Page 76 of Wild Highway (Runaway 2)

The cabin’s lights were on and a stream of smoke trailed from the chimney. I didn’t bother knocking at the door and let myself inside. “Gem?”

A drawer slammed in the bedroom before she emerged in the hallway. Her hair was up in a ponytail and her face was flushed. “So you just let yourself in?”

“So you just left without a word?”

“I didn’t realize we were speaking when other people were around.” She fisted her hands on her hips. “My bad.”

“I didn’t come here to fight.” I paused in the middle of unzipping my coat. “Do you want me to go?”

For a second, I thought she’d say yes. But then the angry look on her face softened and she pinched the bridge of her nose. “No.”

“Are you feeling all right? Mom said you were sick.”

“I’m fine,” she muttered and walked my way as I hung up my coat. “Want something to drink?”

“No, I’m good.”

She passed me on her way to the kitchen, not looking at me directly, so I slipped off my boots and followed, standing behind her as she took out a glass and filled it with some water from the tap.

“Hey.” I stepped into the space behind her, lifting the glass from her hand and setting it beside the sink. “There’s nothing with Liz.”

“I know. You’re friends.”

“Yes. We’re friends. I’ve known her a long time. But that’s where it ends. And after you left, I made sure she understood that.”

“It’s fine.” She waved it off and tried to move away, but I wrapped my arm around her shoulders and pulled her back

against my chest.

“What’s wrong?”

Gemma hung her head. “Nothing.”

“Try again.”

“I don’t fit here, Easton,” she whispered, and my heart cracked.

Maybe I’d seen this coming. Maybe I should have expected it sooner. But these past two weeks as Gemma had pulled away, I should have seen it as the beginning of a goodbye.

I let her go and took a step away.

She turned to face me. “I’m not what you need.”

I scoffed. “Spare me that, okay? You walk away from here, that’s your choice. But don’t play the martyr.”

“I’m not playing at anything. It’s the truth.”

“You made the decision for me. Why? Because Liz was at dinner?”

“It’s not about her.”

“Bullshit.”

She shot me a glare, then stormed out of the kitchen for the bedroom.

My temper spiked as she disappeared down the hallway and I marched after her.

“Why—” My question fell away as I reached the doorway. There was an open suitcase on the bed with most of Gemma’s clothes inside. “You’re leaving.”