Page 70 of Rush

“Dude, please.” He wasn’t too proud to beg.

“Do you remember what I told you I’d do to you if you hurt her?” His eyes skidded sideways landing on Sophie in the backseat before a low growl escaped his lips. “You’re just damn lucky Sophie’s with you.”

“I just want to talk to her.”

“When she’s ready to talk to you, she’ll answer your call.”

“Her phone’s turned off. It goes straight to voicemail,” he grudgingly admitted.

“Does it now?” A wicked smile transformed Oz’s lips. “I get through just fine. Looks like she blocked you.” Then he turned serious, taking a step closer. “Listen, I’m pissed at you right now, but I’m still your friend so I’m going to tell you straight. She wanted to go home to Kansas but I convinced her not to—you’re welcome.”

That news had his anxiety levels rising. “If I could just talk to her, I can fix it.”

“She has the right to some alone time to figure her shit out without you breathing down her neck.”

“Waiting feels like a bad idea.” He’d made that mistake once already and look where it landed him.

“Then it’s a good thing you’re not in charge.”

Linc glanced through the back window. Sophie was still engrossed in the movie.

Oz caught the action. “Go home. Coach is expecting you back next week so take advantage of this opportunity to spend some quality time with Sophie. After what happened, I’m sure you could both use it.” Oz slapped him on the back. “As for Nora, she’ll be back in a few days. I’ll let her know you want to talk to her but that’s as much as I’m willing to help. Now, I’m gonna say hello to my niece.”

Frustration rushing through him like a wave, Linc watched as Oz went around to Sophie’s side of the car and opened her door. Oz said Nora would be back in a few days. That implied she went somewhere. But if not back to Kansas, then where? He didn’t want to take Oz’s advice and go home but at this point he didn’t know what else to do.

He may have lost this battle but he would fucking win the war.

A few hours later, unable to stand the radio silence of Nora’s phone a minute longer, Linc packed a bag for Sophie, took her over to Mike and Jill’s house then headed back to Oz’s. Come hell or high water, he would find his woman and do whatever it took to bring her back home where she belonged.

Stepping up onto Oz’s porch, Linc rang the doorbell three times in succession then switched to banging his fist on the door.

It flew open and a grumpy-looking Oz filled the doorway. “You’re really becoming a pain in my ass, you know that?”

“I’m not going anywhere until you tell me where Nora is.”

“Then I hope you brought a sleeping bag because it’s gonna be a long night.”

He wasn’t giving up this time. Too much was on the line and because of that, he’d lay itallon the line. “Listen, I know I fucked up. I know what I stand to lose. Nora is everything. But I feel like she’s slipping through my fingers and if I don’t get to her soon to make things right, I’ll lose her forever. Please, I just need a little help here.”

Linc saw Emerson step up behind Oz. “Tell him.”

Linc’s heart raced while watching the silent byplay between the couple, ending with Oz crossing his arms over his chest and his lips pressing into a flat line.

“If you won’t tell him I will.”

“Emerson,” Oz warned.

“Honey,” she said, placing a hand on Oz’s forearm. “I know misery when I see it, and that man has anguish written all over his face. Yes, Nora is upset right now, but if we give Linc a little help, maybe they can work things out.”

Oz looked like he wasn’t buying it. Linc held his breath, his heart feeling like it wanted to beat out of his chest. Oz’s lips turned down into a frown. “I don’t know.”

“Well, I do.” Emerson turned to Linc. “She’s at Cyan Beach, staying at the Sea Breeze Cottages. I’m not sure which number. That you’ll have to figure out for yourself.”

Relief rushed through him, making him feel light headed. He sagged against the doorframe, taking Emerson’s hand. “Thank you. I promise, you won’t regret telling me.”

“Oh, I know I won’t because you’re going to do whatever it takes to win her back, right?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

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