Page 61 of Pretty Obsessed

“I will hope for the best, and enjoy the minutes we get.”

How was he so perfect? It should be fucking illegal.

"Come in." The radio which the ranger had never called me on crackled in the corner.

I jumped and turned towards it. "Shit."

"Is that the radio?" River looked around. "It's pretty late…"

"Yeah." I glanced at my watch, squinting in the low light. "It's after midnight." Panic ate at my throat.

"Better get it." He released me from his hold, lifting the blanket so I could climb out of the little nest we'd made on the sofa.

The radio crackled again. "You there, Emory?"

We hadn't even gotten to the chill part of our Netflix and chill night. He followed behind as I crossed to the radio, picking up the receiver.

"I'm here, Will. What's up?" I completely forgot proper radio etiquette, but I didn't think Will would hold it against me.

"I um…" Will paused and I exchanged a look with River.

He wore a frown and it set in. I had no one who'd be looking for me. Not this soon after coming up here. If I was gone weeks, maybe my agent would put on her boots and start a manhunt, but not after so little time.

"Is everything okay, Will?” I asked, needing him to come out with it.

"I got a message for your friend. I had somebody by the name of Alexander White call and say they needed him urgently. They wouldn't give me a reason or nothing, just that he'd know."

“This can’t be good." River scrubbed a hand over his face.

I offered River the radio.

He took it and held down the button. "Alexander called himself?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Can you come up and give me a ride down the mountain?" He sounded dejected. I hated hearing it in his voice.

"Sure thing. Gonna be twenty or thirty before I can get up to ya. I gotta get the four-wheeler warmed and get myself dressed. Snowing pretty hard up there."

"I understand. Thank you for coming out so late to give me a ride."

"Course, least I could do for any friend of Emory's."

He returned the receiver to the radio and turned towards me. "I have to go."

"I gathered." I pushed my tongue into my cheek. "Who's Alexander?" I knew his bandmates by name now with as much as he'd talked about them and their dynamics, but Alexander was a mystery."

"He's our manager."

"Why would he be contacting Will?”

"I had Iris tell Alexander where I'd be in case of emergency." His forehead creased with worry.

"What aren't you saying?" I asked, not sure if it was my place.

"It could only be Iris. Right? You don't think my mind is going there because I've been thinking about it all week?" River's shoulders rolled forward. I'd never seen him so dejected.

I risked a step forward, wrapping my arm around him. It felt weird to be the one taking that role with him, but he leaned into the embrace, giving over to it and melting into my arms.

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