Page 15 of Reckless

“I thought you were staying away from anything music related,” she frowns.

A cute little line appears between her eyebrows. She’s pissed about that. For me.

“It was arranged a while back. Cody said I couldn’t get out of it. It was just a party. I didn’t have to perform or anything.”

“The rest of the band weren’t invited?” she asks in surprise.

“Solene and Ethan already had plans. They’re siblings and do a lot together. Paul got stomach flu, or he would have been here too.”

“You still could have changed your mind. Why didn’t you?”

This question coming from anyone else would have pissed me off. Krista sounds confused, rather than angry at me for letting the people around me dictate what I’m doing.

My fists tighten on the armrests. “A stupid sense of obligation. Bill gave us our big break years ago. He produced our best record and helped us a lot. It’s his sixtieth birthday party. I didn’t want to let him down. Ironically, I hardly saw him. I was too busy fending off…” I trail off, figuring she can work that out.

“Well, there are positives,” she says, speeding up. “At least now you know what you want. A clean break, for the time being. Not having one foot in and one foot out.”

“I guess that’s true. Also, I learnt lake water is disgusting and you shouldn’t drink it.”

She bursts out laughing and it brings a smile to my face.

“And I met a pretty awesome woman who showed me how to look at things differently.”

She glances at me, and holds my look for as long as possible, without swerving us off the road.

“I didn’t do that,” she mumbles.

“Who says I meant you?” I can’t resist messing with her. That small line pops up between her brows again. “Of course, it’s you. You’re the only person I’ve seen in the last twelve hours. Believe me, you helped. And your advice to always carry toilet paper with me, in case, you know. That will live with me for a while.”

“It’s sound advice, Jude. You should never forget it.” She blows out a heavy breath. “Here we are.”

Shit.

Krista turns the RV into the entrance to the rest stop, and drives along the back road where other RVs and long-haul trucks park. I scan the parking lot for Cody’s car but don’t see it. Maybe he already looked and headed back to the hotel. A big part of me wants that to be true, but we didn’t pass his car on the way here.

Once she’s maneuvered the RV into a parking space, which is damn impressive if you ask me, she turns off the engine and looks over to me.

“Want me to help you find him? I have to pick some stuff up anyway. There is a convenience store at this stop, so I can stock up.”

“Sure. And, if you have time, can I buy you a proper breakfast? To say thanks.”

“You don’t need to do that.”

“I want to. Well,” I glance at the packed parking lot, knowing I can't exactly just go to the diner. “To go.”

“What about your manager?” she follows my gaze.

“I’m kinda hoping he’s gone.”

“Then what will you do?”

“Either call an Uber to take me to the airport, or…”

“Or?”

“Hitch a ride.”

“I’m not sure everyone will be as accommodating, but you might find someone who’ll give you a ride.”

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