Paul, who I’d loved and never told. Who’d died before I could work up the courage to do anything about it. I’d spent a long time alone after that, until Cole had come along. I’d been hollowed out. Gutted but going through the motions anyway. And after Cole had left, I had been sinking back into the same darkness.
Then I’d found Reed. And for a little while, I’d let myself believe it could be different.
Was I repeating the same mistake? Was I running again, instead of fighting for what mattered?
But Reed didn’t want me. He’d made that clear.
So what was I supposed to fight for?
I drove for a long time, until the mountain road became a two-lane road that eventually led me onto the freeway. I turned everything over and over in my mind until I felt exhausted.
I yawned. Then tears suddenly blurred my vision, emotions hitting me full force without warning.
I blinked the wetness away, trying to even out my breathing.
I needed to calm down before I kept going. And possibly sleep.
Then I spotted a rest-stop sign through the windshield.
Sucking in a shuddering breath, I pulled off the freeway and into the rest stop parking lot. I turned the engine off, my hands shaking, tears still blinding me.
I didn’t want to be alone right now. But I didn’t have much of a life at all. No friends, except Cole.
I pulled my phone out and looked at the screen, hesitating. I’d never tried being messy with him before. What if—
No. I needed him. And I trusted him, too.
I found Cole’s contact and called.
He answered on the first ring. “Harris. Finally. I’ve been waiting for—”
“Reed told me to leave,” I said, the words tumbling out before I could stop them.
“That bastard,” he said, his tone sharpening dangerously. “Alpha or not, I’ll—”
“No. I don’t want that,” I said immediately. “I just—look, I’ve been driving for hours, but I don’t even know where I’m going anymore.”
Silence.
Then Cole said, “You’re coming here, obviously.”
My throat tightened. “What?”
“To Seattle. Well, north of Seattle. You can come stay with me and Eli. We have plenty of room. And you shouldn’t be alone right now.” He paused. “I’m fairly certain this is an ice creamor baked goods situation. Possibly both. Perhaps with reality television and much complaining about how vile men are.” More seriously, he added, “I’m not really sure of the details, but we can figure it out.”
I let out a bark of laughter and relief hit me like a wave, so strong it left me dizzy. “Yeah,” I said. “Okay. Yeah. Let’s do it. Pizza and beer, though.”
“We can do pizza and beer if you wish, but I’m firm on the ice cream, detective. Text me when you’re close. I’ll send you the address.”
“It’ll be a minute. I need to sleep here for a bit. I’m not in good shape to drive.”
“Very well. I’ll be annoyed with you if you get yourself killed.”
“Thanks, Cole.”
“Of course, detective. Drive when you’re once again able to do so.” His voice softened before he added, “This is what friends are for.”
With that, he hung up.
