Page 17 of Call It Love

Chapter 6

Anna

“At least letme get the keys for you,” Chase said.

I shook my head in Chase’s truck, where we sat outside of Head to Tow Garage and Salon. I knew he wanted to shield me from any conflict with Bristol, to stand between me and any resentment she still held. It was tempting. But if I was going to stand on my own two feet, I needed to practice fighting my own battles. I knew his sister wasn’t cruel. We’d been close once. Hopefully, there was still some part of her that didn’t hate me.

“I’ll be fine. What’s she going to do, hold my car for ransom?” I tried to joke, forcing a smile I knew didn’t reach my eyes.

Chase didn’t laugh. Instead, he pursed his lips like he thought that was an actual possibility. “You’re sure you don’t want to come back to Silver Creek?”

It might have been my imagination, but I thought I might hear a bit of hope woven into his words. It twisted something deep inside my chest. Something I had no right to explore. That door had closed a long time ago. Weweren’t the same people anymore. And I’d caused enough pain. I wouldn’t add to it.

Chase had been more than generous, and I didn’t want to take advantage of his kindness. I mustered a smile bigger than how I felt and nodded. “Yes, worrywart. You have a business to run. You’ve taken enough time out of your morning to bring me to town.”

He still looked worried as he drummed his fingers across the steering wheel, but he gave me a slow nod. “You’ll let me know you’re okay?”

I could read between the lines.Are you going to disappear again?

I waved my phone, which now included his number. “I promise.”

He gave a slight nod. “Anna, if you need anything…”

“I know,” I answered simply. I hopped out of his truck, releasing a breath I hadn’t known I was holding.

“I wondered how long you were going to sit there,” a familiar voice called.

I looked up to see Bristol leaning casually against the entrance of one of the bay doors, arms crossed over her chest. Somehow, she made a pair of blue dungarees look almost sexy, the way the material nipped in at her trim waistline.

I studied her for a few seconds, trying to get a read on her expression. This was as good a time as any to stand my ground.

“Your brother seemed to think I might need protecting from you.” I arched my eyebrow, refusing to back down beneath her steady gaze. “I told him he was wrong.”

She let out a little huff, but pushed off the building and dropped her arms. “I’m more worried he’s the one who needssomeone to look out for him.” Her sharp eyes locked onto mine. “You broke his heart, you know. Breaking up with him, then running off with someone else as soon as his back was turned.”

Wow. I guess we weren’t holding back. Her words landed like a sucker punch.

But it wasn’t as clear-cut as she made it sound. Chase had never even bothered to come home on his break, confirming it had been the right thing to let him go while he was away at school.If you love something, set it free. If it comes back…

Only Chase hadn’t returned to me. Proof I’d been right to let him go.

“I never intended to hurt him. We were on different paths. It seemed for the best. I didn’t think you’d care.”

She snorted and rolled her eyes. “If that’s what you need to tell yourself.”

I stared at the ground. I’d honestly thought no one cared that Chase and I weren’t together anymore. I’d assumed that when Chase and I were over, they would consider me good riddance. Cameron had left for school at the same time Chase had, and Bristol spent all her free time helping her dad with his racing plans or spending time in her grandfather’s garage. It felt like I was easily replaced with other interests.

“Why are you back?” she questioned, the lilt of a challenge in her tone.

That wasn’t a story I was willing to share with her, especially not while it felt we were opponents instead of old friends.

“Why didyoucome back?” I dared to ask.

“Touché.” Her head tilted to one side as she studied me with shrewd eyes. My meaning landed where I wanted it to. “I’m not asking you to tell me what changed, but I am warning you not to break his heart. Again.”

My eyes burned. Now her words landed with the barb she intended. This was the kind of family I’d always wanted. The kind that looked out for each other. But I was tired of always being the one who people thought had an ulterior motive.

“I don’t know what my future is. All I can say is I’m not here to hurt him. Or any of you.”

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