Page 45 of Raven's Curse
Foster grimaced. “I didn’t mean…”
“It’s okay. I know you’ve all experienced worse.”
Chase reached over and eased the marker out of her hand, then placed his palm on the small of her back. “All right. Enough theorizing for a while. I’m taking you to the café to eat, then you’re getting some sleep. And that’s not up for debate.”
Bodie crossed his arms. “Chase’s right. You’re working twice as much as everyone else. Time to shut it down for a few hours. Zain’s gonna keep me company, and Jordan’s going to hang with Kash once they’re back from dealing with more frat antics. I believe it involved streaking, this time.”
Greer laughed. “Those poor fools. Wait. Where’s Eli?”
“He stopped to help state patrol with a tractor incident up Foster’s way. I’m having him check-in every fifteen, and he knows to go directly back to my place and get some sleep once they’re done. No detours. No stopping for anything without backup.”
“It’s almost as if you’re trying to show me I’m not needed?”
“Not for the next several hours.”
“Five, and I’ll bring coffee.” She looked at Chase. “Extra caffeine.”
Chase shook his head, then motioned to the door. “Food. Then, sleep.”
Greer scowled but grabbed her jacket and headed for the door. She’d take the break — give Bodie time to gather some intel. All she needed was a single lead.
Chapter Twelve
It was official.
Chase needed to pull himself together — shove the guilt and uncertainty down until he needed a roadmap to find it — or he’d lose Greer.
She hadn’t said that. Had sat quietly in her Bronco as he’d driven to the café, her hands clasped in her lap. Her gaze focused on the passing scenery. She’d been there, but distant.
Just like he’d been for the past few days. So focused on her safety, he’d been unable to see the toll the events had taken on her. Sure, he’d known she was exhausted. Pressured. That she harbored guilt. But hearing the tremor in her voice when she’d talked about the same mission he’d nearly died on — all the red in his ledger he still owed Rhett — it had all become painfully clear.
She was drowning, too.
It had changed him. Or maybe just lifted some of the shadows. And he’d finally understood what Foster and Kash had been trying to say.
That she was his redemption. His second chance.
He sighed as she sat across from him, chewing on her cheeseburger. Looking as if she wanted to be anywhere but there.
He reached out, gave into the urge to tuck some hair behind her ear. She startled at the light touch, pushing out a few frantic breaths before relaxing.
He’d done that to her. Left her questioning his intentions. If he’d thrown away several months’ worth of friendship. Decided she wasn’t worth fighting for.
He could fix it.
At least, he hoped he could. That their relationship hadn’t cracked beyond healing. That there was still enough of them worth saving.
Greer chuckled. “Have I got something stuck in my teeth?”
He grinned. “No.”
“Then, why the look?”
“I’m just trying to gauge how much I’ve screwed things up.”
Those full, pink lips pursed into a slight frown. “Screwed what up?”
“Us.” He waved between them. “This. I know I haven’t really been there for you since…” He swallowed. “Rhett.”
