“Thought you were taking Mara to her hospital appointment today?”
“That’s not until four.”
“It’s cool. I can handle it myself.” I’m not mentioning Callan is coming with, because he seems to be a touchy subject for my best friend.
“Call me if you change your mind,” she says, glancing over her shoulder as her gran calls out for her.
“Will do. Good luck at the hospital, and tell Mara I said hi.”
Callan trails me to Joe’s house, but it’s a wasted journey because no one is home. So, I say goodbye and head to work early.
Work is hectic, and I barely have a second to breathe. The hotel is hopping with activities all weekend, and people are constantly coming and going from the desk. The phone is also busy, and I’m rushed off my feet attending to guests in person and on the phone. I don’t mind. At least the shift is going fast because I’m flagging and dying to go home, get into my PJs, and crawl into bed to watch a movie.
I’ve just checked in a couple, and I’m finishing the online form when a shadow looms over the desk. When I look up, I’m startled to find Callan in front of me. “Here for a workout?” I ask, noticing he’s in training gear.
“Yeah, and I wanted to let you know the news.”
“News?” I click on a button to complete the form and give him my undivided attention.
Alarm spikes in my veins when Callan’s expression turns grave. “Your ex was in an accident last night on his way home from the party. An elderly couple found his car wrapped around a tree when they were out walking at six. He’s at the hospital, and they don’t know if he’s going to make it.”
Shock skitters through me. “Oh my god.” I clasp a hand to my mouth.
“The cops are investigating, and they want to speak to anyone who was at the party.”
“Fan. Will the guys get in trouble?” I don’t know what kind of beating Joe took before he left, and I really hope that wasn’t a factor in whatever happened.
Callan sighs before dragging a hand through his hair. “Maybe.” He shrugs. “We don’t know enough yet to tell, but it could be serious.”
“This is awful.”
“Yep.” He grips the strap of his bag tighter. “They will definitely want to speak to you.”
I nod slowly. “I’ll drop by the station after my shift.”
“Why don’t we go together?” he suggests. “Unless you’d prefer to go with your parents?”
“Hell no. I don’t want Mom or Dad knowing the details of what happened last night.” Dan is the local sheriff, and he’s a good guy. He’s lived here his entire life, and he knows everyone. I have no issue talking to him without my parents. It’s not like I’m a suspect or being brought in for official interrogation.
“I can pick you up, and you can leave your car here until tomorrow. I’ll bring you over in the morning to collect it.”
It would be good to have company when I’m giving my statement. “Okay, that’d be good. I’ll see you at nine.”
33
CALLAN
“Morning, beautiful.” I lean against Astrid’s locker on Friday morning as I hand over the cappuccino and cake.
“How long are you going to keep this up?” Astrid fights a smile as she lifts the lid on the paper cup and inhales the coffee.
“As long as it takes to win you back.”
“I’ll be fat as a fool if you keep this up, and you won’t want me anymore,” she teases.
“I will always want you,” I say as Riley and a few of the guys pass by. They stick their fingers in their mouths and make gagging sounds.
“You’ve turned into a total pussy, Irish.” Chris slaps me on the back.
