Page 103 of Gone for You

“Of course. My tool box is in my suitcase,” I joke because who packs tools in their suitcase?

“Good.”

“Working vacation?”

“You know it.”

“Good.”

“Figured you needed to hit some shit, maybe sweat a little and use your hands for something other than lifting bottles and pushing papers.”

I don’t even rise to the bait, or show him I’m sweating over why he thinks I need to hit something. Instead, I just ask. Better to get it all out in the open if he’s driving me out to kill me and bury my body. I look out the window, my knee resting against the door of the pickup and my arm draped over it. Hoping I’m giving off an air of confident relaxation. “What did Rex tell you?”

“Not much. But my sister did.”

“Shit.”

“Don’t worry. I’m not going to kill you.”

“Good to know.”

“Rex told me you’ve been acting like a major asshole at The Goat for a while and his last resort was shipping you away to a remote island if I didn’t take you in. Here’s the deal, dick,” he adds on the term of endearment probably because that’s how he truly sees me right now. And I don’t blame him. Iama dick in this scenario. “I told you not to break Liv’s heart and you did it anyway. I also know you were fucked up, and she didn’t push back. Didn’t fight for you.”

“No, she didn’t,” I say harshly.

He nods, knowingly. “And I see you’re bitter about that. I get it but she’s my sister and she wins in this scenario. I won’t sit here and let you be angry with her over reacting the only way that felt natural to her. Trust me when I say, the only reason you’re sitting next to me without a black eye is because I know you didn’t hurt her on purpose.”

“How do you know that?”

“Because you’re not the asshole you think you are. We all make mistakes. This one just cost you a helluva lot.”

“It did,” I admit.

“Besides, I needed an extra hand building the cabins, so I figured it was a win-win. I get free labor, you get to see me, and I can see you’re trying hard not to shit your pants over there wondering if I’m about to drive you somewhere and leave you for dead.” He flashes me a grin as he looks behind him, lifts his blinker and passes a car. I can’t help but return his smile. It feels so good to actually allow my mouth to curve up again, rather than the perpetual scowl that’s been planted on my lips lately.

I watch as we zoom by the buildings and other vehicles along the interstate. “It’s been brought to my attention that I’ve been a supreme dick and every one of my employees was about to quit if I didn’t agree to a disappearance that was bound to happen, whether by choice or force.”

A belly laugh erupts from him and he hits the steering wheel a few times while finding my misery completely amusing.

“I’m happy to have you here with me. It’s been a long damn time since I’ve seen you.”

“Yeah. I know. It’s been too long. I’m sorry, man.”

“Don’t be sorry. We get caught up in our lives, I get it.” He stops at a stop light on the outskirts of the city. Reaches over, grips my shoulder again. “I’m not gonna let my vagina show but I will tell you that I’m your friend and whatever you need, I’m here. And, it needs to be said, I’m sorry about your mom. I know she wasn’t around but I also realize that it messed with your head. Just get your head on straight so it can stop fucking with my sister, too, yeah?”

“Yeah,” I mumble, hoping like hell that I can make things right.

The light turns green and he hits the gas, moving through the intersection then slowing down to pull into a fast food place that’s famous for their chicken and waffle fries. He points to me and I nod my agreement.

He doesn’t expect me to give him answers or even acknowledge that he’s right about it messing with me. It’s one of the things I appreciate about him — he’s simply putting it out there for me to think about.

Owen pulls through the drive-thru, asks what I want and he places our order, including the extra side of their signature sauce.

After getting our food, we get back on the road and dig in. He moans and I give him the side eye.

“The food is good but not orgasmic good.”

“Only thing I miss about not being around civilization,” he mumbles around a mouth full of food, lifts his cup and sips some soda through the straw. Burps. Keeps eating like a ravenous dog. I would make a joke about this being why he’s still single but considering the conversation we had before Lily’s wedding, I decide against it.

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