My mood deflated with every passing minute.
I checked the time. It wasn’t dinnertime. Maybe he was watching his show with his dad... Maybe he was busy. Maybe...
Maybe I was overthinking things. Okay, so there was a very good chance of that. In fact it was highly likely.
But did he not know that I could see he’d opened the text and not replied?
Did Deacon not know that I could see he’d left me on read?
“What’s wrong?” Ro asked.
“Hmm, maybe it’s nothing.”
“If you’re worried, it’s not nothing.”
“Deacon didn’t reply.” I had to unstick Bright off my sweater without pulling a thread. “He never doesn’t reply. I can see that he read it. Does he not know I can see he saw my text and he chose not to reply?”
Ro’s smile was patient and warm. “He’s not the kind of guy to do that deliberately. He would have good reason. Maybe he’s on a call on a farm. Maybe he’s tending to some poor, sick animal.”
Oh.
“I didn’t think of that.”
She held up her arm. “Maybe he’s up to his elbow in a cow or a horse.”
“Okay, I didn’t need to think of that.” I grimaced. “Yeesh. Do you think he’s done that before?”
“He’s a vet in a small town surrounded by ranches and mountains. I can almost guarantee he has.”
“Dear god.”
She laughed. “You’re welcome.”
“What for? The images in my head are nothing to be thankful for.”
“At least you’re not overthinking the text message anymore.”
Except now I was thinking about that again because she just mentioned it, and she could clearly tell because she sighed. “Call him, Win. You’re both grown adults. There is no reason whatsoever to play guessing games. If you need him to not leave you on read, then he should know that.”
Then his text bubble appeared. “Wait,” I said, relieved. But then it disappeared. I frowned at my phone. “Oh.”
I thumbed out a quick text.
Everything okay?
His reply was instant.
No
My heart sank, and before I could overthink some more and hit panic stations, I hit Call instead. “Deacon, what’s wrong?”
There was a beat of silence before he answered, his voice quiet. “It was not a good day.”
“Oh, Deacon, I’m so sorry. Is there anything I can do? Want me to come over?”
Another beat of silence. “No. It’s late, and the weather isn’t good. As much as I’d like to see you.”
“I can come over?—”
