Outside, the sun was dipping toward the horizon.
Where was my wife? School had let out hours ago.
When I peered outside, Deon rode by. He glanced at the house and waved at me. It took me a moment to remember I should wave back. These windows weren’t one-way glass, and I wasn’t high above the city.
He sped off after I returned his greeting.
Where the hell was my wife?
My stomach growled again. She’d only packed a lunch. What was she eating for dinner? Who was she eating with?
I went to grab my keys to leave, but damn. No keys. No car. I hadn’t even considered that when she’d left. If she’d thought of it, she’d left me hanging.
Because you deserved it.
Deep down, I knew that wasn’t her. She might’ve absconded with the food I didn’t deserve after my abrupt departure, but she wouldn’t leave me stranded intentionally.
I found my athletic shoes that I usually reserved for the gym and changed into jeans and a gray Silver hoodie gifted by the marketing department that I’d only worn once in the years I’d had it. Then I left the house andlocked her door. A simple knob lock wouldn’t stop a soul, but I couldn’t flip a dead bolt without a key. I couldn’t wave a card and have it lock either.
Keep the windows and door open, Giddy. I love the fresh air.I shook off Mom’s voice, clearer now that I was in Montana, and set out for the school.
I navigated the town like I’d never left. Cars passed and people gawked, but I didn’t pay attention.
When I reached the flat, one-level brick school, the doors were locked. “Goddammit.” I could see classroom lights on. What the hell should I do? Knock on a window?
A couple of women were coming toward the door, chatting with each other. When they spotted me, they stopped and stared. I gestured to the door, not used to having to ask for permission for entry. I could go anywhere and everywhere in a casino that employed more people than lived in the city limits of Bourbon Canyon.
Finally, the woman with long, black hair pulled into a high ponytail opened the door a few inches. “Gideon?”
“Yes?” I didn’t recognize her. I had to be almost twice her age.
Her face lit up in a zealous way that had me taking a step back.
Her companion’s mouth fell open. “You’re Autumn’s—” A high-pitched squeal left her. “Oh my god. I can’t believe you two— I mean, it’s just...” They stared at me some more.
These must be two of the women who’d ditched my wife outside the club. “And you two left her alone in a giant city?”
Their expressions fell at once and their guilt was identical.
“I really didn’t think they’d leave her outside the whole night,” the one with black hair said.
“She seemed like she wanted to go to the room from her texts,” the other said. “I should’ve seen through them.”
“Yes. You should’ve.”
They exchanged a look that shared blame but alsoWhat’s with this guy?
The first woman flipped her dark ponytail over her shoulder. “She’s in the gym helping with the set for the program on Thursday.”
Right. She’d mentioned evening work obligations to Dad. I’d been too wrapped up in my own drama. I could take a month off and work from home. Autumn’s work was different.
“Thanks,” I forced myself to say as I maneuvered around them.
“The gymnasium’s on the left,” one of them called after me, “then a right at the end of the hall.”
I didn’t bother telling them I’d gone to school here.
I felt like a giant walking past lines of coat hooks that were at chest level and cubbies that hardly reached my shoulders. I didn’t bother to look inside the classrooms.
