TANNER
DEACON: Will I see you tonight?
TANNER: No, we’re on the way to go pick up as many dogs as we can from a hoarding call—I have no idea when we’ll be back
DEACON: Tomorrow?
TANNER: I have Briggs the next two days
TANNER: What about after that?
DEACON: I told Jude I’d help out at the bar
Fuck.
“What’s wrong?” Sorren asks without taking his eyes off the road as he guns it and merges onto the highway.
Blowing out a breath, I glance at the passing scenery as I try to formulate an answer that doesn’t feel like I’m insecure and needy—which to be fair, I totally am.
“It’s just going to be a few days until I can see Deacon and?—”
“You’re not spiraling.”
He says firmly like he knows that’sexactlywhat I’m doing. But really, how could I not? This has always been my life—things are going great and then the rug gets pulled out from under me and I’m left reeling.
DEACON: Maybe we can figure out lunch or coffee
TANNER: Okay
“I’m goingto have to tell Cal he won’t be able to bring the kids by until we get the dogs settled,” I say instead, trying to distract myself even though itisrelevant. Cal has been coaching the varsity boys cross-country team, and a couple of times a week they come before school to take some of the dogs on their morning run.
It’s been great for everyone involved, but it’ll be too stressful to have that much commotion over the next several days.
“Don’t change the subject.”
“I’m not,” I fire back, huffing as I send a quick text to Cal and let my phone drop into my lap. “Dating is hard and it feels impossible right now finding time.”
“I thought things were really good.”
“They are,”I whine. “That’s the problem. They’re so good but that’s because things have been working, but I already miss him. How can I miss him? It hasn’t been that long.”
“Distance makes the heart?—”
“Don’t give me bullshit platitudes.”
He snorts as he gets off the next exit, slowing his speed as he follows the curve of the off ramp.
DEACON:I know now isn’t the time but when things settle down Arden asked about doing dinner with them
When things slow down…
Sure.
TANNER: That sounds good
“Tanner…”
“I know what you’re going to say and I’m not like you, okay? You and Rhea fought for each other. I get it—but this is me. This is therapy on and off for years and journaling and trying to be a good example for Briggs when I don’t know who the hell I am half the time.”
