He huffed. “That’s what you have to say?”
I took a step backward toward the shelter of the porch and the hanging swing. I didn’t want to stand in the rain. I didn’t have to turn around to know AJ was following me. I moved quietly along the porch and took a seat on the swing. AJ leaned against a pillar just under the roof out of the rain. His biceps bulged, slick and wet.
“What the hell happened?” It didn’t look as if he had shaved since I left. A sexy five o’clock shadow had filled in along his jaw. “What are we doing here? I thought we had an understanding.”
I didn’t know whether to be annoyed or flattered. “I left a note.”
“A note?” He folded his arms across his chest. “It didn’t explain shit. I called. Texted. You didn’t answer anything. It’s been three days.”
“How did you get here? How did you know where to look for me?”
“This is how it’s going to go?” His eyebrows arched. “Question for question? Back and forth until you crack?”
“Who said I was going to be the one to crack?” I was defensive even though I had no right to be. I had skipped out on a promise. I had left him after the most emotionally intense and raw night of my life.
“What are you doing here, Syd? The only thing your note said is that you would explain.”
I exhaled. “You didn’t need to follow me. I’m fine.”
“Don’t pull this shit.” He eyed me.
I knew I had to tell him what brought me to this house. He had a right to know. After everything we had been through together, I owed him that. I had pledged everything to him, and him to me.
“I got a text that someone found my mom. Here.” I nodded toward the house. “This was the address they gave me.”
“After the hell we just went through, why would you do something so stupid?”
My spine bristled. “I thought it was a good lead. I had to hurry. It was an emergency.”
“An emergency. And you didn’t think you should wake me up to tell me?”
“That would have been the polite thing to do.” I winced. “But it wasn’t about you. I had to go. I didn’t think it through. I just acted. I thought this was my chance to find her.”
“And instead you’re at an abandoned house in the middle of nowhere. With no protection and no backup.” He was talking like an FBI agent.
“Yes.” I exhaled. “Someone played a nasty mind game and they won. Ok? Does that make you happy? It was a goose chase. A lie. A trick. The entire trip was concocted. I get it. Ok?”
“You know that doesn’t make me happy.”
“I wouldn’t blame you if it did.”
“Since when have I been the vindictive type?”
“Why are you here?” I asked. My eyes lifted to his.
“Because this is where you are, Syd.”
I felt a tiny crack in the back of my throat.
“Because I’m worried about you. We just went through something that most people can’t handle. You shouldn’t be alone.” The corners around his eyes softened.
“So how did you track me down?”
He smirked. “I chipped your equipment.”
“What?” The indignation returned.
“It was for protection. To keep you safe. I didn’t expect you to run. I wanted to make sure I could find you in case…” His words trailed off.