Contents
Chapter 14
Overview
Skylar wakes in West’s house, rested but bruised, and confronts confusion over their "friends" status when she awkwardly meets Bree at his door. Retreating, she receives a playful email apology from West and warm support from Rosie, who invites her to drinks. The chapter cements Skylar’s growing ties to West’s world while hinting at romantic tension and social integration.
Summary
Skylar wakes in West’s house, surprised she has slept well despite facial bruising from the soccer game. Without her phone, she feels relief from her usual spiral of news alerts. Feeding Cherry in the kitchen, she reflects on West’s respectful care and their fragile “friends” arrangement.
When Skylar opens the door, she encounters Bree, whose poise and familiarity with West make Skylar instantly self-conscious and jealous. West arrives, greeting Bree, and Skylar, trying to avoid drama, withdraws to the bunkhouse as Cherry loudly punctuates the exit with an embarrassing insult.
Back alone, Skylar checks email on her laptop and finds a brief, humorous apology from West for tossing her phone, which softens her mood. Rosie then arrives with a sweatsuit, jokes about Skylar’s bruised nose, and learns Skylar stayed at West’s because the bunkhouse mouse, Scotty, triggered a panic.
Skylar warns Rosie that Bree is with West, but Rosie prioritizes dealing with Scotty over West’s privacy, signaling family loyalty and ease. Before leaving, Rosie invites Skylar to Thursday drinks with a friend, and Skylar eagerly accepts, choosing connection over isolation.
Who Appears
- Skylar StoneSongwriter waking in West’s house; awkwardly meets Bree, retreats, enjoys West’s email apology, bonds with Rosie, agrees to drinks.
- Weston (West) BelmontTrainer and single dad; appears with Bree, and emails a lighthearted apology for throwing Skylar’s phone.
- Rosie BelmontWest’s sister; brings Skylar clothes, teases kindly, prioritizes removing Scotty, invites Skylar to Thursday drinks.
- BreeWoman familiar with West; her arrival sparks Skylar’s jealousy and confusion about West and Skylar’s status.
- CherrySkylar’s parrot; eats banana, mimics phrases, and embarrasses Skylar with a crude outburst at West.
- JerrySkylar’s agent; emails about interviews and setting up dates, intensifying her discomfort.
- ScottyMouse in the bunkhouse; previously triggered Skylar’s panic and motivates Rosie’s intervention.