Shared Interest

22: Making Calls

FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM @MorganGiglioBooks OR JOIN OUR DISCORD SERVER (LINK IN BIO) FOR EXCLUSIVE CONTENT AND UPDATES!

***

We each ate a bowl of cereal before settling on the back porch with our coffees. The morning air was cool and crisp, reminding me of the first day I had met Parker. I looked over at her now and my heart swelled until a pin prick deflated the overflowing emotion within me.

I reached over and took her hand, "I'm sorry for running away."

She glanced over at me, "You've already apologized."

"Yes but I need you to know that I really am sorry. I should've talked you but I felt like I couldn't trust you, which I will not apologize for that part, but the way I handled it wasn't fair, especially the Aria part." I stated, biting my lip as I looked at the grass wet with morning dew.

She gently cupped my cheek, forcing me to look at her, "Harper I love you and it was just as much my fault as it was yours. Let's just out it in the past and move forward okay?"

"Okay." I nodded, smiling brightly.

***

It was now pitch black outside, a small campfire the only light that illuminated the faces Talia, Parker, and myself. We had decided on enjoying the night being that it would our last at this safe house. Aria walked out of the house, two six packs of beer in hand with an evil grin.

"Look what I got!" She exclaimed causing everyone to turn.

She set them down directly next to Parker who was seemingly sizing her up from their proximity.

"Thanks." I mumbled, leaning over and grabbing two.

I handed one to Parker who reluctantly took it, popping off the cap before taking a deep sip while maintaining eye contact with Aria.

She seemed unbothered as she grabbed one for herself and then looked to Talia, "Would you like one?"

She nodded timidly and Aria grabbed another before walking over to her. Talia took it, laughing at something Aria whispered before the pair delved into conversation.

"So are you nervous for tomorrow?" Parker asked, looking down at me.

I shrugged, "I mean, nothing we haven't done before."

"I mean it is something we haven't exactly done before." Parker shrugged, "So have you contacted Colton yet?"

I shook my head and then took a deep sip of my beer, focusing on the dancing flames of the fire.

"Why not?" She questioned.

I shrugged, "I uh, I don't have a phone."

"You can use mine." She stated pulling it from her pocket before extending it out to me.

I stared down at it, "Uh, maybe later."

"Harper what's going on?" She pressed on.

I took in a deep breath and shrugged "I put him in so much danger asking him to meet up with me." I turned to look at her, feeling tears brimming in my eyes, "If it hadn't been your people or if he had shown up earlier, or a million other things then he could've gotten hurt."

"Harp, you would never intentionally do anything to put him in harms way. He knows that and right now he probably is worried sick." She stated, reaching out and running her fingers through my hair.

"Ugh fine, you're right." 8 grumbled, taking her phone from her hand, "I hate when you're right."

She grinned, placing a short sweet kiss to my forehead, "Go call him and we'll be right here when you're done."

I nodded, heading inside with the phone tightly clutched in my hand. Once in the kitchen I leaned back against the counter and dialed his number, shakily putting the phone to my ear.

There were three rings before a familiar female voice said, "Hello?"

"Hey yeah, Luna is that you?" I asked, her voice sounding deeper than usual.

"Who is this?" They asked.

I paused, "It's uh, me."

"Harper?" The voice clarified.

I smiled, "Yeah."

"Well well well, I have been dying to get ahold of you. I've had your brother for days now and I was wondering when you'd call." The voice stated evenly.

"What?"

"It's Sam, and boy was I glad you decided to come back to Seattle. It was a little odd though how you never showed to meet your brother, luckily I did." She laughed humorously.

My blood ran cold, my vision blurring, "What do you want?"

"Meet me where you were supposed to meet Colton in one hour. Come alone." She stated before the line went dead.

I let my hand fall, my heart beating out of my chest as everything seemingly happened in flashes. I ran to the front door, I grabbed the keys, got in the Audi and started it up. I looked out the front window to see Parker running towards me from around the side of the house. My eyes went wide as I put it in reverse and then peeled out of the drive, her screamed pleas muffled by the sealed windows. I clenched my teeth and hit the steering wheel as I hit the main road and continued picking up my speed.

I reached over, turning on the navigation and cursing upon seeing that it was an hour and ten minute drive. I clicked go, my foot hitting the floor as the world whirred by. I made great time, my focus faltering not once as I raced the night sky. As I pulled into the parking lot, I saw another car across the way with its brights on. I parked directly across from it, shielding my eyes as I approached.

"You're late!" Sam's voice called out.

I stepped to the side and finally could see her, a smug look on her face and tight fitting black jeans with a tighter fitting black sweater clinging to her body.

"I made great time all things considered, now where is Colton?" I asked, my voice stern.

She smirked and waved to the open back door "Get in and I'll take you to him."

I bit my lip but did as told without another word. The interior was extravagant, with red leather seats and black stitching.

Sam hopped in the passenger seat and smiled at me in the rear view, "Buckle up, it's gonna be a long ride."

I slung the belt over and inserted it into the buckle, feeling Parker's phone in my pocket as I moved. It wasn't traceable normally, but a long enough call could do the trick. I watched them like a hawk as I slid it out and carefully handed it over to my other hand closest to the door. I held the side volume button, turning it all the way down before unlocking it and turning the brightness all the way down. I went to contacts and pressed the first one I recognized, Aria's, before slipping it into the pocket of my jeans.

"So where are we headed?" I asked glancing up at Sam.

She grinned, "Now why would I ruin the surprise."

I rolled my eyes and rested my elbow against the door, watching out the window as we sped down the empty road.