Page 33 of Flashback for the Forward

Not wanting to dig myself a hole so deep I’d never work my way out of it, I said, “A used one is just fine.”

There was a split second when it looked as though he was going to argue, but he must’ve thought better of it because he replied with an “All right.” He placed the credit card back into his wallet. “I’d prefer you have one today since the Surf is headed out of town tomorrow.” My lungs seized at that information. “So, I’ll need to run out later. Will you be okay here alone?”

No, but what other choice did I have? I sure as shit couldn’t go to the cell phone store with him, not when Aiden had access to CCTV footage within the city limits and was undoubtedly searching for me. If he hadn’t shown up at Cole’s house by now, odds were that he didn’t know I was here, making this the safest place for me in all of San Diego.

Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I should have fled his jurisdiction when I had the chance.

I only prayed that wouldn’t prove to be a fatal mistake.

Chapter 10

Bridget

Cole had left for the airport about an hour ago, and as soon as the door shut behind him, I realized that if I didn’t keep busy, I was going to have a panic attack over staying in this house alone overnight.

“He’ll be back tomorrow,” I reminded myself as I glided a duster over every already pristine surface in the house.

Deciding that maybe some music would help mellow me out, I pulled up the ad-free app Cole had downloaded on my new-to-me smartphone. Turning up the volume as high as it would go, I sang along to classic rock hits while I worked.

I’d moved into a bathroom, using a hairbrush as a microphone when the song abruptly cut off.

My heart jumped into my throat, and I spun around, half-expecting to find Aiden standing mere feet away, having been the one who pressed pause on the track. Thankfully, the only other person in sight was my reflection in the mirror, and my knees buckled in relief.

Instead of playing music, the mobile device was buzzing against the marble countertop.

Cautiously, I moved close enough to see that the disruption to my mini dance party was due to an incoming call.

But the name on the Caller ID was unfamiliar—Arizona.

Since this had been someone else’s phone before it became mine, I assumed the number had been recycled as well and that the caller was attempting to reach the previous owner.

Still, that didn’t keep my hand from shaking as I slid my finger across the screen to answer. “Hello? I think you have—”

A cheery voice cut me off, “Hi! Is this Bridget?”

“Uh, yeah. Who is this?”

“Arizona Cleary,” she replied. “I’m married to one of Cole’s teammates. The one who stopped by yesterday. I hope it’s okay that he gave me your number.”

I leaned against the sink. “I guess so.” Honestly, I wished he’d asked me first. The fewer people who knew my location, the better.

“So . . . this is a little awkward, but I’m standing outside your front door. Figured I’d give you a call and introduce myself first, rather than ring the doorbell, so as not to scare you.”

Clearly, Cole had shared more with the woman than just my phone number—something we would need to have a serious talk about when he returned.

I glanced down at my bare thighs peeking out from beneath the hem of one of Cole’s shirts. “Um, I’m not really dressed for company.”

“Actually, that’s why I’m here.” I could hear the smile in Arizona’s voice.

“It is?” Confusion leaked into my tone.

“I can just leave the bags on the porch if you’d like.”

That offer tipped the scales. She might be a stranger, but she was making a concerted effort to put me at ease.

And truth be told, I could really use a friend.

“Give me a sec, and I’ll be right down.” I ended the call, making my way down the stairs.