“Please,” he whispers.
The way he says it is what makes me pause.
“Will you tell me what’s going on?” I ask.
“I promise, I’ll explain everything to you. Just not here, okay?”
I hold his gaze.
“Then why does this feel bigger than you’re letting on?”
His voice softens. “I’m not trying to hide anything. I’m just… trying to figure out what the hell is going on.”
I study him for a second, taking in the tension in his shoulders and the way he keeps checking his phone like he’s expecting a call.
This time, it doesn’t feel like he’s doubting me. It feels like he’s trying to figure out how much more he can take.
I exhale slowly.
“I’ll be back when you get off work. Don’t fight me on this tonight, please. I just need you with me. Where I can see you and know you’re safe.”
There’s that word again.Safe.
“I’m not promising anything.”
It comes out softer than before.
He nods once, like that’s enough for now.
I’m being stubborn now, and I know it.
“Just… think about it,” he says, pressing his palm against my cheek. He brushes his thumb along my lower lip. “And Brinley... I’m sorry. I’ll be back before you’re off.”
I nod, and he steps back before I can say anything else.
I watch him turn and walk toward the door, already pulling his phone out again.
Whatever this is, something tells me this isn’t about a notebook.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Cooper
I don’t leave Broken Saddle at first. I just walk.
I make it halfway down the block before I pull out my phone. The street stays busy around me, cars passing, sirens echoing somewhere in the distance, but none of it really registers.
Staring at the screen, I replay everything about my conversation with Brinley before I hit the Call button to dial Talon.
He answers on the second ring. “What’s up?”
“Are you at the house?” I ask.
“Yeah.”
“Can you do something for me? Can you go into my room and see if my black notebook is on my desk?”
There’s a pause, and I hear the faint sound of a door opening. It’s been driving me crazy ever since I realized it wasn’t in my luggage on our last road trip. I need him to confirm it’s there before I go out of my mind.
