Midnight Sky (Book 1/3 The Anderson Brothers Series)

Shame

Lauren

Putting my phone on the charger, I went and started making piles of my stuff. To be honest, I didn't want any of it. I don't know if he had someone touching. I heard my phone ringing again. Checking it, I saw Harper was calling.

Hello.

Hey babes. Hudson called me.

I'm fine, Harp.

You and I both know that's not true. I'm going to get a red eye. I'll be in Maryland early tomorrow. Hudson said he's taking you to my grandparents. We can handle the apartment. Don't worry about it.

Harper...

I'm not taking no for an answer. You know we're more than cousins, we're sisters. There's nothing I won't do for you and right now, you need me. That's what I'm here for. We're all here.

Thank you.

No need to thank me. You alright? Want me to stay on the phone with you until Hudson gets there?

I'm good. I'm going to call my dad back.

Okay. I'll text you. Love you.

Love you, too, Harp.

I needed to get out of this apartment. Calling my dad would for sure pass the time until Hudson got here. FaceTime, the preferred way to call someone in this family. I felt a knot in my throat waiting for him to pick up. The two rings felt like an eternity.

There's my princess.

He smiled and I couldn't help but smile back. Man, did I miss him. I hadn't seen my dad since March when I flew in for his birthday. It was currently June. I've gone longer than 3 months without seeing my parents and siblings, but it was hard sometimes. That's the thing about being on the road, you don't see your loved ones much. Regardless, my parents called and texted me every day. Right now, I could use their presence not just a FaceTime call.

Hey, dad.

Mmm, I don't like how you sound, Lo. What's going on? Rough flight?

No. Flight was fine.

He raised his brow.

Then what's going on? I can hear it in your voice and even though you're giving me a smile, it's a fake one.

He could always tell when something was wrong without me saying it. It always drove me crazy.

Lauren....

Yeah, dad?

Trouble with you and Carson?

He must've also talked to my mother.

You could say that.

What does that mean?

We broke up.

What? You literally just got back to Maryland. When did this happen?

Within the last hour or so.

He frowned.

Aw honey, I'm so sorry.

No you're not, dad.

What? Why would you say that?

You don't like Carson. Why would you care if we broke up? If anything, you're jumping for joy.

You're right, I don't like him. Still, I care about you and I don't want to see you heartbroken. So, what happened? Long distance too much?