This was the last call she wanted to make. It was a conversation that should’ve been done in person but after everything Ava had said, she couldn’t risk it. She had plans on talking to Cross, but not until she left Killcreek. She’d get a better sense of where she stood with him.
Addison had procrastinated long enough. She grabbed her phone and found the contact, hitting the call button before she could chicken out. She’d contemplated sending a text. It was the cowardly way but still an option. Certainly, the easier of the two. But not the one Cleo deserved.
“Hey, I was just thinking about you,” Cleo said, her voice chipper as usual.
Her sweet cheer made the guilt all the more heavy.
“Hi, how’s it going?”
“Good. I spent the last hour trying to convince Grizz we should plant a garden. He’s still not completely sold on the idea, but I think I can wear him down.”
Addison chuckled. “I’m sure you will.”
“So, do you have off? You want to do something?”
Addison dropped her face into her hand. Lying had never come easy for her. Not because she was saintly.BecauseI suck at acting.
“Addison?”
Shit!
“So, unfortunately, I have to cut my trip short.”
“What?”
“Yeah, it’s uh” —she clamped her lips, shaking her head— “Emergency back home.”
“Oh my God, is your family okay?”
Fuck!As if she hadn’t already felt horrible, Cleo’s compassion was compounding her guilt.
“Yeah, everyone’s fine. But I’m needed back home.”
“Oh. Okay.” While she was being understanding, Cleo’s disappointment was evident.
“Is there anything I can do?”
Of course, Cleo would offer.I don’t deserve this friendship.
“No, I’m just checking flights now and packing up.”
“I can help with that. Do you want me to come over?”
Seeing Cleo in person was out of the question. She’d never pull off the lie, and she couldn’t tell her the truth. Addison trusted her, but in the end Cleo was very much part of Killcreek. Her loyalty to them was stronger than hers to Addison. This was her mistake.And I don’t want to put her in a position to make her choose.
“Actually, I just need to get it all done.”
“Okay,” Cleo muttered.
“But I was thinking maybe you could come see me in Iowa in a few months.” After she had the tattoo covered, and it was fully healed.
“Really? I’d love that.”
“Then that’s what we’ll do. I gotta go but” —her eyes welled— “I’m so happy I finally got to meet you, Cleo.”
I wish we’d had more time.
“Me too.”
