Someone who doesn’t stand there and hope she comes back on her own.
But—
“Logan,” I say, my chin quivering. “I don’t want you to get hurt by whatever happens next.”
Logan’s mouth pulls to the side, but he sniffs and shakes his head. “All I needed was to be part of the conversation, Luke. I love you, man. I want you to be happy. And no one makes you happier than Scottie. Go.”
The second I have his permission, I rush him, giving him a tight hug. Pounding his back and crying in his ear. “I love you, bro.”
“Love you, too.” He sniffs, squeezes me, then pushes me away. “Now go.”
I’m already halfway to the door when I turn. “Wait! Can you guys do me a favor?”
They both look over.
“I need you to call Pinnacle Perk Coffee …”
***
The hallway blurs past me, hotel carpet muffling my steps. I don’t bother waiting for the elevator. She’s only four floors above me.
She could be gone in four floors.
I shove open the stairwell door.
Concrete.
Echo.
The metallic slam of the door reverberates behind me as I take the stairs two at a time, one hand sliding along the rail tokeep from missing a step. My lungs are on fire halfway up, but it’s not from exertion.
It’s from fear.
That image of Scottie folding her arms. Stepping back from me. SayingWatch me?—
No.
No, I won’t.
By the time I reach her floor, my pulse is pounding hard in my throat. I rush down the hallway past a row of closed doors and a housekeeping cart until I reach hers.
I don’t hesitate this time. I pound.
“Scottie!”
Nothing.
I pound again, harder this time, the sound echoing down the quiet hallway.
“Scottie!”
Silence presses back at me. No footsteps. No rustle from inside. Not even the faint sound of the TV.
My phone is already in my hand. I call her.
Straight to voicemail.
My stomach twists.
