Page 143 of Crossed Wires: The Complete Series

“I know. I want to tell you. I need to tell someone. I can’t talk to Andrew because he feels guilty about it. Listen. I’m sorry I called. I can tell you’re having a great time and I really didn’t mean to bring you down or ruin your trip. I’m just having a pity party tonight. I’m sure things will be better in the morning.”

Harper’s tone didn’t match her words. Amy couldn’t help but think the morning wasn’t going to be much better for her friend. Had she inadvertently unearthed some best-buried can of worms with this damn life-swap idea?

“If they aren’t, call me. Or text. I’m sure we can figure this out. Somehow.”

“Okay. Give Andrew my love.”

Amy felt sick to her stomach. “Sure.”

“Goodbye, Amy.”

“See you later.” Amy tapped End on her iPhone and tried to figure out what the hell she was supposed to do now. Harper had asked her not to tell Andrew she was upset, but this secret wasn’t sitting as easily on her shoulders.

* * *

The phone conversation returned to her at various times during the day. She’d tried to concentrate on the baseball game, to let herself enjoy the moment and Andrew’s hilarious, over-the-top, maniac-like devotion to his Sox, but she couldn’t shake her worrying.

All day long she kept asking herself what Andrew would say if something truly bad had happened to Harper at Farpoint and he discovered Amy hadn’t told him.

He’d never forgive her. Bloody hell, she’d never forgive herself.

“Earth to Amy.”

She blinked a couple times, letting her vision focus on Andrew once more. They’d returned home from the game an hour ago. Andrew had offered to make her dinner at home, as neither of them wanted to spend their last night together in some crowded restaurant. They’d eaten most of the meal in silence.

It was the end. Amy’s chest tightened. They would say goodbye tomorrow morning, most likely forever. “Sorry.”

“What’s going on, Amy? You’ve been lost in the Twilight Zone most of the day.”

“I’m worried about Harper.” She hadn’t meant to blurt it out so abruptly, but something told her Andrew needed to know what was going on. Maybe he could shed some light on the demons Harper alluded to, so Amy would know if she needed to call Keith.

Several times today she’d considered texting him to see what the hell was going on, but something held her back.

Andrew scowled. “Why?”

“She was a little upset this morning when she called.”

She’d never seen such a dark expression on Andrew’s face. Not even during his confrontation with Schuster at the club the previous night. “What the fuck did she say? What happened?”

Andrew rose from the dinner table, pacing to the counter. He slapped his hand on the smooth surface and she jumped. “Goddamn it. You swore to me she was safe. That she was happy.”

“She is. Or was. I don’t know what happened. She wouldn’t say.”

Andrew stopped listening. He pulled his cell out of his pocket and dialed. No doubt he was calling his sister. Amy’s gut told him she wouldn’t answer.

Pure anger radiated when he spoke. She’d been right. He’d gotten Harper’s voice mail. “Call me. Now.”

He slammed the phone down and started pacing. Amy wasn’t sure what to say to calm him. His response seemed so over-the-top.

Amy was too tired to even try to figure out what time it was on the other side of the planet. Most likely Harper was teaching class and didn’t have her phone turned on.

“What happened between Harper and her stepdad?” she asked after several minutes proved his sister wasn’t going to return his call.

Andrew froze, his gaze capturing hers. “She told you?”

Amy shook her head. “Nothing in detail. She just said he wasn’t a nice man.”

Andrew snorted, the sound malicious, cold. “That’s a fucking understatement.”