“Don’t mention it. I haven’t had that much fun in years,” he answers. “Now, what can I do for you?”
“Listen, do you think you could ask Evie to bring some breakfast down for me and the kids?”
“Food is already on the way,” he says.
I consider asking him who’s bringing it, but don’t bother. Digger would know better than to come back here right now. “Thank you. I really appreciate it.”
“No problem, sweetie. You take care of you and those two darlings of yours and let us know if we can do anything to help.”
I hang up the phone feeling a mixture of fear and rage. I should have known Brett would tell the world thatI’mthe cheater. That bastard. I pace in the living room for a minute, then peek out the window. I don’t see any paparazzi, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t there. I do spot a golf cart coming down the path though. As it gets closer, I see Digger is behind the wheel. What in the heck is he doing? I told him to stay out of sight.
He waves when he gets out of the cart. He looks right and left like he’s going to be jumped at any moment. As soon as I open the door, I whisper-yell, “Why did you come?” sounding as angry as I feel.
“I brought breakfast …” He looks confused. “I thought you’d want something to eat.”
“I do. I mean, we do, but I told you not to come back. It’s not safe here.”
“I don’t know if you remember this, Harper, but we don’t have a lot of extra hands on deck. Grandpa Jack is in the kitchen baking, and Evie is waiting tables. That left me.”
“Just hurry up and bring the basket.” My head pivots right to left, looking for trouble.
As Digger climbs the stairs to the deck, we both hear another vehicle approaching. “Shoot.” I grab him and pull him into the cabin. “No one can see you here.”
“Idoown the place, you know.” He’s mad, but I can’t concern myself with that right now
“I can’t be seen with you, Digger. It looks like Brett is playing hardball and that means I have to stay above reproach at all times.”
As soon as he’s through the door, I slam it behind him.
“Digger! You brought food!” Lily runs at him and gives him a big hug. I imagine that might have been the reception he expected from me too.
“Did you bring any poached eggs?” Liam asks, walking into the kitchen with a concerned expression on his face.
“Ew, no. I brought waffles and sweet rolls, fruit and yogurt.” He ruffles my son’s hair. “How does that sound?”
In lieu of answering, Liam merely nods his head.
The knock on the door startles us all. I call out, “Get out of here you scum-sucking losers!”
“That’s a welcome for you.” It’s Ethan.
Yanking the door open, I motion for him and Prisha to come through. Prisha takes one look at Digger and says, “I thought you left.”
Digger crosses his arms. “I brought breakfast. I thought Harper and the kids would be hungry.” He takes a step toward the door. “But don’t worry, I’m leaving now.”
“Don’t go yet.” Prisha raises her hand to stop him.
“He shouldn’t stay,” I warn her.
“While he’s here, I might as well give him my crash course on what comes next.” She takes Digger’s arm and pulls him toward the living room.
I tell the kids, “Go on in and eat on my bed. You can play some video games too.” Allowing them to eat in bed while playing games is akin to my telling them that I grew wings and can fly. Neither is a happenstance they’ve heard before.
Once the kids are out of the room, Prisha says, “I looked online before we came over. Someone at the bar filmed the two of you on the dance floor acting all lovey-dovey. Then they filmed an altercation between Brett and Grizzly Adams here.” She gestures toward Digger with a frown on her face.
“This has nothing to do with me,” Digger moves to stand up, but Prisha pushes him back down.
“It haseverythingto do with you,” she tells him. “Up until the news of this little flirtation broke, Brett was the bad guy. But now, thanks to the two of you needing to suck face in public, he's working hard to convince the press his marriage ended because Harper was having an affair with you.” She points at Digger.