“No,” he says, curt. “Anything else?”
“When was she here?”
“She left twenty minutes ago, after the last time we saw your truck pass.”
“Which direction did she go?”
“I’m not telling you that.”
I squeeze my eyes and try not to give in to my desire to say something rude.
“I guess I should thank you, boy. You reminded her that she needs to put her well-being first. You were holding her back, and now she can focus on what she came here to do.”
I’m over this conversation. Arguing with this loon isn’t getting me anywhere closer to finding Brynn. Without saying anything else, I walk back to my truck. It’s late and the sun is setting. Brynn wouldn’t go anywhere at night. She’s too afraid.
Turning the truck around, I drive down the street and into Brynn’s driveway. I know Walt is watching from his post at the window, so I send a one-fingered wave his direction. My mom would try to put me over her knee for that, but right now I don’t care. Walt doesn’t have the market cornered on asshole behavior.
“Brynn,” I shout, knocking on her door. “I know you’re there, so don’t act like you’re not.”
The door opens. She looks at me like she’s perfectly fine. There are no tears, no wavering lips. The waters of her eyes are calm.
“What’s up?” she asks. Her voice is fine too. Chirpy, even.
“I’ve been blowing up your phone. Why aren’t you answering?”
“I put it on silent when I left your house.”
“Listen, I’m sorry about that. Nothing was going on and—”
“Connor, I know nothing was going on. You were standing in your open garage.”
“Then why are you upset?”
“I’m not upset.”
“What are you then? I was just at Walt’s looking for you, and the way he acted made it seem like you were out for my blood.”
She rolls her eyes. “He’s melodramatic, in case you haven’t noticed.”
“Can I come in? Can we talk?” My weight shifts forward automatically, like my request will be accepted.
“I don’t think so. Seeing you with her was good for me. I needed to remember why I came here. You don’t need to be caught up in my mess.”
“I want to be in your mess.” Leaning my palm on the door frame, I settle in for a fight.
“Don’t say that. Nobody wants to be in my mess.”
“That’s what people who care about each other do. They sit in the muck together, until they can stand and get out of it.”
“No, Connor. I’m sorry. You and I can’t go any further. I got caught up and shouldn’t have allowed it in the first place. Please accept this as my immediate and official resignation. Personally, and professionally.”
Her hands clasp together in front of her and her face is passive. No expression whatsoever. On my face, there is a lot of expression. I feel the opening of my mouth, the shock of my pulled-together eyebrows.
“Brynn, you can’t be serious. Do you remember last night? You slept in my arms.”
She nods. “That was nice. Thank you for giving me companionship.”
“But… but…” I hate how I sound. I hate how I look. How can I salvage this? It doesn’t help that the longer I stand here, the angrier I feel. “Companionship? That’s what this was?” I’m working to keep my voice down, but it’s tough. “No, Brynn. No. You’re lying right now. To yourself. Your eyes have been telling a different story since our first kiss.”
