“What’s that?”
“Aine and I. I was supposed to spend the rest of the week with her. I rented this car for our drive up the coast. I was taking her back to Yachats.”
“Sorry, man.”
“I thought that once I quit working for the company, I’d be able to choose.”
Striker looked over at Mantis when he didn’t respond. “No comment?”
“It’s never been a choice for me, Striker.”
“Elaborate.”
“That’s what ended Alegria and me. She thought I had a choice.”
—:—
“We need to talk.”
“Dutch, I’m exhausted and I want to sleep.”
“I know, but if I don’t do this now, I’m afraid I won’t do it at all.”
Alegria sighed and folded her arms. “What is it?”
“I saw what happened with Mantis.”
“What’s your point?”
“Why can’t you admit that you’re still in love with him?”
“I can’t do this now. What’s more? I won’t. I’m tired. I’m in pain, and I have no intention of discussing it with you.”
“What if you have no choice?” he asked.
“I always have a choice,” she answered.
Chapter 10
Zary and Gunner
“I need your help,” Zary said to Ava when she answered her call.
“With what?” Ava responded in her usual cheery way. Did nothing ever bother her half-sister?
“It’s almost Christmas and I don’t have a gift for Gunner.”
“Oh. Okay. Um. Do you have any ideas?”
“None.” Zary felt like crying.
“Give me a minute. I’ll call you back.”
Ava hung up before Zary could tell her they were at Gunner’s mother’s house and that, while he’d gone downstairs, she expected him back at any minute. Fortunately, her phone rang less than a minute later.
“Razor and I can bring the gifts with us next week, but don’t worry, I’ll take photos for you so you know what they are. I’ll also wrap everything.”
“Wait. You’ll wrap everything? What does that mean?”