stop. You’re not a baby anymore and I’m tired of seeing him act like a bully. And if he doesn’t stop this behavior he and I are going to have more than just words next time. It’s a pattern, and an ugly one and I won’t have it from my son. I think I got my point across this time.”

“Thank you for that.”

“But as far as the rift between Drake and Barrett? I’m afraid the two of them will have to fix that.”

She shrugged. “I don’t even care anymore. Barrett should have told Drake about us right from the start. Or I should have. I don’t know.” She rubbed her forehead where a dull ache had made its home for the past day.

“It’s complicated. You have two men who have been friends for years. And trying to date a best friend’s little sister is complicated.”

Her lips curved. “That’s an understatement. Especially where Drake is concerned.”

“Give the two of them time and space to make things straight with each other, and don’t interfere in that. You and your brother have to get right with each other, too.”

Harmony nodded. “I know that. And we will. Eventually. I’m just so mad at him right now.”

“And you have a right to be. But you two will fix things.”

“I’m sure we will—eventually.” Mama wouldn’t allow anger to fester between Drake and her. She’d have to make up with him. But not now.

“And how about you and Barrett?”

She teared up just thinking about it. “It’s over.”

“Why is it over? Because he and Drake fought? Honey, that’s nothing to break up about.”

“Because he waited too long to tell Drake about us. Because he felt it necessary to keep us a secret. Because . . . I don’t know. I guess because he didn’t put me first.”

Her mother nodded. “I can understand that. You have a right to be mad as a poked hornet about that. Maybe Barrett’s just not the one for you.”

“Oh, he was the one, Mama. I love him. That’s why this hurts so much.”

Her mother sighed. “Baby girl, my heart hurts for you. I hope you and Barrett can work this out. God knows I love that boy.”

Mama pulled her into her arms and held her. It didn’t matter how old she was, there was nothing better than being held by her mother. She took comfort in the solid embrace. It might not fix things, but at this moment, she felt loved.