Page 30 of Squatch Out!
SEAN
By the time I make it back up the ridge from town, the sun is low over the horizon, and I’ve had ample time to think about Olivia. In fact, I can’t seem to stop thinking about her. I’ve replayed every moment with her in my mind. Dwelled on the soft sound of her voice and the even softer press of her lips. I’ve puzzled over what it is about her sweet scent that makes my squatch lose control. Why I’m so drawn to her.
And I can’t come up with a single answer.
I finish unloading all the supplies—including a new door, lock, and two bags of new clothes—before jumping right back in Owen’s truck to head back to the campsite.
I need to see her again. I want to talk to her and get to know more about her.
The first stars are dotting the dark blue sky when I pull up to their campfire in a cloud of dust. It’s just Brian and Tony sitting by the fire. There is no sign of Olivia.
I greet them with a wave as I come around the front of my truck. “I came to talk with Olivia.” I’m scanning the campsite as Iask, but there is something missing. Something I can’t quite put my finger on.
“She left,” the bearded one, Tony, says from one of the camp chairs. His voice is flat, and he narrows his eyes at me. Accusingly.
My attention recoils like a over stretched rubber band and snaps to him. “What?” Then I realize what’s missing. It’s her tent. “When? Why?”
Next to Tony, Brian unfolds his long frame from his camp chair and crosses his arms over his chest. “Well, I think we’re actually hoping you might be able to tell us.”
Oh, great. These guys think I had something to do with her leaving.
And they’d be right, asshole. Leaving without even saying goodbye, especially after the way you kissed her was a dick move.
“Are you the guy?” Tony asks as he stands up beside Brian. I don’t miss how his fists are clenched, and he’s practically vibrating with anger. “Did you dress up in a suit and carry her off?”
Dress up?For a second, I’m confused as hell at what he’s talking about. Then it hits me. Shit…Olivia must have given them a story to explain what happened.
“Er, yeah. I came to apologize. It was… a shitty thing to do.”
“Damn right it was!” Brian shouts at me. “Stupid and dangerous! I have half a mind to report you!”
My knee-jerk reaction is to snort at his threat. Even if he did, which I’m a little surprised he hasn’t already, the report would go to Owen, and he’d just give me his signature look of disappointment. I hold my hands up, “I know, I know. Look, you have every right to report me, but I really am sorry. I came back to talk to Olivia, to try to make things right. Can you tell me where she went?”
Both men are tight-lipped, and I realize they aren’t going to tell me.
“She went back to town. Pretty sure she’s staying at the lodge,” Darren speaks up from where he suddenly appears on the other side of the fire.
“Darren, shut the fuck up!” Brian hisses at him.
But that’s all I need. “Thank you,” I holler as I jump back in the truck before any of them can come after me. Then I head back down the mountain, for the second time that day.
I managedto cut the two-ish hour drive back to town down to just over one, and its full dark by the time I pull into the parking lot. I slam Owen’s truck into park, not caring that I’m taking up more than one spot.
Rushing into the lobby, I startle the reception girl when I slap my hands on the desk right in front of her. “I need to find out which room a guest is in.”
Her eyes spring wide and then they narrow at me. “Really, Sean? You know I can’t give out that information.”
She’s familiar, and I know I’ve seen her around town. Or maybe we went to school together. My mind spins, trying to remember her name. It’s… Sally? No. Sarah? Samantha? Sssss–Susie!“Come on, Susie. You know me.”
Susie folds her arms across her polo shirt. “And? Are you trying to get me fired?” I give her a pleading look, and she rolls her eyes, “Does she have you listed as an approved contact?”
Shit. “Er, no—how do you know it’s ashe?”
“Because I know your reputation,Sean Ferrel.” She glares at me. Suddenly, I remember her older sister and I had a thing that ended badly in high school.Double shit.
“Look, it’s an emergency.”
I’m pretty sure she doesn’t believe a word I’m saying and narrows her eyes even more.
