And definitely not have to wait until Monday or Tuesday.
“Sorry, ma’am,” the mechanic says. “We don’t get many vans like this around here. Mostly pickups andsedans. We can order them, but they won’t be in until Monday.”
I blow out a breath, frustration tightening my throat. But I force myself to swallow it down. I’ve dealt with worse than a flat tire. Way worse. I refuse to let this derail me.
Still, a small part of me wonders if this is the universe sending me a message that I’m not supposed to leave this town yet.
It looks like it’s getting its wish. Because now I’m stuck here for an extra few days. I have no idea where I’ll stay, but I’ll figure it out.
I always do.
“Can I leave it here with you?” I ask. “I’d rather not have to drive it around with the tire like it is.”
“Of course.”
“Let me just grab a few things out of it.”
“No problem.”
I step into the chilly afternoon air and cross the parking lot toward the van. It doesn’t take me long to grab what I need, since I’d packed all my stuff when I left Hayden’s house.
Correction. When I wasfired.
The word still stings.
I’ve never been fired before in my life.
Granted, I should have verified my text had been delivered. Just like Hayden should have seen it wasn’t intentional.
But being the arrogant prick he is, he refused. It’s probably for the best, all things considered.
I just need to get through the next few days and then I can be back on my way to my next adventure.
I grab my small suitcase and laptop bag, then climb out of the van. As I lock up, I hear footsteps behind me.
“Here are the keys,” I begin, looking up. “It?—”
I stop cold.
Because it’s not the mechanic.
It’s Hayden.
But his eyes are no longer full of anger like they were the last time I saw him.
They’re forlorn, his demeanor at odds with the serious and severe man he usually is.
“W-what are you doing here?” I finally manage to get out.
“Is everything okay?” He looks at the van, then back at me. “What’s wrong with your van?”
“Flat tire,” I explain. “I need to replace the front two, but they won’t be in until Monday.”
He nods, but doesn’t say anything else. Just stares at me.
For a split second, I wonder if he knows the truth.
Did he go into the office and notice the stack of folders was out of place? Did he look through the files and somehow connect the dots?
