Page 76 of The Route to You

But we never talked about why I didn’t turn to her.

Sloan let out a slow sigh, then slipped her hand into Cheyenne’s. “I need to tell you something.” She tugged Cheyenne toward a nearby bench and sat.

Cheyenne gripped her purse on her lap, her fingers twitching as though she didn’t know what to do with her hands.

“I’ve never had a real friend,” Sloan said in a soft voice.

Cheyenne’s mouth opened in protest, and Sloan lifted her hand. “Wait, listen.”

A lump rose in her throat, and Sloan swallowed hard. “I know you were my friend. I know that. I’m not denying that you offered your friendship freely and you’ve been the best friend I’ve ever had.” She lowered her gaze, her eyes following a crack in the sidewalk. “But that’s not what I mean. I mean . . . it’s been a long time since I let anyone see me. The real me.”

“I know the real you,” Cheyenne said, pulling her sunglasses off. Her green eyes were red-rimmed and filling with tears. “You were my maid of honor, Sloan. You are my best friend.”

Sloan held Cheyenne’s gaze. “I know. And this isn’t on you. This is on me. I’m not sure I even know who I am anymore. I’ve spent so long playing pretend that it’s hard to peel back the layers and figure out what was me and what I forced myself to be to fit in a world that only ever wanted to spit me out.”

“Honey, that’s not true. You’re kind. And you’re brilliant. And artistic. And⁠—”

Smiling gently, Sloan squeezed her hand. “The thing is, I want to be your friend. I want you to be my friend, but I’m just not very good at letting people in. And I’m even better at pushing people away.”

“Then don’t move.” A tear rolled down Cheyenne’s cheek. She sniffled. “Come back to Bozeman. Or stay here in the Bay Area. Your sister and dad are here, at least. I know Nashville seems like a bright and shiny new start, which makes it a great idea after a breakup. But . . . I think you’re just running. A-and I’m going to miss you so much, Sloan.”

“You’re not going to miss me,” Sloan said, leaning forward. She tilted her head against Cheyenne’s. “Because I promise that from here on out, you’re actually going to get to know me. The real me. And the last time I knew who I was . . . was in Nashville. So, I think it’s a good place to start.”

A soft sob escaped Cheyenne’s lips, her shoulders shaking, and for a moment, the twang of uncertainty pulsed through Sloan’s heart.

Am I running?

“Then you’re not moving because you’re hoping to bump into Kyle?”

Sloan looked away. Penny had said the same thing, too. And even if it wasn’t the reason she was moving, a part of her did hope that she’d see him again. That part of her that had awakened when she’d run into him in Vail and finally let herself remember him. “No, I think he’s made it clear he doesn’t want to talk to me. I’m moving for me. Because I need to find my way back to myself.”

“Okay,” Cheyenne said, sniffling hard. She reached into her purse and tugged out a tissue, then wiped her nose. “All right. Then I have something for you. The truth is, I was going to give it to you anyway, but I figured I’d try one last-ditch effort to get you not to leave.” She gave Sloan a tearful smile. “Can’t blame a girl for trying, right?”

Sloan frowned as Cheyenne dug through her purse again. This time, she produced an envelope. “My parents and I . . .” She drew a deep breath, settling herself. “As you know, my parents and I feel horrible about what happened with Kyle. So . . . Dad hired a PI to find him.” She held out the envelope.

Sloan froze, staring at the envelope. Her heart kicked against her ribs, her mind flashing back to the last time she’d been handed an envelope on the eve of something important.

“Well, take it,” Cheyenne said softly. “It’s all there. His parents’ address. Family phone numbers.” Then Cheyenne’s face darkened, and she hesitated for a beat. “But there’s something else.”

Oh God. This is the part where I find out that Kyle’s got a girlfriend. Or worse. He’s secretly married with four kids.

“What is it?” Sloan managed. Breathing was growing more difficult.

Cheyenne reached over and gripped Sloan’s hand. “The thing is, there’s a reason Kyle hasn’t been calling you.”

Sloan closed her eyes, waiting for the words to come.

“Kyle was in an awful accident several months ago, in Cabo.”

Sloan’s eyes flew open, the world around her screeching to a halt as Cheyenne continued, “He’s alive. But he was airlifted to the hospital. I think he was pretty badly injured, Sloan.”

20

KYLE

“How’s my favorite patient?” Wanda asked as she breezed into the room.

Kyle grinned, stretching his legs out in front of him. Then, just to be cocky, he set both hands behind his head. The movement almost wasn’t worth it—the pressure in his shoulder was sharp enough to nearly steal his breath.