Page 109 of If Our Hearts Collide

“Ball’s in your court.”

“No.”

“You could have given it more thought, you know.”

“Shut up and go get your stuff before I change my mind about living here.”

I watch as Luke leaves, and then I let out a laugh.

What are the freaking chances that my roommate is a dude? I am in so over my head with drama, and I haven’t even spent a night here yet.

I am so screwed.

21

COLLINS

I pull into the parking lot at an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of town. If I want to meet up in a discreet location, this is where I choose to do business. There’s no surveillance, and law enforcement rarely patrol this deserted area.

I kill the engine, undo my seatbelt, and then get out. Swallowing hard, I watch as a pickup truck pulls into the parking lot, blowing clouds of dust into the air. Placing my hands into my pockets, I rest my weight onto one foot.

For decisions as big as this, I usually feel a sense of direction—some type of inkling pushing me one way over another. To others, they may think my biggest weapon is my ability to shoot a target. However, it really is my intuition. I’ve learned to trust my gut feeling and proceed accordingly. Unfortunately, with this task, I’m having doubts already.

Maybe it’s the guilt seeping in from knowing that I’ve failed Penelope Hoffman. Or maybe it’s the fact that this girl is burrowing herself under my skin until she finds the location of my heart.

The truck door slams, and then I see Penny’s potential bodyguard make his way toward me. He would be the guy who would demand a truck for his rental vehicle.

“Redeye,” Chris greets, smacking hands with mine, which then turns into a hug.

It’s been awhile since I heard my old nickname out loud. I just wish my memories of that era of my life had a happier ending.

“Good seeing you.”

“Pardon me for being a bit surprised. I’m not used to being propositioned by the best of the west.”

I chuckle. “I never expected you to leave your southern roots behind.”

“I would have chosen sweet tea over anyone—except for you.”

I place a hand to my heart. “I’m honored.”

“Don’t let it get to your head. The real reason I fully committed is because you finally got Rowdy Rowdy Chicken.”

I let out a laugh. I forgot about Chris’s obsession with fast food. “You know we do things differently up here, right?”

“Just because there’s two ways to skin a deer, doesn’t mean your way is better.”

“Except it is,” I joke.

Chris has always had a good sense of humor. We’ve known each other for years beginning during our military days. However, we went our separate ways when proximity no longer kept us in easy communication.

I got discharged. He stayed and retired with full veteran benefits.

But every time I think back to how things went down, I’m consumed with bitterness.

I was betrayed by the people I trusted.

“I do like this cooler weather, despite it being summer,” Chris says, glancing around the open space around the warehouse.

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