“I know and I will.” Zoe stared at her feet. “I’ll be back in Bridge Point on Monday.”
“Be careful. Have fun.”
“I will.” Zoe hung up only to see a FaceTime call from her brother. She didn’t hesitate to answer. “Hey, bro.”
“Checking on you. What’s up?”
“Not much.” She tossed another pair of jeans into her bag.
“You going somewhere?” Jackson asked, his forehead wrinkling.
“I’m visiting Roslyn in Houston.”
“Z, why are you—”
She held up her free hand. “Before you tell me anything, I’ve already decided. I’ve already convinced Mom, so don’t get me started with you.”
Jackson’s mouth twisted in a grin. “What am I going to do with you?”
She tilted her head to the side. “Let me live my life and figure things out on my own.”
“Okay.” Then his eyes widened. “Wait, a minute.”
“What?”
“Why don’t you guys come to our show?” her brother asked.
Zoe gulped. That meant seeing Alex. What would she say to him? He probably didn’t want to talk to her since she hadn’t called him back. There were no recent missed calls from him either. Was he giving her space? “We may have other plans.”
Jackson’s eyebrows raised. “Other plans? What’s more important than supporting your brother’s band?”
Zoe had to think of a way out. She didn’t want to face Alex with the band around. “I thought you guys played in Houston already.”
“No, we have one more show here tonight. It’s not a long drive so you can make it,” he said.
Zoe swallowed.
“Is there something you’re not telling me? Does this have something to do with Alex?”
She gave a mirthless laugh. “What? Why would this have anything to do with him?”
“You tell me?” Her brother’s expression softened. “I’m not trying to run your life sis, but is there something going on?”
Her scalp prickled. “No.” It was the truth. She and Alex weren’t a couple. Nothing was official. It may not even happen now since she panicked.
Jackson nodded. “Okay, if you say so. I would like for you to come to the show tonight. I’ll text you the address in case you change your mind.”
Zoe forced a smile. “Okay.”
“Be careful,” Jackson said. Then he hung up.
Zoe’s shoulder’s drooped. Things were getting worse by the minute. Shaking out her arms, she packed the rest of her bag, loaded it in her car, locked her apartment, and got on the road.
She bobbed her head to the radio, ignoring the love songs on other stations. What would she say when she saw Alex? While on the highway, she admired the open skies with clouds, sunlight, and planes flying overhead. Horns honked around her between the cars and motorcycles, roaring and revving beside her. She even detected the faint smell of car exhaust.
Zoe made only one stop for gas, but continued her trip until she made it to Roslyn’s apartment. She entered the code her friend had texted her and searched for the building number as she drove through the parking lot.
She spotted Roslyn outside waving her arms in the air. Zoe giggled, parked, and cut the engine. Her friend bounced on her toes and ran to meet her. Zoe got out the car and hugged her friend tight.