Hard Hit (IceCats 3)

When my assistant comes over the speakerphone, I stop typing to listen.

“Ms. Raventorn, Ms. Pearce is on line two.”

“Thank you,” I say, hitting the number two button. “Hey, lady.”

“Hey,” Aviva says, and I can hear in her voice that she has been crying. “Did you see the picture Callie put on Snapchat?”

I reach for my phone. “Not yet.” I bring it up, and I smile. She’s living her best life, grinning from ear to ear in the middle of the quad at her college in her competition leotard. “Oh, Veev. Look at her.”

“I know. She’s so happy,” she says, and then she breaks into a sob. “I’m so proud of her.”

I grin. “Aw, don’t cry.”

“I miss her so much.”

“I know. I’m sorry. But look at her! She’s doing things!”

“You’re right. I hate being apart from her. I feel like I’ve lost my legs.”

I giggle. “Understandable. It’s only been you and her.”

“I know, and I’m about to drop this kid, and who is going to help me?”

“Me,” I say simply.

She scoffs. “Whatever. You’re in a relationship now! I’m all alone.”

“You do realize you have a fiancé, right?”

“Who is traveling. I’m so lonely.”

My heart drops. “Oh, Veev. Come on. You’re not lonely at all. I just saw you yesterday.”

“For like an hour. Then you had work, and then you went to see Celeste—”

I know my best friend. I know when she needs me. She doesn’t ask for help, nor will she say she’s struggling. It turns into jealousy for her, and I know that. So, without thinking, I ask, “Want to come over tonight? Have a sleepover?”

“Yes, please,” she says in the smallest voice. “And I want to never talk about this needy part of my pregnancy.”

“I don’t even know what you’re speaking of. All I hear is my best friend wanting to hang with me.” Another sob leaves her, and I grin. “It’s okay, Veev.”

She inhales a shaky breath. “I know, I know. Distract me. Did you run Willa over with your car yet?”

I snort. “No. I’m ignoring her.”

“Good plan. Has she said anything to Feliciana?”

“Not to my knowledge. And I hope it stays that way.”

“Me too, or I’ll run her over.”

I laugh as I shake my head. “It’s like a whiplash of emotions with you.”

“I know. I’m a mess.”

“It’s okay. I love you, no matter what.”

“Good, ’cause I think Nico might leave me.”

“Oh, be real,” I demand. “He worships you.”

She lets out a long sigh. “Jesus, I need to have this baby.”

“Agreed.”

Aviva giggles sweetly, and I hear something rattle, maybe a pan, as she asks, “How’s it going with Kirby? Is he still dreamy?”

“Absolutely,” I gush, grinning from ear to ear. “He comes home tomorrow. I’m really excited.”

“I bet. Nico says Kirby is all gooey for you.”

“Gooey for me, you say? I like that. Speaking of Nico, does he still hate me and doubt me?”

“Jay, he never hated or doubted you. He just gets in his feelings about his best friend.”

“Yeah, whatever. He was mean.”

“I know. I’m sorry,” she says, and then her voice breaks. “He can’t control his emotions sometimes. You have to be patient with him.”

I grin. “Funny, Callie said something along the same lines. You guys are so cute, all protective of each other.”

“Because that’s love.”

I don’t know why that statement hits me the way it does. Straight in my gut. I realize how I acted about Kirby toward Willa could be classified as love. Though, we won’t be discussing that. “You’re right.”

“He’s a good man, and he’s really happy with how happy Kirby is.”

“Me too,” I agree, smiling so hard. “He makes me very happy.”

“That’s all we want,” she says softly. “For you and him to be happy.”

“Done deal, sister.”

“Question,” she says then, and I raise a brow.

“Yes?”

“Do you think you should say something to Feliciana?”

“Huh? I thought we moved on from all that.”

“Sure, but I’m back now. I don’t know, I just think maybe you should tell her that you’re dating Kirby, to cover your bases.”

“I don’t think it’s anyone’s business, honestly. Plus, I don’t want to jinx us. I say we’re together, and boom! Someone fucks up, and we’re apart.”

“Or you tell her before Willa can, she is supportive, and nothing can break you two.”

“Or I tell her, she says it’s my job or Kirby, and then I’m going to be the one having an emotional breakdown because I honestly don’t know what I would choose.” When I’m met with silence, I replay what I just said, and then I’m speechless. “Did I really just say that?”

“Oh. My. God. You sure did, Jaylin Raventorn!”

“Don’t read into that.”

“Oh girl, I’ve already read it like a book. Are you in love with him?”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa. Pump the brakes, Aviva. I’m not like you, falling for someone in ten minutes.”

“What? It took forever for me to admit I loved Nico.”