“I’ve got to ask since you’ve dodged most of my questions, giving bullshit one-liners. Why are we here?”
Roxanne could only put off the questions for so long, and considering Emory wasn’t known for her patience, she’d have to clue her in at some point. For Jonah’s privacy, she wouldn’t expose everything, but she’d have to give Emory something.
“You suggested dinner and drinks.” Roxanne gestured to the table and glasses.
Emory squinted. “This wasn’t what I had in mind.”
Roxanne scanned the room. Aside from the three guys at the bar and the couple playing pool in the back, it was empty. Not exactly a hot spot, but that wasn’t the reason Roxanne wanted to go. This was the bar Reuben Pryor had left the night Jonah’s parents and brother were killed.
“Rox?” Emory tapped her knuckles on the table. “Hello?”
“Don’t you ever get tired of trendy, bougie bars?”
Emory scoffed. “No.”
“Broaden your horizons. Think of it as an adventure.”
“We’re in the middle of no-man’s land with people who clearly don’t want us here. This isn’t an adventure. This is the start of a dozen horror movies.” Emory sighed and grabbed her pocketbook. “How did you even find this bar?”
“I don’t remember.” Roxanne shrugged. “Somebody must’ve mentioned it to me.”
“Who? Jonah?”
What? Roxanne gasped, and her face heated. Just hearing his name, especially in the bar, had a heavy guilt weighing on her. He’d specifically asked her to let it go. She should’ve respected his wishes. Instead, she was playing amateur investigator, unsure of what she was even looking for. Before they arrived, she considered casually asking the staff a few questions, steering the conversation toward Rueben Pryor. Thatplan was aborted after five minutes. No one would be sharing any information.
“No, I don’t remember who told me.” Roxanne stood while Emory tossed three twenties on the table, covering the bill with a generous tip.
As they walked out, she glanced at the bartender, who was staring at them. Roxanne smiled, offering a small wave that wasn’t returned.
They walked through the parking lot, heading to her car.
“Next time, I pick the place.”
Roxanne didn’t bother answering. It’d be a forty-five minute drive. Definitely too long in Emory’s eyes, but she wouldn’t notice an extra ten minutes if Roxanne took a different route. She didn’t know the exact location of his family’s accident. Even if there had been some type of address, it was a heavily wooded area with houses set acres from the road.
It was strange to drive on the dark, desolate road knowing this was where his parents and brother had died. A heavy wave of guilt washed over her as if she were trespassing on sacred land. It was a public road, and she had every right to be there. But with Jonah in mind, and what he’d think of her out here, her stomach twisted. Everything felt wrong, and regret hit her instantly. If Jonah ever found out, he’d be upset with her.
“Rox!” Emory shouted, and Roxanne locked eyes with the animal in the middle of the road. Instinctively, she jerked the wheel and at the last second, veered onto the shoulder, missing the deer by only a foot. She slammed on the brakes, gripping tightly to the steering wheel and trying to regain control of her breathing. Her heart was beating so hard, the pounding was blasting in her ears.
Holy shit!
Roxanne hadn’t even seen it until the very last second when Emory screamed. What if Emory hadn’t seen it? She would’veplowed right into him. Roxanne had only gotten a quick look, but he appeared massive.
“Oh my God,” Emory twisted in her seat, looking out the back window. “Where the fuck did he come from?”
Roxanne sat frozen with her heart beating erratically. This was all hitting too close to home. Not hers but Jonah’s. It was as if she were getting a clue what might have initially caused his family’s accident.
“You okay? You look pale.” Emory grabbed her hands, forcing them off the wheel. “Rox?”
She shook her head, trying to rid her mind of his family.
“Talk to me before I freak out.”
That was the last thing she needed. She drew in a breath and rolled her shoulders, trying to ease the tension in her muscles.
“I’m okay. I just didn’t see him.”
“That was some Houdini shit.” Emory stretched her neck, peering out the window. “He didn’t even move, and now he’s gone. Too weird. Let’s get outta here.”
