Kendrick finally stopped walking that track of hardwood floor and turned his attention to Athena. “You knew?”
It took her a moment for her eyes to leave the window and return his gaze. A silent nod gave him his answer.
A moment passed.
“I figured it out at dinner the other night.”
He had a hundred questions, it seemed. But right now, he needed his old friend to know something. “I’m not upset with you. It wasn’t really your place to tell.”
Athena offered him a half smile. “She knew I knew. I talked to her. Told her a relationship needed a sure foundation. Not one of lies. Or something to that effect.” She offered a little shrug. “I should have said or done more. I’m sorry.”
Kendrick turned to face Jack, Ace, Isaiah, Matteo, and their Littles, who were all gathered around along the back wall of the spacious room. The sound of playing Littles and laughter drifted in. But no one was focused on that right now.
“Maybe she’ll go back to her apartment,” Iris offered.
“Yeah. She might just be out somewhere blowing off some steam and trying to figure things out,” Cami said with a hopeful nod.
Kendrick smiled at the ladies. “You all are sweet. But I checked her place. It’s cleaned out.” He sighed. “Wherever she’s going, I don’t think she’s planning on coming back.”
“Did you try calling her again?” Lana asked.
“Yes, sweetie. She’s not answering.”
Kendrick started pacing again. After several passes, he stopped in front of the window and stared out. A few hours had passed since his sweetie had run away. She could be anywhere at this point.
Then a thought struck him.
He turned around to face the group. “Kentucky! She’s going back home.”
Athena stood, the realization registering in her eyes. “She mentioned a cabin the other night! She still has a place there.”
Kendrick nodded. “The only problem is I don’t know exactly where that’s at.”
“Wait!” Lana said. “You can track her!”
Kendrick, along with everyone else, looked at her.
“Remember?” she said “At Universal. You made her share her location with you. Unless she’s turned it off…”
Kendrick didn’t hear anything else that was said. He already had his phone out, looking.
How had he forgotten that?
“Gotcha!” he yelled. Looking up, wearing a wide grin, he said, “She’s heading toward the Nevada border. I guarantee you she’s going to Kentucky.”
“How?” Athena asked.
“Must have rented a car,” Kendrick said. “She’s had to have done it before. Tonya showed up in a vehicle a time or two, right?”
“That’s right!” Athena confirmed.
“That has to be what she’s done this time around. She rented a car to drive home,” Kendrick said, talking more to himself than anyone present.
Another realization nearly mowed him over. But there wasn’t time to wallow in his worry.
“Shit. That snowstorm. She’s heading straight into it.”
Everyone hurried to him.
