AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Excuse me,” Calista says and walks out of the room, closing a door a second later.
Alice doesn’t stop, like she’s expecting something to change, but the only pictures of Aubrey and Declan are them with us at a dance and when we went on a trip years ago. “Okay, we need to go ask Pete about this.” Jean stops Alice, thank goodness.
My stomach sours and I feel queasy from watching all these reminders of my time with Calista. I’m about to go and get Calista when she comes out of what I think is the bathroom, her eyes slightly red.
“We’re going to the retirement center to talk to Pete,” Jean says.
“I’ll go with you.” Calista grabs her purse and keys from the counter. “There’s been a mix-up and I’d like to get my hands on the ones he has of Declan and Aubrey. I appreciate all the help so far, but I can take it over.”
Like I said, I knew she wouldn’t leave it to these two.
I’m ready to say goodbye—but then guilt coats me. After my conversation with Declan last night, I should help. Plus, Calista’s probably done so much for this wedding already.
I clear my throat. “I’ll join you.”
“Not necessary.” Calista raises her hand.
“More the merrier. Come on, I’ll take you all in the shuttle.” Alice and Jean walk out the front door.
I glance at Calista, who has her eyes narrowed on me.
“I’m going.” My tone brooks no argument.
She huffs and stares at me some more.
“You either ride with them in the shuttle or hitch a ride with me.”
She narrows her eyes. “I’m not sure which is worse. Doesn’t matter. I have my own car.”
After I squeeze my eyes shut for a minute, I work up the courage to say, “Don’t you think we should talk?”
I’d planned for her to be one of my first stops when I got into town, though I’d gotten sidetracked by the text from Declan last night and the mysterious note. I don’t want a repeat of what happened last Christmas, and we have no choice but to be around one another for the next three weeks. Might as well get all our shit out on the table.
“Come on, you two.” Jean peeks her head in. “Pete takes his nap every day at eleven thirty. If we miss him, then you’ll be hard pressed to get a coherent Pete until tomorrow. He’s always a little funny after his nap.” She taps her temple.
“Fine,” Calista says, sounding like a petulant child, “but I’m driving. You can ride with me.”
A sharp chuckle leaves my lips. “Whatever makes you happy.”
Jean shrugs and turns around to make her way back to the van.
Calista heads to the door but stops short and turns toward me. “What does that mean?”
“Go. I didn’t mean anything by it. I just mean that I don’t care which one of us drives.”
She whips back around, the end of her ponytail hitting me in the chin. Damn it.
After we explain to Alice and Jean that we’re going to take Calista’s car, so they don’t have to come back out here, I file into her small SUV. She quickly tries to pick up all her crap— fast-food bags, empty coffee cups from Brewed Awakenings, even some clothes are strewn on the back seat.
“Did you get kicked out of your apartment?” I ask, glancing around the vehicle.
“No. I’m just on the road a lot. Some of us don’t get transported by private jets, you know?”
I shake my head. “I just meant this isn’t like you. You were always so clean and organized.”
She turns the ignition and slams on the gas, gravel spitting up and hitting my rental that’s parked beside her.
“Fuck, take it easy. I didn’t buy insurance.” I see all the nicks from the small rocks as we pass.
