“I have to leave.”
“Obviously. But why? What’s wrong?”
“I said, nothing.”
I finally entered the room. “And I call bullshit.”
He zipped up his duffel. “It’s personal.”
I folded my arms and planted myself between him and the door, barring his escape. “We said we were going to try this thing between us. I’m no expert, but me supporting you fits that bill. I think we’ve moved beyond shutting me out with that bullshitit’s personal.”
His face burned red. “I have an emergency, and I need to return to the city.”
My brows shot up. “Tonight? It’s past ten o’clock. You won’t get there until well after midnight.”
“Doesn’t matter. I have to go. So if you’ll excuse me…”
“I’ll go with you.” The words came naturally without me even realizing I’d said them, and Bailey froze for a second, then snorted.
“Are you kidding me? Please move so I can leave.”
“Not until you tell me what’s going on.”
“It’s none of your business. You’re delaying me, and I need to leave.” His voice rose, and I could see he was upset, but there was something else I’d never encountered with him.
Fear.
“It’ll take me two minutes to pack.”
“I don’t need you to come with me.”
Ignoring him, I grabbed my bag from the bench and stuffed in it the few clothes I’d brought, then followed him downstairs, where he was making his apologies.
“I’m sorry, but I’ve got to leave. I have a family emergency, and I need to get to the city.”
Everyone crowded around him, but I hung back. Grady approached me. “What’s going on?”
“I don’t know, but I’m going with him. It’s late. He shouldn’t be driving alone.”
Grady nodded. “Good idea.”
“It’s not what you’re thinking,” I muttered.
“Oh, yeah? What am I thinking?” Grady arched a brow, and dammit, I could feel my face heating up.
“I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
Bailey walked out of the house, paying no attention to me, and I hefted my bag over my shoulder and followed him. When I slid into the car, next to him, he glared at me.
“I said I didn’t need you to come with me.”
“I have a bad habit. I don’t listen to people.”
Mumbling to himself, Bailey started the car, and we took off. After twenty minutes of silence, he finally spoke.
“Why are you really here?”
“It’s dark, and the roads are dangerous.”
