Page 62 of All I Feel

“I’m alright, Phoenix.”

“What happened?”

Tessa looked at me, her eyes pleading. “Will you tell him the story? I want to go visit with Faye for a minute.”

I nodded. “Sure. I’ll come in once we get this unloaded and inside.”

“Thanks.”

Phoenix and I watched Tessa as she walked away. Onlyafter she’d walked inside did he speak. “She said she’s okay, but it doesn’t seem like it. What’s going on?”

“Someone ran her off the road.”

“What?!”

“I felt the same way, man.”

After letting out a deep sigh, I went on to tell him the story about what happened with Tessa just as she’d told it to me, adding in the specifics of the conversation I had with the officer on the scene. While I did that, Phoenix and I worked together on getting her car unloaded and into the shop.

When I finished sharing, Phoenix said, “Seems extreme, doesn’t it?”

“I thought the same thing. I’m hoping it was somebody who was just having a bad day, but with everything swirling with her ex, I feel a little uneasy.”

“But it wasn’t Hastings in the truck, was it?” he asked as we pushed the car the remaining distance inside the building. It would likely still start, but until we could fully assess the damage and be certain it was just cosmetic, there was no point in taking any chances.

“Tessa didn’t recognize the driver, nor could she even say the make and model of the truck. It doesn’t seem like it was him, but I think we’re both just being paranoid.”

Following a heavy silence, Phoenix asked, “Can I assume you’re going to be on top of this?”

“You don’t even need to ask. I’ll take care of both her and the car.”

“If anything pops up, you’ll let me know.”

“I will.”

At that, Phoenix shut down the garage door while I opened the unimpacted side of Tessa’s car. Her purse wasstill inside, along with her water bottle and phone. I grabbed those for her and followed behind Phoenix as he made his way toward the office.

Faye and Tessa were in the middle of a conversation, but once we entered, it stopped. Phoenix moved to his sister, kissed her on the cheek, and said, “I’m glad you’re okay. If you need anything, call me.”

She nodded. “I will.”

When her eyes came to mine, I held out her things. She took them from me, and I asked, “Are you all set to go? I’ll take you home.”

“Yeah. I’m ready.” Tessa returned her attention to Faye. “It was good to see you.”

“You, too. I’m sorry about the accident.”

“Thanks.”

After the four of us said goodbye to one another, I led Tessa outside to my truck. I’d barely gotten behind the wheel when she turned to me and asked, “Do you have plans for dinner?”

“Other than the plan to make sure I eat it, no.”

“Instead of dropping me off at home, would you like to stay and join me for dinner? I’d like to show you my appreciation for today.”

It seemed I was going to get what I’d been hoping for just before she’d called me today. We might only have tonight, but at least I’d have the opportunity to spend some time with Tessa.

“I thought I already told you that you don’t need to thank me.”