Don't Promise (Don't 3)

“Of course I do. I just didn’t know where I’d find him, so I thought I’d try here first.” The disappointment that Blake wasn’t here washed over me. Or was it relief?

“Don’t look so sad, girl. He’ll be back.”

I took a step toward the door. I hadn’t flown hours and then driven three more to sit around and wait for Blake to show up. I had to get this over with.

“Thanks, I’m going to go see him.”

“I guess some things don’t change.” Cole exhaled.

“What does that mean?”

“You always going after what you want—same ol’ Sierra.” Cole smiled.

“Some things do change,” I replied softly. I had to fight the instinct to rest my hand on my belly.

Cole’s playful banter face transformed to shock.

“What’s going on? Why are you here?”

“To see Blake,” I answered.

“Uh-huh. And you just showed up here on a Tuesday night?”

“We need to talk. Ok? We left a lot of things unresolved at the end of the summer.”

“That’s what you call it?”

I felt the tingles of panic work through my body. “Why? Did he say something to you? Do you know something, Cole?”

He backed up. “I’m not getting in the middle of this again. I played my part when you left the first time. I watched the destruction of my cousin implode in front of my eyes.”

“Wow. I didn’t know you thought that about me.”

He hung his head. “I don’t, Sierra. But you two need to get your shit straight. You belong together, not apart. And the sooner you both figure it out, the sooner you can stop hurting each other.”

“That’s why I’m here,” I admitted.

“Good.” He shoved his hands in his pockets.

“Could you do something for me? A small favor?” I asked.

“Depends.”

“Could you give me time to get there? Please don’t tell him I’m here. I need to talk to him. It’s important.” I was suddenly more afraid than ever that if he knew I was on the way he might be the one to run this time.

“I can do that.” He grinned.

I looked at the clock on the wall. “I need to go if I’m going to catch him.”

“Aw, you’ll be fine. He’ll be there ’til closin’ time.” Cole winced as soon as the words were out of his mouth.

My smile changed quickly. “What are you saying? He planned to stay out all night?”

I tried to keep the jealousy and suspicions out of my voice, but it was hard to forget the fan girl groupies who were always waiting for Blake after his shows. Any one of them would be more than happy to go home with him, if he gave them the chance. A sour pit formed in my stomach.

“You’ve been gone almost two months, girl. I think you need to get down there and see for yourself.” Cole walked to the office and turned off the lights.

I fumbled with the doorknob and walked out, the briskness of October wrapping around my shoulders. Cole was right behind me. I looked at the rental car and thought of the twenty-minute drive to the Dock House. I wasn’t sure I could make it there; my emotions were all over the place.