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I loosen my hold just enough for his head to swivel toward Lise. “I’m sorry.”
“You accept…” I nudge back enough to get a look at his nametag. “You accept Tylon’s apology, Lise?” What kind of name isTylonanyhow?
Her eyes are wide, her hand clapped over her mouth. Her expression isn’t what I expect, though I can’t put my finger on what’s off. But she does nod, so I decide I’ve had all the fun I can have at this place. Suffice it to say, I will not be back for any of Jake’s signature sauce. Shame, too, because it was awesome.
I get back in his face. “Now. What towing company should we call?”
He sputters a name, so I let the dirtbag go, inwardly relishing the way he stumbles to regain his footing. “Tell Jake I’ll be back to talk to him later.” The owner, presumably some guy named Jake, should know about his bartender’s total failure at customer service.
I take Annalise’s hand and lead her from the establishment, glad she doesn’t withdraw. I hope I’ve garnered a little of her trust.
The thought smacks of selfishness. Annalise is the one who got walked on. The insolent creep treated her like dirt. What? Because she went home with me last night? That made her fair game and undeserving of the most basic dignity?
None of the jerk’s contempt was reserved for me, even though it takes two to tango and all that. There’s something patently unfair in it all.
Worse, I have the sneaking, sinking feeling I’ve been that guy myself, at least in my head. If she weren’t the little sister of my partner, what would be my true thoughts toward Annalise?
I ignore the answer rattling through my brain, open the passenger door, and wait for her to climb in. As I settle behind the wheel, she gazes out the window toward the ocean in the distance.
“Hey, don’t let that creep get to you, Lise.”
She nods, but that’s all.
I pull out my phone, open my maps app, find the towing company, and drive that way. The more I think, the more I realize how very strange the encounter was. We live in modern times and we’re in a freewheeling beach community, for crying out loud. The bartender’s response was completely over the top. Why?
I pull into the tow yard, parking in front of a trailer with cement steps and a lot full of vehicles behind a fence. I suppose Annalise can handle this on her own, but I open my door and step down anyway.
My phone rings and I check the screen. Tripp.
Purse in hand, she jogs up the steps while I stay outside and brace to take the call. “Dude.” I strive for a normal demeanor, one that doesn’t screamhey, man, I picked up your sister at a bar last night.
“Have you seen Annalise?” Tripp barrels ahead without preamble.
“Uh…I’m…Annalise?” This is not a question he’s had occasion to ask me before. I’m as convinced as ever the guy has superpowers.
“Yes, Annalise. My sister? Come on, man!”
“Oh, right. But, uh, we’ve never…I mean, you’ve never, uh…introduced us, you know.”
“Well I’m dang sure you would know her if she showed up at the house. So is she there? Has she been home?”
I draw my hand across the back of my neck where a cold sweat has broken out. Aside from my own health at stake, I’m convinced that Annalise would not appreciate comment from me on her present status. Talk about moral dilemmas.
While I’m still formulating a response, Tripp, not known for patience, plows ahead. “I can’t find her, man. Dad called,from Italy, said he got a message from some friend, something about her car being abandoned, and she’s not answering calls. She’s not even supposed to be in Galveston!”
I can practically see him raking his hand through his hair, Avery standing close, rubbing circles on his back and reminding him to breathe. Truth be told, I’m a touch envious of what my life-on-the-edge former partner has found in sweet, innocent, too-good-for-him Avery.
“I…uh…sorry to hear that, man. Just…stay calm.”
At this moment, Annalise emerges from the trailer and I wave her over. Her big blue eyes round with surprise and confusion at my animated response.
“What’s up?” she asks as she comes close. Too close. I jam my finger to my lips.Shh.
“Calm? My sister’s missing, Gonz. I’m coming down there!”
Oh, man. I mouth her brother’s name, and her eyes practically explode from her head. Yeah, good thing I didn’t tell Tripp anything.
While he rants and raves and wrings his hands over the airwaves, I motion to my phone and make my best run at charades to express to Annalise that she needs to check her phone.Now.
