Page 99 of Wild Abandon

“What do you do?” Simon asks.

“I work at Russet Ranch, off Eldorado?” It’s the first time I haven’t told someone I am a cellist.

Simon shakes his head, not familiar with the vineyard.

He talks about the wineries he works with, and I can’t help but look over at Nate. He is pouring wine, serving beer, mixing cocktails. His sole focus is on his job, so much so that it’s like he doesn’t want to look up.

Nate stops what he’s doing when he reaches in his pocket and takes out his phone. His forehead wrinkles at the sight of the caller ID. With the phone to his ear, he holds the other hand up to his free ear and leans down, trying to hear the call. His eyes darting back and forth, his face is pinched in frustration. He can’t hear the caller on the other end. He steps back from the bar and swings around, getting away from the noise. Walking through the crowd, his hands still up to his ears, he charges out of the room and out the side door.

It isn’t my place to care what is happening. We had a moment, and now, it’s over. Yet…

Goddamn it, I know that look. I’ve seen the confusion and panic on his face before. Something must have happened to his wife, and if he’s walking away from the bar, it must be bad.

“I’ll be back,” I tell Simon. I am instantly on my feet.

Following Nate out the side door, I see him standing by the river’s edge.

“Say that again. What happened?” His back muscles are taut and tense, visible from the thin long-sleeved shirt he’s wearing. “Oh my God. I—okay, I’m at work, but I’ll be right there. I’m on my way.” He hangs up the phone and then shouts to himself, “Fuck!”

My heart sinks in my chest at the flushed look on his face. He looks like he’s going to be sick, and I want nothing more than to run to him and tell him it’s going to be okay. But I can’t. I keep my feet as grounded as possible, willing them to stay that way.

Laurie comes out. She must have also sensed that something was wrong.

Nate turns around and sees me and Laurie looking at him with concern.

“My wife…she…I gotta go.”

“You’re married?” Laurie is dumfounded. “Never mind. Yeah, go. We’ve got you covered.” She looks at me for an explanation, but I have nothing to say.

Nate is leaving.

He’s going to drive all the way to San Francisco alone in his condition. He’s too worried and scared. He’s liable to crash on the way just from trying to get there in a hurry.

He might belong to someone else, but before our night together, we were friends. I can’t let my friend be alone right now.

When he reaches his truck, I’m at the passenger side, sliding in.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m going with you.” I buckle up. I’d offer to drive, but I know better. What Nate needs right now is a source of calm.

“Crystal, I can’t expect you to—”

“I’m your friend, Nate. Let me be here for you.”

He doesn’t have time to argue. He drives as fast as he can without being dangerous. I text Justin that I had to leave due to a family emergency. The ride is quiet. Nate is in a traumatic daydream. He isn’t even blinking. His thoughts are solely on one thing.

“She had seizures after the stroke. They said it was common,” he talks into the open.

“I’m sure the doctors are doing everything they can for her,” I offer in assurance.

“She already has so little.” He’s frightened.

Placing my hand on top of his, I give what little comfort I have to give. He lets out a relieved breath, and he rolls his palm over and takes my hand. We drive the rest of the way in silence.

chapter TWENTY-ONE

Instead of going to the Golden Gate Rehab, we go the Hospital.