said a quick, “Chh.” All of which I’d copied from the Dog Whisperer.
Channing instantly obeyed. He stopped barking and plopped down on his butt. When he quieted down, I heard Holden’s truck door open and I leaned my ear against my front door. I hadn’t eavesdropped since I was a kid, but Molly and I used to be really good at it. I sank down to get closest to the doorknob, which we’d discovered was the sweet spot for optimal audio quality.
“Hey!” He didn’t sound happy to see her, which made me feel like I could breathe a little bit. “What are you doing here?”
“I needed to talk to you. You weren’t returning my texts. For months.”
Yes! I inwardly did flips.
“I’ve been dealing with some stuff. What’s up?” He sounded tense, but friendly.
There was a moment when I couldn’t hear anything, and I tried to push my ear harder against the wood. What was going on? Were they saying something? Hugging? Or worse, kissing?
Finally, I heard Luciana ask, “Can we go inside?”
No! My inner voice screamed.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea. I have a girlfriend.”
Yes! I had to cover my mouth not to squeal with glee.
“I’m pregnant.” Luciana said.
I pressed my ear harder to the door.
“You’re what?”
“I’m pregnant,” she repeated.
That was the last thing I heard. I assume they went inside but I didn’t hear his door open or close. All I could hear was a sound like rushing water in my head. I sank all the way down to the floor and my breaths were coming in really short pants.
I’d hyperventilated once before a competition when I was ten, so I recognized the signs. My lips were numb and I was dizzy. I was trying to slow my breathing but no matter what I did it was getting shallower and shallower. I tried to think where I would have a paper bag, that’s what I’d used when I was a kid. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d even seen a paper bag.
I was really starting to panic that I might pass out, although maybe it wouldn’t be so bad. At least if I was unconscious, I wouldn’t have to deal with what I’d just heard.
Channing must have sensed my stress because he laid his head on me. The weight of his body anchored me, and I felt my heart rate start to slow. I started petting him and my body began to relax.
I was just starting to calm down when my phone buzzed. I pulled it out of my purse, hoping it would be from Holden. Which was ridiculous, he was a little busy right now. It was a text from Molly.
Molly: Chips and Channing! Chips and Channing! Chips and Channing!
Seeing the icon of my sister’s face made me want to cry. I wanted to call my sister and tell her I needed her. I wanted to go back to the party and tell her exactly what I’d overheard. But I knew I couldn’t do that.
If I told Molly, she was so drunk she’d tell someone, and they’d tell someone and pretty soon everyone at the sleepover would know about Holden, Luciana, and the baby and that’s what the whole night would be about, and maybe even tomorrow. This wasn’t about me or my drama. It was about Maisy. I had to put everything I’d just audibly witnessed out of my head.
I was the MOH. Sunday I could have the nervous breakdown I deserved. Tonight, I had to suck it up, go back to the party, and pretend like nothing had happened. Tonight it was all about chips and Channing.
Chapter 32
Holden
“What comes easy won’t last, what lasts won’t come easy.”
~ Maggie Calhoun
I checked my phone again to see if Olivia had called me back yet. She hadn’t. Last night, I’d texted her and told her to call me as soon as she got a chance, I never heard from her. I’d tried to call her several times this morning, but my calls kept ringing and then going to voicemail. Which meant she was sending them to voicemail.
“My car’s here.” Luci looked up from her phone and put on her oversized sunglasses. “Thanks again, for talking to me and letting me crash here.”
“Sure.”
“I wish I could’ve met Olivia.” She stood up and grabbed the handle of her overnight bag. “She sounds amazing!”
“She is.”
“Well, maybe next time.”
“Maybe.” I nodded.
“I’m happy for you.” I knew that she was, we didn’t lie to each other.