Page 49 of Free to Run
Dick.
Soon, I’m on my way to Collyer. I can finally breathe.
Not surprisingly, together, Caleb and I managed to plan a near-perfect op in less than five minutes, just like when we were in the Army. A slash of a grin crosses my face and then quickly fades when I realize Alison could have been with me when things went fubar tonight. Even though I’m completely at fault, and I have a shit ton of work ahead of me to get my foot in the door again, I can’t help but think this was the way it was supposed to be. With me in Collyer.
At Alison’s pace.
On Alison’s turf.
With Alison calling the shots.
I wonder how she’s going to react to seeing me. My guess? Not well at all. I laugh darkly at the irony.
I realize I never told her the story about Melody, and I groan. I don’t need a fucked-up one-night stand getting in the way of repairing what I want with Alison. Caleb needs to know that Melody remains Hudson business and doesn’t extend to the family. There’s no reason why this should impact the Freemans.
I rest my head back against the leather headrest. She has to give me this chance, this last chance.
I won’t hurt your heart again, Alison.
22
Alison
“What the hell do you mean Keene’s here?” I screech at Corinna on the phone before flopping back into my bed.
“I swear it on my red velvet cake recipe, Ali. He and Caleb walked into Amaryllis this morning. They’re working from here for the, and I quote, foreseeable future. So, back to you. What the hell happened?”
I groan. “Too much for a phone call. Do you want to go for a run later?”
“Do I look like I took a stupid pill instead of my gummy vitamins this morning?”
“Cori, come on,” I whine pathetically.
“No. If you want to talk, I’m willing to do so over chocolate. I’m even willing to bring said chocolate to your house and you can continue to rest on your sick day. What I am not willing to do is sweat outside when it feels like it’s over a hundred degrees in the shade.”
“It’s only supposed to be ninety today,” I mumble.
“You work in a kitchen filled with ovens, sweating your ass off all day, and then argue semantics with me, sister. Do you want chocolate?” Corinna counters.
I give in, albeit reluctantly. I need to run, but Corinna is right—it’s too humid to be putting in miles right now. I’ll likely lace up after dark.
“Yes. When can you get here?”
“I’m leaving now.” Corinna hangs up.
Dragging myself from my bed, I take care of all my bathroom essentials before making my way downstairs. Starting a fresh pot of coffee, I wait.
* * *
“Are you kidding me?He said what?” Corinna screeches with a mouthful of triple chocolate cake she made earlier today.
I nod. “And that was before I walked away. I haven’t even told you what happened when I got back to the garage.” I take a bite of a cake I’ve dubbed over the years as Corinna’s Chocolate Sin. “God, Cori. Had to bring the whole cake, didn’t you?”
In between her own bite of cake, she smirks. “Everyone deserves an I’m-falling-for-an-asshole cake. This one is yours.”
My fork hits the side of the plate. “I am not falling for him, Corinna.” Screw the fork. Picking up a large piece, I shove the whole thing in my mouth. I must look like a chipmunk with my cheeks full of chocolate, but I don’t care.
“Uh-huh,” she mumbles around her next bite.
