Read Online Shooting the Moon by Brenda Novak - Free Book Online Page B

to be holding a lot of good cards and play them just right.”
    “And if you don’t make it, you’re in major trouble,” Scott pointed out.
    Brandon scowled at him. “But if you do make it, you’re the bomb. I would’ve won for sure.”
    “You’ll have other chances,” Lauren promised.
    “Does that mean we can play another game?” he asked.
    “Not now. Scott’s mother is expecting him at home, you have to do your homework, and I have to start dinner.”
    “Aw, can’t we go out for dinner tonight?”
    “No, I’ve already defrosted a couple of steaks. I thought we could grill them outside on the patio.” She’d also made homemade rolls, scalloped potatoes, a candied almond salad and Brandon’s favorite dessert—cheesecake. Keeping herself busy with domestic tasks had helped her avoid thinking about Harley Nelson. But the time for his arrival was fast approaching and she couldn’t put off dealing with the situation any longer.
    “Why don’t you go ahead and walk Scott across the street while I start the barbecue?” she said.
    Taking her suggestion, Brandon followed his friend to the front of the house. As soon as Lauren heard the door slam, she took Harley’s card from her pocket, wiped sweaty palms on her blue jeans and dialed his number.
    I’m only doing what’s best, she told herself. But if that was true, why did she feel so terrible about it?
    Someone answered, but it wasn’t Harley. It was a woman.
    Lauren drew a bolstering breath. He’s no good. He probably goes from one relationship to another, breaking hearts along the way, and this is just the next person in line. “Is Harley Nelson there?”
    “I’m afraid not, but I’d sure like to reach him. This is Angela at Hudson & Taylor’s. He was shopping here earlier. When he paid for his purchases, he left his cell phone on the counter.”
    Evidently she’d been wrong, in this instance, anyway. But that didn’t make her feel any better. She couldn’t reach him, and he was supposed to appear at her door in—she cast another nervous glance at her watch—an hour.
    “Do you know his home number?” the woman asked.
    “I have the number where he’s staying,” she said, grateful for whatever had prompted Harley to give it to her. “Hang on a second.”
    Taking the cordless phone, she went to her bedroom and found the slip of paper Harley had handed her just before she left the restaurant. She rattled off the number, then hung up and dialed it herself, far more eager to talk to Harley now that the possibility of being unable to reach him seemed all too likely.
    “’Lo?”
    “Harley?”
    “No, it’s Tank. Who’s this?”
    “Lauren Worthington. I don’t know if you remember me, but I used to date your brother Damien.”
    “’Course I remember you. We went to high school together.”
    Part of the rowdy crowd, Tank had been popular, but Lauren had never really spoken to him until two years ago, when Damien had taken her to a family birthday party. “I’m looking for Harley Nelson,” she said, fidgeting nervously. “It’s important that I talk to him. Is he around?”
    “Nope. Haven’t seen him all day. But if he’s late or somethin’, don’t give up on him. I know he wouldn’t miss dinner at your place.”
    “That’s just it,” Lauren said. “He’s planning to seeBrandon, but I…um…I forgot that Brandon won’t be here. He’s got…” Her mind raced as she tried to come up with an event important enough to justify canceling, but nothing presented itself. “…something he can’t miss,” she finished lamely.
    Tank hesitated as though trying to decide whether or not to believe her, and she fought the temptation to prop up the lie with more senseless babble.
    “That’s too bad,” he said. “I know Harley will be disappointed.”
    “Yeah…um…so will Brandon.” Except that he doesn’t know what he’s missing. Closing her eyes, Lauren briefly remembered a conversation she’d had with Brandon just a few