Guilt washes over Pacey as he says, “Yeah, I haven’t necessarily handled everything in the best way possible. Anger sort of took over, and it’s taken a lot of conversations with Winnie to realize I was being a tool.”
Looks like I owe Winnie a present.
“But I promise, I’m better now.”
“Good. You know you two can come to us with anything, right? We don’t want you to fear us.”
“I think she was more embarrassed than anything,” Pacey says.
“Nothing to be embarrassed about. She’s carrying a child, and even if it’s not the way we would love to see it, she’s still having a baby, which means we’ll be grandparents. That’s exciting to us.”
The ball of tension in my chest slightly eases.
“Well, I’m glad you know because I know it’s been weighing on her.”
“Seems that way. I’m going to help Mom, okay?”
“Can you tell him to ask her to call me or text, anything?” I say to Pacey.
“I heard him,” Joseph says. “I’ll make sure she reaches out. Good luck tomorrow, boys.”
“Thanks, Dad.” After a few more goodbyes, Pacey hangs up and then tosses the phone to the side. “Man, that was not what I was expecting to do this evening.”
“Sorry,” I say while taking a seat next to him on the bed. “I just wanted to make sure she was okay.”
“No, I appreciate it.” He pats me on the back. “You’re really stepping up.”
“Just don’t want to be like my dad,” I say.
“You’re not. And when I said that—”
“I know, dude, I know.” I let out a huge sigh and stand. “Well, I’ll let you get back to whatever it was that you were doing with Winnie, and I’m going to wait painfully next to my phone for your sister to call.”
“Thanks, and hey, you did the right thing coming here. I know things have been weird between us, but I appreciate you pushing through it to make sure my sister is okay.”
“No need to thank me. I care about her and will do anything to make sure she’s okay.”
Fuck, I’ve never been this out of sorts before in my entire life. It’s been an hour since I went to Pacey’s room. It’s fucking late here, and we have a goddamn playoff game tomorrow, but the only thing I can think about at the moment is Penny.
Should I just try calling her again? Shoot her a text? Remind her that I want to hear from her?
Sitting on the edge of my bed, I stare at my phone as my leg bounces up and down, willing it to ring. But it doesn’t. It stays dead silent, so instead of waiting, I text her again.
Eli: It’s late here, I know, but I need to know that you’re okay. Call or text. I’m awake waiting to hear from you.
Once I press send, I start to pace my room again. Was that text wrapped up in a tidy bow of desperation? Yup. Do I care? I don’t give one single fuck.
Since I already brushed my teeth, got ready for bed, and laid out my clothes for tomorrow, I have nothing to keep me busy. Therefore, I traverse this hotel carpet—
Buzz. Buzz.
I nearly toss my phone in the air from the excitement of a text message.
Please be from Penny.
Please be from Penny.
I glance down at the phone, and instant relief hits me as I see that she text me back. I take a seat on my bed and open the text message.
Penny: Sorry. Been an emotional night. Everything is good.
I text her back immediately.
Eli: Can I FaceTime you?
I don’t know what possessed me to ask, but I need to see her face. I need to make sure she’s okay.
Penny: I look like a wreck.
Eli: I don’t care. Please, Penny?
I wait for a response, worried that she’s going to say no when my phone buzzes with a FaceTime call.
Thank. Fuck.
I accept the call and hold the phone out in front of me as Penny’s tear-soaked face appears on the screen.
“Hey,” she says with a sheepish smile. She’s lying on her bed, curled into her pillow, looking like she needs a goddamn hug.
“Hey.” I exhale harshly and then push my hand through my hair. “You’re probably sick of me asking, but how are you?”
“Better. I’m sorry I didn’t text or call. I thought you’d be asleep by now.”
I shake my head. “Nah, been waiting to hear from you. So, is everything okay with your parents?”
She nods. “My mom was going to stay the night with me, but I told her I was fine and she could go to the hotel with my dad. They just left.”