Page 24 of Dare to Fall
“Doesn’t have to be,” Reid says, his nonchalant tone off putting. I’m used to him being a grumpy pain in my ass.
“It’s too late,” I admit, pressing my head against the chilled window and peering out. But the beautiful colors are nothing more than a messy blur.
“It’s never too late,” Reid says, slamming on the brake so hard I have to brace my hand against the dashboard.
“What the fuck?”
“You need to talk to her,” Reid insists.
“About what? There’s nothing left to say.”
“You only think that because you quit the conversation halfway through.” Reid turns the truck around, heading back to town. “That’s the reason we tabled the investment meeting until Monday, by the way. Hope you’re still coming, because we want you on board.”
“You do?”
“Does that surprise you?”
“A little.”
“Well, save your shock for later. You have more important things to deal with right now.”
“Gabby walked away fromme,” I say, though I already see the cracks in my weak argument.
“You left your truck at the lodge,” Reid points out. When I don’t say anything, he adds, “So go finish the fucking conversation.”
Chapter Thirteen
Gabby
“All packed and ready to go?” I ask, pushing Erin’s cracked lodge room door the rest of the way open as she zips her suitcase shut.
“Yes,” she announces, a joltingly bright smile on her face.
“Unless I’m imagining it, you seemhappyto go back and face the aftermath that awaits you.” A twinge of guilt hits me then, reminding me I will not be returning to Omaha with her, and she has no idea. I know the others will have her back, but it still makes me feel shitty. But before I can tell her about California, she surprises me with a casual declaration.
“Oh, I’m not going back.”
“Come again?”
“I’m staying. In Cinnamon Creek.”
“Is this some kind of quarter life crisis? Should I be worried?” I gasp when another thought hits me. “Did you sneak off to Vegas and handle Chad yourself? No one could find you yesterday.”
“No,” she answers on a giggle.
“Oh, good. Because I might be a little offended if you went on a murder spree without me.”
“As grateful as I am for your many offers to handle the Chad situation, I think his current punishment is way more fitting.”
“Erin, what did you do?”
She flashes me a diabolical grin as she stuffs her tote bag full, but she doesn’t spill the tea.
“Whatever secret you’re harboring, I’ve never been prouder.”
“Is everything okay?” she asks, her bright expression falling a few notches as she sits on the edge of the bed beside her fully packed bags. I want to ask her where she’s moving to, since she’s obviously not extending her stay in this angler-themed lodge room, but she doesn’t give me the chance. “You seem…irritated.”
“I—” I fall into the sitting chair and let out a heavy sigh. “I don’t know where to start.”
