“This is, but this isn’t Tate’s phone.”
“I’m calling to see if Evie’s there safe.” She left without me and took my beating heart with her. I only hope she remembers to bring it back in one piece.
Tate clears his throat. “I’m going to assume since your name came up on the screen that Eric knew who you are to his sister. Do you mind telling me who you are?”
“I’m her boyfriend.” I detect no lies from my side. She might subscribe to a different story.
“That so? What boyfriend doesn’t take a cross-country flight to his girlfriend’s brother’s memorial?”
I rub a fist against my sternum. “It’s complicated and up to her if she wants to share.”
“My best friend died, so don’t take this as me being a douche when I say I’m not sure that answer is good enough.”
“The problem with that statement is what concerns her doesn’t have to be good enough for you. Not anymore.”
A long pause follows from his end. “She’s here,” he confirms.
“She good?”
“Do you want to talk to her?” A hint of bitterness is detectable in his tone.
I run my palm over my mouth, ignoring the stab of hurt. “She needs her space. As long as I know she’s safe, I can give it to her.”
“Okay.” He draws out the sound. “Do you want me to let her know you called?”
“No. What I want you to do is give me your word you’ll look out for her.”
He huffs a humorless laugh. “I don’t know if she told you what happened between us, but if she did, I can’t imagine you’d be making that statement.”
“She did,” I confirm, bracing for where he’s going with this.
“Then you realize I’m in a position to work things out with her while she’s here and away from you.” Her ex can’t hide the slightly smug note, grief over his best friend be damned.
I nearly snarl. “I think if you’re any sort of man, you’ll realize using her vulnerable position as a way to win her back is a fucked-up move. Especially after what happened between the two of you.”
“I guess we’ll see how much you trust her. You might regret letting her go without you. I know I do.” He says the last part quietly, but I hear him loud and clear.
The difference is he let her leave his life, pushed her toward the door even. She didn’t give me much choice. Leaving the way she did staved off an argument but left me with more questions than answers.
“Thanks for confirming she’s safe. I mean that. But if you so much as try to change her mind about you, you won’t win.”
I pull my cell from my ear and end the call. My fingers twitch to pull up her contact and reach out again. She made it clear with her departure that she needed this time alone, and who am I to deny her that?
I told him I trust her. That remains true. What I don’t trust is this guy’s sleazy intentions.
Before I break my promise and send her a string of texts, I tuck my phone in my pocket and climb from my Jeep. A drink will give me time to clear my thoughts and decide what to do next.
A quiet hum of chatter greets me along with a blast of air-conditioning. The smell of beer and fried food is like a beacon welcoming me home. I expected a Thursday night to be busier. I easily spot Law and Nathan sitting at the bar and chatting with Dane. A smirk slides into place. A little over a year ago, I wouldn’t have imagined these two getting along so easily. Goes to show how much things can change.
My own life is a testament.
The scrape of a stool against the floor announces my arrival, and three sets of eyes swing in my direction. A whiskey slides in front of me without invitation.
“Hey.” Nathan greets me firs
t, stretching out a leg.
Law knocks twice on the bar top. “Glad you could come out for a bit.”