Page 97 of Reckless

“Well duh, of course they would. They’d have you guys married off and popping out little red haired rockstars in a heartbeat,” she rests her cheek against her palm and leans heavily on her elbow. “I’m about to get far too philosophical for this time of day, and with no alcohol intake. Seen as it’s you, I can make an exception.”

“Thanks, appreciate that,” I grin.

“Ready for it? Life has a lot of lenses. The trick is to make sure you can swap them when you need to. Not stick to the same safety goggles we arm ourselves with to protect our hearts.”

Despite the analogy, it makes a lot of sense and I know that.

“Part of life is about the unknown, Krista. His knowns are concerning, yes. The fame, the travelling, there are a myriad of issues that come with that. Question is, are the other things worth seeing past that? And the only way you’ll be able to make an informed decision, is to know what he’s offering.”

“I’m scared.”

“Because you’ve gone into blindfold territory which is even worse than safety goggles. Okay, answer me this, honestly. If you went back to the RV and he was gone, how would that make you feel?”

“Worried. Sad... Lonely.”

Her eyes narrow.

“Fine. I’d be hurt. And… empty. Afraid I’d never see him again.”

Brianna gives me a sad little smile. “And that makes you want to…”

“Tell him not to go,” I say slowly. “But I don’t know how.”

“You’re a writer.”

“I make people up in my head. They’re braver than me.”

“There is a little bit of you in every character you write.”

“Even the murderer?”

“Of course,” she laughs. “Everyone is capable of murder given the right circumstances.”

“You’ll die on that hill.”

“Yep,” she gives me another broad smile. “I don’t know if I helped. I like to think I did, eh?”

“You did. Thank you.”

“Good,” she looks at her watch. “Damn shit, I gotta go bestie, Tobes is at practice in half an hour, and I need to get him from school which is like fifteen minutes away. Don’t leave me hanging. I want to hear what happens. And when I see you in Chicago, you better have on the right pair of glasses.”

We end the call there and I look at my untouched pie. After a few minutes I hold up a hand and ask if they have any ice-cream. The server heads off to get some as I close my laptop. I had planned to get some writing done as well as get advice, but my brain isn’t in the right place.

The server brings me a dish of ice-cream and a fresh coffee. I finish them off, thinking about Jude the whole time.

When I pack everything up and grab my coat I turn and see a pair of glasses on the table behind mine. I hadn’t noticed anyone sitting there the whole time I was here.

If Emily was here and privy to that conversation, she’d say it was a sign. They’re cat eye shaped with bright red rims. Sexy. I pick them up and pull back the arms, turning them so I can see through the lenses. Everything looks blurry and I have to laugh at myself.

Folding them back up, I take them to the register and tell the girl someone left them. She thanks me and pops them beneath the counter.

I don’t think I’ll ever look at eye wear quite the same way again.

Despite the chat with Brianna, I didn’t have the guts to talk to Jude. He’s been on edge since finding out Luther has been following us the whole time. I tried to tell him it wasn’t that big of a deal, especially as he showed up when Jude needed him.

He hates that he wasn’t told, saying they’re treating him like he’s a child. I can see it from both sides and given the situation at the park in Minneapolis, I’m kind of glad they were there.

I hate that these are things he needs to deal with. It’s one thing hearing about it, it’s another seeing it in person.

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