Page 56 of Ransom

We wander out, heading straight for Cara's desk. She's typing away, focused on her screen. We stand there, staring at her, and she does her best to ignore us. Mav and I trade glances because that's not like her, either.

"Hey, Cara," I say loudly, leaning on her desk. "You seen Ransom?"

She doesn't look up. "Nope."

Maverick raises an eyebrow at me. Something's off.

"Come on, Cara," I press. "You always know where he is."

She sighs, finally meeting our eyes. "I don't know, okay? He left suddenly. Didn't say where he was going. He just wanted me to cancel his day. I haven't heard from him otherwise."

"He didn't tell you anything? Like… nothing? That's not like him."

She just shrugs like it's no big deal, but I see the worry in her eyes. Okay, code yellow. Shit's not right.

I grab Maverick's arm, pulling him away. "Thanks, Cara."

Once we're out of earshot, I lower my voice. "You thinking what I'm thinking?"

Maverick scowls. "Badger Falls?"

"BING-fucking-GO. He told us to back off, and the next day, he's gone? It's gotta be Blair and whatever the fuck is going on in his head."

"Shit." Maverick runs a hand through his hair. "Should we go after him?"

I chew my lip, considering. "Normally, I'd say he's fine. But this shit isn't like him at all. The whole situation's been hinky."

"Hinky?" he asks with a smirk.

"Shut up. Mia and I watched Scooby Doo." One of the best Thursday nights of my life. My first and second favorite girls, ’cause let's face it, Bree gets top billing, always.

He grunts and tugs at his tie. "He's not going to like it if we go there and get in the middle of his business."

"Go where?"

We both jump, spinning around to find Jonas standing there holding a banana, no peel. Who the fuck does that? Nature gives you a built-in wrapper, and you don't use it?

It's just wrong.

"Jesus, Jonas," Maverick clutches his chest. "Wear a bell or something."

Jonas frowns. "That would be impractical. Where are you considering going?"

I exchange a look with Maverick. We'd promised Ransom we'd keep the Blair situation quiet.

"Nowhere," I say, trying to sound casual. "Just, uh, thinking about grabbing a drink."

Jonas's eyes narrow. "You're lying. You're avoiding eye contact, and your voice is higher."

Damn his observational skills. And why do I have such a hard time lying to him? I can talk to anyone, bullshit anyone. Except my family and especially Jonas.

Maverick sighs. "Look, Jonas, it's complicated. Ransom asked us to keep it quiet."

"We don't keep secrets."

"Um. Well. Sometimes we do. You lied to Becca, remember?" Mav reminds him.

He rears back, deeply offended. "I am not a liar."

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