Page 44 of Chasing Wildflowers
I try again. Voice mail.
And again.
And again.
By the time she finally answers, I’m back in my hotel room, and the sun sits low in the sky, too bright for the pain I feel.
“Do you have any idea what time it is?” Her voice is full of annoyance, and groggy from sleep.
“It’s Jameson.”
Her tone switches from sleep-riddled to fully alert in an instant. “Is Lane okay?”
I run a hand down my face, my other hand gripping the phone tightly to my ear. “Something happened at the bar last night, while Lane was working,” I grit out, telling her only about the incident at the bar, leaving out what happened this morning. That’s Lane’s story to tell, if she chooses to.
“Fucking Luke. I always knew he was an asshole, but I never thought he’d do something like this. I’ll go right over.” No hesitation. Just a best friend being there for her friend, no questions asked.
I hear her rummaging around, drawers opening and closing, along with the rustle of fabric. “I’m going to fucking kill him,” she spits, voice full of venom.
I stay silent, letting her rage on, not telling her that he’s already dead.
After making Kam promise to keep me updated on how Lane is doing, I send a text to my new friend Tina, the owner ofPetal & Stem, calling in a favor.
Eighteen
Lane
I wipe condensation from the mirror, a fluffy white towel wrapped around my damp body, and wince when I catch my reflection. My eyes are puffy and red-rimmed. Steam swirls around me, cocooning me in warmth. My damp hair sticking to my neck, still heavy from the shower I used as an excuse to cry.
My fingers dig into the edge of the vanity, as I take a steading breath. There is video proof of what Luke did. Chip thankfully won’t go to the cops, opting to use other methods. But Luke won’t ever come to the bar again.
I refuse to give him any more of my tears.
I also refuse to cry over Jameson.
I just wanted him to leave. I needed to process everything that had happened on my own. Then he dropped a bombshell; his father, the abuse, his mom.
I know I was cold, throwing him out after he opened up to me. I was caught in fight or flight mode.
I tell myself it's for the best. Hurting him makes my heart ache but he deserves someone who can be honest with him. Not someone who only tells half truths.
A sharp knock rattles the front door, echoing through the quiet house. I jump, breath catching in my throat.
I blow out a shaky breath.Get it together.
Jameson probably called Kam after he left, asking her to keep an eye on me. That’s just the type of perfect guy he is.
Grabbing the first t-shirt and pair of shorts my hands touch, I throw them on and pad toward the front door, the hardwood cool beneath my bare feet.
I yanked the door open, my wet hair already soaking through the back of my shirt. “I’m fine, Kam. You didn’t need to rush—” My voice trails, eyes landing on a beautiful bouquet of brightly colored wildflowers.
Jameson.
A young man, in a dark blue uniform, looks around the flowers, his lips tipping up in a warm smile that matches the sunlight spilling around him. “Good morning, ma’am. I have some flowers for Lane Maddox.”
“That’s me.” I thank him and quickly retreat inside before he can see the guilty tears threatening to spill.
The flowers sit on the counter, their scent, sweet and floral, mixes with the stale smell of coffee grounds.
