Friendship? [H.S.]

Chapter 89

*Song for this chapter: Satellite by Harry Styles*

July 2021

"Gem-MA, I'm going crazy."

"What? Why? I mean, you've always been crazy, what's sparking this now?" She's in the car. I didn't even think to see if she was alone... she would tell me if I was on speaker and someone else was there, though. 

"It feels really weird to not go to a job or have anything going on. I've also not been in one place for this long since I met your fucking brother and I think I'm stir crazy. I'm about to drive back across the United States just for the hell of it."

I heard her laugh, but I was being serious. My last therapy session ended with my therapist telling me that they can't tell me to not do something, but they could strongly encourage a healthier coping tool. I guess they're right, driving across the country was dumb in the first place.

I also have a job. 

Several. 

Sort of. 

Des helped me establish my own property management team and now I own 3 houses that I rent out full-time. I've also picked back up on social media management consulting and I'm working with Gentry again, but on more of a creative content line of work. I just help them organize the creative team and brain dump for campaigns. It's fun, but compared to what I had been doing, I felt like I was stuck because I don't have daily tasks I have to do or an office to go to... you know, like I legitimately work from my tiny home in someone else's backyard.

"I mean, I'm sure it doesn't help that you aren't sleeping." The tone in her voice let me know she was scolding me.

"I am sleeping."

"It's 4am there, Jana. You're not sleeping. Harry told me you all are still talking almost every night."

"We're talking about the tour. He's been sending me pictures of a property too." I could practically hear the eye roll. She never mentioned the incident, but I have a feeling she knew all about it, no one in this family can keep a secret from each other for too long. Well, it isn't that they can't keep a secret, Harry and I talk to all of them without realizing it.

"Either way, you need to be sleeping." She paused a minute and we both sat silently. "So, you're going on tour with him again?"

"I'm at least going to the first show."

"Stop lying. You both know you can't survive any more time apart. I'm genuinely shocked that he hasn't smuggled you on this trip with Olivia."

"Don't be weird."

"What is weird about the truth?" She laughed a bit, and I could tell she was out of the car now... don't judge me for being observant, it isn't creepy, is it? "Do you know how often he was winging about being here when you chose to not come with him?"

"No, I don't want to know either. Why are we talking about Harry? You called me."

"I know. You took over and I needed to make you focus."

"Ok, what am I meant to be focusing on?"

"I just wanted to check on you because you were sharing reels at 4am."

"Oh... Quit worrying, I'm fiiiine."

"Except you want to drive across the United States... again." We both laughed and went quiet for another minute. "Eat one of your magic sleepy cookies and go to sleep, J. I can't be there to take care of you so I'm going to have to tap Gentry in."