“I’m not going to make these guys my livelihood. They are not going to be the reason I make it up there.”

“You idiot. They’re not. You’re successful in spite of them. Both of them. Honestly, I don’t know how you tell them apart, they’re identical.”

How could everyone be so blind?

“Frankie will get over it. It’s not like it’s his job.”

“He doesn’t want you here anymore than I do, Harp.”

“Gee thanks,” I muttered, dropping the towel and moving to the register as a customer approached.

“You know what I mean.” She smacked my ass with the towel I threw and moved to the espresso machine. “I’ll get his usual.”

During my mid-morning break, I sat with my yogurt and checked my phone.

My heart skipped a beat when I saw an unread message from August. I hadn’t heard from him since Sunday and was still hurting over his cruel words in the car. I knew he was just mad about Troy, but what was I supposed to do? I was falling for him. I felt it the morning I woke up in his arms and we watched the sunrise from the porch. And there wasn’t a thing I could do about it.

Not playing along with their game would be a good start. My conscience hadn’t been my friend for weeks now.

August: Are you free tomorrow night? I want to talk.

I nodded decidedly. Hope tugging at me. This was it, it had to be. But I just wished he could tell me now. Somehow confirm that this was him giving in and finally telling me he’s not Troy.

Me: Is this about the party on Saturday?

August: No. Can you come to the game tomorrow?

Me: I don’t have tickets.

A few minutes went by, and a message came through with a QR code confirming my seat reservation for tomorrow’s game. I smiled.

Me: No more signs?

August: No. I want to talk.

My entire body tensed at the ominousness of his message.

Me: See you tomorrow.

23. August

23

I left the office early on Friday to get ready for the game. I’d worked late the night before and my brain was fried. I was beyond exhausted. My arithmetic was off on that last account I worked on. But I was more than pumped for the game tonight.

And I needed to see her right after, planning on using the adrenaline from our win to tell her the truth.

My seats were reserved for her and a friend. It didn’t matter if she brought Nicole or Frankie, as long as she wasn’t bringing a date.

Harper was mine. And I wasn’t going to let my brother take her away from me the way he had everything else.