I popped my head out from the refrigerator. “Why? Everything okay?”
“Yeah.” She said everything was fine, but her voice lacked conviction. And she avoided looking me in the eye.
“Are you sure? You’ve been acting weird ever since the night of Jodi’s wedding.”
Rayven never really opened up a whole lot, at least not so much anymore, but she’d been even less forthcoming since the wedding.
“I already gave you my answer,” she said. “Some business I need to take care of. This town seems safe enough, and the security system on this place is quality. I doubt you’ll have any problems, but I can call someone to come down here if you need.”
“Come down here?” I asked, feeling like I was five steps behind in this conversation.
“To keep an eye on you.”
I shook my head, realizing she was referring to hiring another security person. “That won’t be necessary. I don’t think,” I said. “Jodi says this town is safe, and I’m mostly here at the house anyway.”
I didn’t have any plans to go out and make my presence known around the city of Harlington or anywhere else in Texas. I had one purpose for being there, and it was to make music.
“All right. Call and let me know if you need me to send someone down,” Rayven said before moving from the dining area toward the hallway.
I followed her to the smaller bedroom she had claimed for her own when we moved in a few days earlier.
“You’re packing now? When are you leaving?” I asked as Rayven tightly folded the few clothes she’d unpacked into her suitcase.
“My flight leaves in a few hours.”
I was shocked. But my cousin didn’t stop to turn to look at me or even notice. I peered at the few items she’d unpacked. Her bed barely appeared as if she’d slept in it. I put two and two together.
“You never planned on staying with me,” I said.
That got her to turn around. “I didn’t intend on remaining here in Texas for the entire time you were here. We talked about that.”
When I originally planned to come out to Texas, I thought I’d only need a couple of weeks or a month. But as the days dragged on and no music came, I decided to extend my stay for however long I needed.
I nodded. “Yes, I know. But I thought you’d at least stay a month or so.”
“You’re moved in and comfortable. It’ll be quiet out here, which is what you’re looking for. You’ll be fine. You know how to reach me if something pops off.”
I wasn’t worried about my safety or any possible danger. My concern was more so about companionship. I didn’t know anyone else here, aside from Jodi. I still hadn’t confided in my assistant about my whereabouts and didn’t plan on letting her or anyone else know.
I let out a sigh. “Are you sure everything’s okay with you?” I continued to watch as Rayven zipped her suitcase. “Did something happen?”
She stood her suitcase up. “Something’s always happening. Nothing I can’t handle.”
That cryptic answer was as much as I was going to get. Rayven never gave more than she wanted or was ready to let slip. It worked well when it came to her work as a security professional, but it was hell on a relationship of any kind.
“Do you need a ride to the airport?” I asked, knowing I couldn’t stop her if she insisted on leaving.
She shook her head. “I’ve got an Uber already on the way.”
“What’d you do, call it from the grocery store?”
I meant it as a joke, but she answered with, “I scheduled it last night after I booked my flight. I went to the grocery store to make sure you had enough food for the next few days.”
We spent the remainder of our time together putting away the groceries and going over the security system. Rayven made sure I knew it inside and out.
“I’ll call you when I land in New York.”
“Okay,” I said, pulling her in for a hug. As usual, she stiffened at the embrace but eventually wrapped her arms around me for a short time.
