Page 45 of Howling Night

He flashed her a smile that made her cheeks turn pink. “Damn, I wish I could, but I’m so busy down at the lumberyard. It was nice to see you again, Everly. Take care, Courtney. Ladies,” he said, rubbing his hands together, “enjoy your lunch.”

Kellan turned and strode through the diner before Courtney could open her mouth to say another word. She watched him go, her eyes following his every movement before she slid back into the booth with a heavy sigh.

“Sorry about that… the phone call took a bit longer than expected,” she said, tucking her phone into her purse. Her eyes darted to the parking lot through the window as if trying to catch another glimpse of Kellan. “How do you know Kellan?”

I gripped the coffee mug with both hands so she didn’t see them shaking. “We met once. Small towns are like that, I guess.”

“You can say that again,” Courtney said, tilting her head to both sides as she stared out the window. “Everyone knows everyone eventually.”

“Do you know him well?” I asked, taking a small sip of the steaming liquid. The bitterness and caffeine would hopefully settle my nerves.

Courtney turned back to me, a smile still on her face. “It was a long time ago, but we had a little fling.” She unfolded and refolded her napkin. “I didn’t want it to end, but it didn’t work out. I think he was interested in someone else at the time, and I just gave up trying to get his attention.”

My stomach knotted at the thought of sweet, chatty Courtney with Kellan — a man who’d threatened me just days ago. “That’s probably for the best.”

Courtney’s smile dropped. “What? How would you know if it was for the best?”

“Oh, shit. I’m sorry,” I said, realizing how my comment must have sounded. “I didn’t mean it the way it came out. I just meant?—”

“Ready to order?” The waitress appeared at our table, looking back and forth between us.

Courtney pressed her fingers against her temple. “Actually, never mind. I have a headache and don’t feel well.” She grabbed her purse and slid out of the booth. “I’m going to drive you home, Everly. I need to lie down.”

“Courtney, I?—”

“It’s fine. I just get these migraines, and they hit fast. I’d like to be home before I throw up,” she said, already heading toward the door. “Let’s just go.”

I followed her out, leaving behind my mug of coffee. The drive back to the country was painfully quiet and felt extra long. Courtney kept her eyes fixed on the road, both hands gripping the steering wheel at exactly ten and two. I tried to think of something to say that wouldn’t make things worse, but nothing came to mind.

As we drew closer to my house, I spotted Ryder’s truck parked in my driveway. He was pacing back and forth across the front lawn, a phone pressed to his ear.

“I’ll let you out here,” she said, stopping at the end of the driveway and not pulling in.

“Uh, okay. Hope you feel better,” I said as I slid out of her car. “Thanks for the ride.”

“Sure,” she said, keeping her eyes forward.

I closed the door and watched as she pulled away without another word. I turned around, my eyes landing on Ryder as he walked toward me.

His body was tense and his hands balled into fists. “What the hell were you thinking?”

ChapterTwenty-One

“Um, what?” I said, my eyes narrowing as I crossed my arms.

“You can’t just go out like that,” he said, shaking his head. “Not without telling me.”

My mouth dropped wide. “Uh, I don’t have to tell you anything.”

“You have to try to understand this isn’t a normal situation you’re in. You know, I’ve been calling you,” he said, holding up his phone. “Why didn’t you answer?”

I pulled my phone from my pocket and saw five missed calls. I’d silenced it last night when I’d been trying to sleep and had forgotten to turn the volume back up. “I’m sorry, I didn’t hear it.”

“God dammit, Everly,” he said, running his hand through his hair. “I was fucking worried sick. I thought something—” He stopped himself, nostrils flaring as he inhaled deeply. His entire body went rigid. “You saw Kellan.”

It wasn’t a question. I remembered what Kellan had said about smelling Ryder on me. Apparently, it worked both ways.

“I didn’t want to?—”

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