Page 17 of Love on the Run

“That sounds like a really stupid plan. Hitchhiking is dangerous, especially…” He stopped. He’d been about to say “for a girl as pretty as you”.

“Thanks for the public service announcement. Like you care what happens to me anyway.” Callie still hadn’t turned to look at him.

“Callie, if I didn’t care, I’d have left you on the highway. Now will you at least eat?”

On the porch, Callie grimaced. She was ravenous, but she hated to let Jake know that. Of course, it didn’t take a genius to figure that she would be hungry by now. And she wasn’t hurting anyone but herself by starving.

She slid off the wall and went back inside, where Jake had put out some basic breakfast food on the table. She had made it through two bowls of cereal and a banana when she caught Jake’s poorly hidden grin. “What? I figured it was here, so I might as well eat it.”

“Good,” he said, pleased that she was talking to him again. “You look like you could use a few square meals.”

Callie frowned for a split second, as if deciding whether to be offended.

“I just meant that you could use the energy, after what you’ve been through.”

“I get it.It’s just not the type of comment I usually hear.”

“In LA?”

“Yeah. Always have to be thinner, thinner, thinner.You never get a read if you’re not thin.”

“A read?”

“An audition.For a movie role.” Callie looked at him.“As in reading a part.”

“You’re an actress?”

“Yes,” her face clouded.“Or I was going to be.”

“You can’t be anymore?”

“Not in Hollywood,” Callie sighed, thinking of all the work she’d put into her career in the past few years. One mistake, and now it was all dust.

“Just because of your leg? You’ll heal fine. It can’t possibly keep you out of work, right?”

“Not my leg,” she started, then realized that she’d been about to tell him about Malcolm, which she absolutely could not afford to do. In fact, the only thing she should be thinking about now was how to get on the road again, away from this inquisitive cop, and to somewhere she could truly disappear. New York, maybe. But she couldn’t stay here. It wasn’t safe.

Jake leaned back against the counter, seemingly relaxed, which left Callie completely unprepared for his next words.

“Tell me about Edward Bellamy.”

Callie’s heart skipped, and she felt her palms go clammy. “What?” she whispered.

“You don’t even know whose car you stole? Or was Bellamy your boyfriend?”

“Jesus, no,” Callie got out. Despite her horror, she almost laughed. “Ed?”

“So you do know him. Was he the one who got your leg?”

“No,” Callie shook her head. “Of course not. He was—” She broke off just in time, but Jake still pounced on her statement.

“You knew who he was. He was there that night.”

“Yes, but…” Callie exhaled, miserable and scared again. “Don’t talk to me about him. Not ever.” She ducked her head, letting her hair fall over her face.

“He hurt you?” Jake pressed.

“Ed? No. I barely knew him. It just happened to behiscar that was there when I…needed it. I didn’t steal it. I mean, I didn’t mean to.”

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