“Ten minutes?” Fuck. I thought we were closer than that. Her annoyed gaze briefly snaps to mine but I don’t care.
“Please. Hurry. This is bigger than you think and—”
“Zane, stop. You’re drunk and panicking. You need to calm down.”
“I. Am. Calm. And I love you but I swear to God if you don’t speed the fuck up…”
“I’m pulling over.” She puts her indicator on and gives me a shove. “You’re not thinking clearly. I promise I’ll protect her but I’m not letting her see you like this. You’re a mess.”
“No. Keep going. There’s no time. I’m not getting out.”
“Zane.”
“No, Sierra. Stop.” I grab the steering wheel and push it away from me, spinning my truck back onto the road. “Just—”
“Zane!” Sierra’s scream fills the air, tires screech, light flashes, and then…
CHAPTER FIFTY
Blair
CURRENT DAY
My phone vibrates and my heart jumps, but when I see that it’s Mom, my hope fades. I texted Zane when I landed yesterday and he still hasn’t responded. At the time, I assumed he’d just fallen asleep, since we’d had a long night, but at almost twenty-four hours and three texts later, I’m worried.
“Was that him?” Cade asks, his nagging tone pissing me off.
“Again,whyare you still here?”
Cade shrugs like it’s no big deal. “I told you. I needed a mental health break. I’m here on vacation.”
Ugh. No matter how many times he says it, it’s still annoying. I arrived back at Jenna's and found brother dearest still crashingon her couch. I would have sent him packing if I didn’t feel bad for not really supporting him through his breakup.
“I’m sorry. I’m just a little stressed. That was Mom. Happy?”
“She misses you. You should come home. I know the job in San Francisco sounds amazing—”
“And right up my alley.”
“And right up your alley,” he reluctantly agrees. “But I still don’t like it. You’ll be alone in another state. You’ll be starting life from scratch.”
“I accepted the job, Cade. You know that. I’m going home next week to tell Dad in person. Plus, I wouldn’t be alone. Zane lives in San Francisco.”
“You’re alone right now, so I’m worried.”
“So am I. ButI’mworried abouthim.”
“Why?” His tone turns accusatory and it pisses me off even more.
“Because this isn’t like him, Cade. He’s not the type to just disappear.”
“Are you kidding me? Did you hear what you just said? He disappeared for years, B.”
“Because I asked him to.” My loud tone draws Jenna’s attention and she peers around the corner, her expression sympathetic. Like me, she’s worried. But unlike me, she thinks Cade’s just looking out for me.
Cade sighs, his shoulders dropping as he sinks back into the wall behind him. “You don’t even know him anymore.” He runs a hand down his face. “I shouldn’t have let him come back here.”
“Let him? It’s not your choice if I see him or not.”
