Which seems silly to do now.
Because Owen has enough room at his place. And we’re together again. Why would I move out only to move back in a few months later? I park along the street and go inside, heading up to my old room. Our dinner reservation is in half an hour, and it makes sense to change and get ready here and then hang out instead of driving across town to Owen’s. He’s most likely going to meet me there and not go home either.
Refusing to let Todd’s words get to me, I change, brush out my hair and use Carly’s curling iron to freshen up my waves. I call Owen again on my way to dinner and get his voicemail. He’ll be here, though. He has to be.
I’m seated at the table, order one glass of red wine, and open the Kindle app on my phone, reading to pass the time. But then fifteen minutes pass and Owen still isn’t here. I get another glass of wine, read three more chapters, and call him.
He doesn’t answer, and suddenly I can’t breathe. Did something bad happen? If it did, I’m sure one of his siblings would get a hold of me. Weston is the sheriff and Archer works at the local hospital. One way or another, we’d know if something terrible happened.
Needing a distraction, I log onto my social media accounts. Five minutes ago, Danielle posted a photo of her, Logan, and Dexter. They’re smiling and looking picture-perfect. I’m confident Logan would be able to sense something bad happening to his twin, and he wouldn’t be smiling for a photo with his wife and dog if Owen were dead in a ditch.
Which means my worst fear is coming to life.
Owen doesn’t want the same thing I do. We had sex and then what? He decided to ditch me?
Fool me once, shame on you. But fool me twice…Chapter 34Owen“Fuck.” I rub my wrists where the cuffs had been.
“Sorry,” Weston says, shaking his head.
“It’s not your fault.”
He shakes his head and runs his hand through his hair. “You’re free to go now.”
“Took long enough. That little shit got out of here hours ago, didn’t he?”
Wes opens the holding room door for me. “His lawyer screams scumbag but had good connections.”
“What good is the legal system when rich assholes can buy their way out of situations like this. He hit me first. Well, tried to hit me.” I smirk. “That cocksucker can’t throw a punch to save his life.”
After Todd tried to hit me, and I easily blocked it, he stepped back and fell right onto Marty Pickens, one of our resident drunks. Along with being a drunk, Marty is paranoid and thinks the world is out to get him. We serve him at Getaway because he’s safer in the bar than out on the streets, and we’re able to give him food and a cool place to wait out the sun in the summer.
But the second Todd touched Marty, he freaked out, saying the FBI sent Todd. He started beating the crap out of Todd, and it was a good thing Weston was there to break things up because I would have stood back and watched with pleasure.
Then Todd went after me again, and this time, I did hit him back. Popped him right in the nose, and as soon as Todd saw the first drop of blood, he was dizzy and about to pass out. Instead of leaving things at that, the fucker called the police once he realized Weston was my brother.
Which is why I’m just now leaving the police station.
“Can I have my phone? I was supposed to meet Charlie for dinner.” I rub my temples. “Shit. She’s going to think I blew her off or something.”
I walk with Wes through the station and get my phone and wallet. It’s not my first time being booked for fighting, but this is the first time regret and anxiety forms in my stomach over it. I hate that I left Charlie hanging, but once she hears how Todd got his ass handed to him, she’ll be laughing.
I have a bunch of missed called and texts from Charlie. Wes and I walk outside so he can give me a ride back to the bar so I can get my car. I call Charlie right away. She doesn’t answer. Hoping she’s not too mad, I text her telling her I’m sorry I missed dinner but have a good reason.
“Thanks,” I tell Weston as he drops me off at Getaway. “For everything.”
“You’re lucky it was me.”
“Oh, I know.” I shut the door and race to my truck. I call Charlie three more times and don’t get a hold of her at all. I race to my house, not sure what to find.
She’s not there, but Tulip still is. That’s a good sign, right?