“Vi left my place today with hives because I asked her about the wedding. They popped up out of nowhere. She’s stressed. If I were you, I’d take good care of her right now. Make sure she’s okay with what’s going on. You don’t want to end up swimming in shits creek with me. I remember what you were like the last time she dumped your ass. It wasn’t pretty.”

I expect some assholey reply, because that’s usually what I get, but I’m met with silence. I turn to walk away.

“Miller.”

“What?”

“Do you think she’s okay? I mean after this shit—” He motions between us. “Should I . . .”

“Be worried?” I finish for him. “Yeah, man. She may not be my blood, but she’s my family, and me and Vi, we’re tight. Right now you’re fucking things up.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

PUCK WATERS AND HIS TIMING

Late the next night I get a phone call from a number I don’t recognize. I’m apprehensive about answering. If it’s a bunny, I don’t want to deal—I’ve had more calls than usual since I got home, or maybe I’m noticing them more now that Sunny and I aren’t talking every day. It’s late for a business call. Still, I don’t want to miss something important. I’ve been fielding a lot of calls for Project Sunshine this week.

“Hello?”

“Hi, is this Miller?”

The female voice is familiar, and she doesn’t call me Buck, so it can’t be a bunny. “Yup. Who’s this?”

“It’s Lily.”

“Oh. Hey.” I have a million thoughts, most of them of the WTF variety. “Is Sunny okay? Did something happen?”

“She’s okay. Well, mostly.”

“What do you mean mostly?” I’m already throwing off the covers.

“Nothing bad has happened, not apart from you breaking up with her.”

That sounds like a dig. I lay back against the pillows, the kick in my chest settling. “If she’s okay, what’s going on?”

I get silence for so long I think she’s hung up. Finally she clears her throat. “I wanted to apologize.”

Lily doesn’t seem like the type to do the apology thing. Not without some difficulty, anyway. Maybe she’s different with people she likes more.

“For what?” I ask.

“I was wrong about you. I feel bad about the way I’ve treated you. I just—I didn’t want Sunny to get hurt, and I made some assumptions I shouldn’t have.”

“Oh. Well, thanks, I guess . . . is that the only reason you called?

“Yes. No.” She clears her throat. “So . . . uh . . . I don’t know if you know this, but my cousin was at Camp Beaver Woods when you were there.”

“Randy mentioned something about that.”

She makes a weird sound. “Yeah. I guess he would tell you, eh? Uh . . . anyway, my cousin, Brett, couldn’t say enough nice things about you. He and Michael have stayed in touch through Facebook and stuff. What you’re doing for him is great.”

I’m still processing the apology, so this ups the shock level by a million. Publicity for the game went into full swing this morning. Tomorrow we’re filming a promo video. “It’s not a big deal.”

“Yes, it is. You’re a really good person. I’m sorry I didn’t give you a fair shot.” Her voice drops and she mutters, “She’s gonna kill me for doing this. Sunny’s a mess over you. Like, really a mess. I’ve never seen her so, so . . . sad.” She speeds up as she talks. “And I know some of it is my fault. I kept telling her you weren’t any good for her.”

“Maybe you’re right.” It’s something I’ve been thinking about and the reason I still haven’t called Sunny back.

“I’m not right. I judged you before I knew you. If you still want to be with her, you should give her another chance.”

“Yeah. I don’t know about that.”

“You haven’t even called her back. She’s in limbo right now.”

“Like she left me in limbo while you guys were away on your camping trip?”

“That wasn’t intentional. She didn’t have reception. She tried to call you every day, but her phone wouldn’t work. Look, it’s obvious you care about her or you wouldn’t be putting together a fundraiser with her name on it. She’s never been like this over anyone else before. That has to mean something.”

“It can mean something and still not work out.”

I don’t know if it’s as simple as I’d like it to be. Even if we get back together, I’m going to be gone half the year, and we don’t live in the same country. I can do all these things to reassure her we’ll be great, but eventually the distance is going to be a barrier. Unless she wants to move closer to me, this is as far as our relationship can go.

“She’s coming to Chicago next weekend to visit Alex.”

“Oh yeah? Thanks for letting me know.” I glance at the empty pillow beside me. For the last five years it’s been a revolving door of bunnies. Now all I can think about is how much I miss Sunny and how I’m half-glad I don’t have a memory of her in my bed to miss as well. “I appreciate you calling to smooth things over. It means a lot.”

“I wish I’d been nicer to you sooner.”

“Meh. You were just protecting Sunny. I get it. It makes you a good friend.”