Page 59 of All I Feel

It was Friday,just one day shy of a week since I’d shared my feelings with Tessa. Except for Sunday, when our entire group of friends had visited with Chloe and Hawk, I hadn’t seen Tessa.

We’d spoken to one another regularly throughout the week, and fortunately, our conversations felt like they always had. I’d been worried that after I’d shared all that I had, it would change things between us. It hadn’t, and for that, I was grateful.

But I did feel some conflict. Because I couldn’t stop myself from wondering if we’d ever have more than just our friendship. Now that it was out there, all I wanted was for Tessa to tell me she felt the same and wanted to explore something even more meaningful between us.

Since it was approaching the end of my workday, and I missed Tessa, I decided I’d give her a call to ask if she wanted to spend some time together over the weekend. Nosooner did I shove my hand into the pocket of my jeans to pull out my phone, it rang. Looking at the display, I smiled at the sight of Tessa’s name and picture there. I’d snapped the photo the night we went roller skating because she’d looked so beautiful; I couldn’t resist.

With any luck, Tessa was reaching out in hopes of spending time together this weekend, too. I swiped my thumb across the screen, eager to find out. “I was just about to call you,” I said.

“Ace.”

My entire body locked.

I’d always liked the sound of my name coming from Tessa’s lips, but I didn’t like the way it sounded now. Panicked. Distraught. Something was very, very wrong. My thoughts immediately went wild, believing her ex had decided to contact her again.

“Tessa? What’s wrong?”

“My… My car. It’s destroyed. I was just in an accident.” Her breathing was fast and shallow, and I suspected her heart was pounding with her panic.

My legs began moving through the shop, instinct carrying me forward. “Are you okay? Were you hurt?”

“I wasn’t hurt. No physical injuries, but I’m freaking out.”

“Okay. It’s okay, Princess. As long as you weren’t hurt, that’s all that matters. Was anyone else hurt?”

“No. It was just my car that got damaged. I hit the guardrail.”

My brow furrowed. How the hell had that happened?

Recalling the sound of Tessa’s panicked voice, I realized I could worry about the details later. “Tell me where you are, and I’ll bring the flatbed.”

“I’m so sorry, Ace. You probably already left work.”

“I haven’t, but it wouldn’t matter if I had. I’d be there for you no matter what. Now, tell me where you are so I can help you.”

Tessa rattled off her location and confirmed she’d be okay for the next ten minutes until I got there. After I disconnected the call, I found Phoenix and said, “Hey, I’m taking the flatbed out. Tessa just called and said she got into an accident. The car is trashed, but she confirmed she’s okay. I’ll assess that personally once I’m there, and if she’s good, I’ll bring her back here with the car.”

“She’s okay, though?”

I jerked my chin down. “She said she was.”

Nodding, he said, “Alright. If you get there and it’s serious, please call me.”

“Will do.”

A moment later, I was out the door and on my way to Tessa. Despite her reassurances that she hadn’t been injured, I felt a bevy of emotions coursing through me. I didn’t think I was going to be able to truly relax until I saw her with my own eyes and could confirm she’d been unharmed.

By the time I arrived, I was shocked to see that the police were there. Even though Tessa had been out of sorts on the phone, there was nothing beyond that which indicated to me that she intended to call the police. I came to a stop, got out, and had managed to only take a handful of steps before Tessa’s body collided with mine.

My arms wrapped firmly around her and held on tightly. She was in tears, her body bucking with her sobs.

Something about her reaction felt far too extreme for a simple accident. Sure, it was scary enough, but with noinjuries to her and nobody else involved, something was off.

“It’s okay, Tessa. You’re alright.” One hand stroked up and down her back. “Tell me what happened, Princess.”

It took her a few more minutes to calm herself down, and when she did, I loosened my hold on her. “I never saw him.”

“What?”