“She won’t open the door to you even if she is in.”
“I doubt she’ll answer the door to you either right now.”
I huff out a laugh, even though it’s anything but funny. “Touche, motherfucker. Still, she might open it to smack me one, so I’ll give it a shot.
“I’ll go talk to Olivia. Maybe she’s hiding out there,” Aiden says.
I nod. “Can’t hurt to ask.”
“I’ll wander around town then, see if I can spot her.” Felix shrugs, knowing that’s the most unlikely option of all. Though, saying that, I never expected to see her at the park.
I slap him on the back. “Alright, I’ll catch you guys later. And thanks for this. I mean, I appreciate it.”
“It’s nothing you wouldn’t do for one of us.” Aiden shrugs.
I head to my truck, not wanting to waste more time.
I already know she’s not there when I pull up, but I check anyway. I look in through the windows and head around back, but the place is too quiet. I’d jimmy the back door open if I thought she was inside, but it’s pointless now. I pull out my cell phone and dial her, but it rings and rings before cutting to the automated voice mail, telling me to leave my contact info after the beep.
“Sorrow, it’s Banner. Look, what you heard…it wasn’t what it seemed. My mom was in a rage. I was trying to get her to calm down. I know that’s no excuse for the shit that I said, but I didn’twant her rage focused on you. You’ve been through enough and?—”
The phone beeps,andit cuts out.
“For fuck sake.”
I start texting.
I didn’t mean anything I said to her. I’m sorry I hurt you. That was never my intention. Please let me apologize in person. Just text me where you are, and I’ll come to you. I’ll make this right, I swear.
I wait, wondering where to go next, when my phone pings with an incoming message. I blow out a relieved sigh when I see it’s from Sorrow. I open it and groan at the two-word answer.
Fuck you.
It takes me three hours to find her. When I push the door to the diner open, I can feel the unwelcome vibes rolling through the place.
I glance around and see Sorrow in the back. Her shoulders are hunched, her head down, with a half-empty glass of lemonade in front of her. As I walk close, I hear the discontent coming from the other tables—the whispered judgments and name-calling, the sarcastic quips and sharp barbs—all aimed at the woman who is slowly fading before my eyes.
Fuck this.
I glare at anyone who catches my eye. Nina, the waitress behind the counter, has a harried expression on her face.
When I reach the table, I stop. “Sorrow.”
Her head whips up, and she scowls at me before jumping to her feet. I see the dried tear tracks on her face and want to set fire to everyone who made her cry, myself included.
“What you think you heard?—”
She shoves me before I can continue.
“I was downplaying everything just to get her to shut up and leave.”
Another shove, and this time I go back a step.
“I don’t want her targeting you, and it was the only thing I could think?—”
She shoves me again before swiping fresh tears from her face, wincing when she notices everyone watching. She dips her head, but I slide my fingers under her jaw and tip her head back.
“No more hiding.”
