Page 60 of Tracing Holland

“What?Has it?”

“I have no clue.Probably not,” I laugh.

“How can you not know?”she argues, crinkling her nose in an adorable scowl.

“It’s not like I keep a diary of this stuff,” I cry in exasperation.

“You should.It’s fascinating.”

“Fascinating?”

“So when guys fight, do you actually do the whole ‘I’m gonna cut you!’‘No, I’m gonna cut you, bitch!’thing first or what?Like, do you try to work it out with empty threats before the fists fly?”

I shake my head with a grin and rub my eyes.“Oh my god, you’re relentless.”

“So that’s a no?”

“Actually, I’m pretty sure Wes did call me a bitch.”

“What?No…really?”

I groan.“Can we please not talk about this anymore?”

“Ok, fine!Just one more question.”

I sigh and roll my eyes.“Fine, what?”

“I get the whole macho testosterone thing, but did it ever occur to you that maybe throwing punches isn’t the best choice for a guy who makes his living playing guitar?”

I laugh and wrestle her against the sheets, responding with a kiss that eliminates any lingering questions.

Hollandand I have pretty much decided to test our espionage skills and figure out a way to spend the next four days in this hotel room when I get a text from Callie that uproots my world yet again.

“Shit,” I mutter, staring at my phone in disbelief as I balance on the edge of the bed.

“What is it?”Holland asks, coming up behind me and resting her chin on my shoulder.

I rub my hand over my face.“It’s Casey this time…Dammit!”I turn and give her a quick kiss before rising to collect my clothes.“I have to go.”

“Yeah, of course.Is everything ok?What’s wrong?Is Casey ok?”

I sigh as I pull on my jeans.“Have you seen my shirt?”

“By the door, I think.”

“Thanks.”

“Luke, what is it?What’s going on?”

I stop and face her.“Casey’s father died.He didn’t find out until today and the funeral is Wednesday.”

“What?I’m so sorry!Why wouldn’t his family have told him?”

I shake my head, suddenly angry more than anything.“It’s complicated.I have to go find him.”

“Yes, of course!”She joins me by the door.“Hey, wait.”

I do, even as my mind races into the hallway.I have to go, I have to…but the frenetic urgency fades into a strange sense of peace when she slips her arms around me and pulls me close.