Page 85 of Home in the Country
“I’ll tell him.”
“Youhaveto, Fallon. If you don’t, I will.”
“You arenottelling him.”
“Have you seen that dude? I mean I can hold my own but if he tries to fight me, I’m throwing you right the hell under the bus.”
I scowl and he smirks.
“Go. I’ll take care of the bill and try not to get maimed on my way out of here.”
Grabbing my purse from the bench next to me, I stand. “Now you’re being dramatic.”
“Uh-huh. Let’s revisit this conversation later.”
Racing out of the restaurant, I can’t find Otto’s truck anywhere.
Shit.
My phone is already in my hand and I’m dialing his number, but it doesn’t even ring before his voicemail picks up.
I dial him again and…nothing.
Looking at the time, panic starts to set in. I need to find Otto and explain, but I only had my lunch break to spare today. Tanner arrived earlier than expected, and I didn’t have enough notice to take the day off. He’s excited to get Briggs from school, which is great, but it doesn’t save me from the shitstorm I just caused.
Dialing the phone again, it rings three times before a familiar voice answers.
“Everything okay?”
“Case! Thank God you picked up. Have you seen Otto? I don’t have time to explain but Iswearit’s not what it looked like, and he left before I could explain and I know people say thatall the timebut I swear—I just need to find him.”
The last part comes on a choked sob as I get in my car and start it.
Case is silent on the other end, and I know it’s bad, maybe worse than I imagined.
“I haven’t talked to Otto,” he says slowly, “but I did get a call tellin’ me you’re holding hands with your ex-husband durin’ the lunch rush.”
“To comfort, Case. I put my hand over his, and I would’ve done the same thing if you were havin’ a hard time and confided in me.”
“You promise?”
“I swear on my love for my son.”
A heavy breath comes over the line.
“I’ll fix the gossip from Smokin’ Joes, and I’ll let you know if I see Otto. You got him up in knots, Fallon. It’s only ever been you.”
“He’s it for me, Case. I just…I screwed up. I was scared and—”
“Make it right,” he says, cutting off my rambling thoughts.
“I will.” I say the words with confidence, but Case only grunts before disconnecting the call.
I try Otto again but it goes to voicemail, and I have to get back to school before my class starts.
This is only a speed bump.
Resolved to not let myself spiral, I type out a message to Otto.
