Page 94 of Space Oddities

Twenty-Three

Too Stupid to Live

Ian

Two hoursof work from my hotel room, and I’m oddly wound up.

Germany is still a go. Meetings and training sessions are scheduled, flight manifest approved and funded. My flight leaves three days after the wedding. Plenty of time to grab the anxiety meds from Dr. Brown and get Trish’s warrant revoked.

I close the lid of my work computer. For once, the NASA stuff seems the easiest to contend with. And with all the government red tape, that’s saying something.

I call Trish again. No answer.

Damn it. I toss the phone on the hotel room’s makeshift desk and rub my hands down my face. I should’ve just stormed the West ranch two days ago and kidnapped her ass, VIP list and security be damned. Now I get why Holt put a security detail on Jules.

I pause on that last thought, my mind putting pieces together. I pick up my battered phone and scroll until I hit Holt’s name.

He picks up on the second ring. “I’m just answering to let you know that I’m not allowed to talk to you until the wedding.”

Jesus. Jules sure has him whipped. But then again, I’m the guy who drove twelve hours just to meet with a private detective, so I shouldn’t judge. “I’m not trying to get Trish.” I pause, standing. “Well, Iam, but not right now.” I stand and walk to the window, the night dark but hazy from city lights. “Tonight is the bachelorette party, right? I want to make sure your security detail is still following the girls.”

“How’d you know about the security team?”

I open my mouth to explain about Ranos, but I stop. I don’t have the energy. “Never mind how I know. Just tell me the girls are together and safe.”

There’s a beat of silence, but thankfully Holt doesn’t push. “Yeah. Two guys are with them tonight. Last check-in was two hours ago when they arrived at Big Texas. No updates since.”

“Good, good,” I say absently, thinking back on other nights out with the girls that I’ve witnessed. Trish is usually the calm and collected one. It’s Rose that’s usually the wildcard.

“What’s up with you? I mean, I know they can get kind of crazy when they get together, but usually Trish reins them all in.” Holt’s words mirror my thoughts.

I brace a hand against the window, trying to think of what to say. How to explain. I don’t want to lie to Holt, but I also don’t want to betray Trish’s confidence. A headache pounds at my temples, and I feel another wave of sympathy for Trish, who’s been skating this line for the past couple years on a daily basis.

“I know things aren’t good between you guys.” Holt interrupts my thoughts. “But I’m sure you can straighten it all out at the wedding.”

Yeah, the wedding that she’s planning on running away after.

“And as hokey as it sounds, I’m rooting for you. You two seem like a good fit.” He sighs and mumbles, “And maybe with all her friends in relationships, Rose will finally settle down.”

I chuckle at that. “How’d that work with Jules?”

“Touché.”

We both laugh.

“Just let me know if anything changes.” I can’t help but sigh, annoyed that I’m not home already. “I’m out of town right now, but I’m heading back in the morning.” The thought of being stuck in my small car for another twelve hours has my muscles aching.

“You got it.”

We hang up, and I blindly toss the phone back on the bed, staring out into the city. As tired as I am, I know sleep won’t come. Thankfully, I packed a swimsuit. Habit.

I’m going to swim until my muscles go limp, until I can fall asleep comforted by the fact that Trish is used to keeping a low profile when they go out.

We just have to make it until tomorrow.

* * *

Trish

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