Page 73 of Quarter Miles (Runaway 3)

“Area code four-oh-six.”

“It’s Cash.”

“Should I answer it?”

“Definitely not.” He’d been calling me relentlessly and sending texts. My phone rested on the seat, tucked beneath my knee. I’d felt it vibrating and held tighter to the wheel every time, resisting any temptation to answer.

“He really didn’t say anything when you said you loved him?” Aria asked.

“Nothing.” To be fair, I hadn’t really given him the chance.

He’d looked so shocked, like a deer in the headlights. Of all the things he’d said to me in that hotel room, his silence had by far hurt the worse.

“I hate him,” I whispered. I love him. Even furious, my heart belonged to him.

“I’m sorry about your mom,” Aria said.

“Me too.”

I’d been wrestling with feelings for my mother for years. I was sorry that she’d died. I was sorry that she’d lived a life without much joy. But I didn’t forgive her and I doubted I ever would. She’d hurt me too deeply, and even if I’d had the chance to see her again, even if she’d apologized, I wouldn’t have wanted a relationship with her.

Did I blame Cash for her death? No. She’d given me up long, long ago. A visit to Montana wasn’t enough to compensate for her actions. And I knew, bone deep, that Cash had only done what he’d thought was best.

Bone deep, I’d already forgiven him for always looking out for my own good.

My phone rang again, vibrating against my jeans. Temptation got the better of me and I slid it free, surprised to see Liddy’s name on the screen.

“Who is it?” Aria asked.

“Cash’s mom.”

It rang in my hand as I alternated my gaze from the phone to the road.

“Are you going to answer?”

“He probably called her.” That or she was finally returning my call. Any other person, I would have ignored it. But this was Liddy, the woman I loved more than my own mother, so I answered. “Hi.”

“We love you,” she said.

I blinked. “Huh?”

“We love you,” she repeated. “No matter what happens with you and Cash, we all love you. He wants me to find out where you are. He’s desperate, Kat. But I’m going to hang up before you can even tell me. Do what you need to do for you. And we’ll be here whenever you’re ready to come home.”

I opened my mouth to speak, but Liddy had already hung up.

Just like that, she’d made me a promise. She’d erased all of my fears. No matter where I lived, no matter where I worked, she loved me. They all did.

Even Cash, in his own way.

God, this hurt. The ache in my heart twisted so hard it stole my breath and a little sob escaped my lips.

“Oh, Katherine.” Aria placed her hand on my shoulder.

“I’m okay.” My eyes flooded and I swiped at them, catching the tears before they could fall.

I’m okay.

This was just another bump in the road. Another unexpected turn. I’d deal with it like all the bumps that had come before. On my own.