Page 37 of Pretty Obsessed

He nodded.

“Humans are pack animals. We aren’t meant to be alone. It’s harder to be alone when we are hurting. I won’t pretend to know or assume what’s going on, but I think River is the type of person who would have had you in there all night had I not been here. Yes?”

“You’re different.” He nodded, searching my face. “It doesn’t bother you?”

“No.” What claim did I have over River? Iris needed him. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“It is. Most people would be jealous.” He picked up his pillow and pushed off the sofa.

“He did choose to spend the night with me.” I had my night and my fun. It was time to return to normal life and River was more than open to take care of his friend.

“Good point.” He laughed. “Why are you sneaking out so early?”

“I have to work.” It wasn’t a lie, merely a stretching of the truth. I had someplace to be. To get to.

My early morning escape was a little indicative of the night before, but I wasn’t having morning-after regret. I was happy with my choices, but I knew where they ended.

This was the best way to leave it where it had to stay.

* * *

Back at my place, I finished packing in a hurry—not even sure I had enough clothes, grabbed the weekend bag, and tossed it in my Jeep before going to grab all the supplies I bought. I reminded myself I’d preplanned this. There was no reason to cancel. River would be leaving. There was nothing for me here. I had to force myself to face this. A week or two in an isolated cabin for most people would be torture, but I needed the solitude and clear mind.

I picked up my phone and made the call I dreaded, but it wasn’t fair to go out of range and not return it. Not after all he’d done for me.

“I’m on my way there,” I said when Octavius answered.

“You gonna make it before the storm?” He wasn’t happy.

“Not before it starts, but it won’t be bad until tonight.”

“Text me when you get to the ranger station. I don’t want to spend the next week thinking you wrecked on the way up there,” Octavius said, curt.

“You busy?” I spun around my room trying to make sure I hadn’t forgotten anything.

“No, I’m mad.”

“Blunt much?”

“You don’t need another dude like Pat.”

I cringed when he said the name. “This wasn’t that.”

“Mmmmhmmm. I saw the way he looked at you.”

“What do you mean?” I wished I could see his face. Octavius couldn’t hide anything in person. On the phone he was much harder to read.

“Nothing. It’s good you’re gone for a couple weeks. Reset. You haven’t been there since.”

I rubbed the back of my neck. “I know.”

“Radio down and have Will call me if you need me.” He got real quiet after he said it. I knew he didn’t like to show that side of himself.

“Thanks.”

“Sure. Get to it. You have hours to drive ahead of you.”

“I’ll talk to you later.”

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