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“But you won’t because you know I’m speaking the truth,” she says with a smile.
Yeah, she’s right. About calling Eliot, not about being dense. At least, I don’t think I’m dense. But I need to talk to Eliot. Tessa is right about that. I pull out my cell phone and call the two people who would know where to find her.
“Hey, man,” Reed says when he answers. “Haven’t heard from you in a while. How are things going?”
“They’re going. I have two favors to ask.”
“Shoot.”
“I need to know where I can find Eliot. She said something about jumping off some cliff the kids jump off of in the summer.”
“Damn, that’s going to be a cold jump. I can tell you how to get there.”
“Great. Can you and Austen watch Tessa for a little while?”
“No,” Austen yells into the phone. “We’ll keep her for the night. We can binge on pizza, movies, and smores. It’ll be a slumber party.”
“You heard the woman,” Reed adds. “Bring her on over. What does she eat on her pizza?” I tell him what pizza to order, and he shares how to get to the cliff at the river. Now I just have to get Tessa to agree to stay with Reed and Austen.
“Hey, Tessa,” I call after hanging up.
“Yeah?” she asks, walking out of the bedroom.
“How would you like to go to a slumber party at Miss Caraway’s house? The librarian.”
“Oh my gosh, really?”
She’s a lot more excited than I thought she would be.
“Do I really get to hang out with her and her totally lush boy toy?”
“Not if you’re going to call him that.”
“Oh, Uncle Owen, it’s fine. I’ll go pack.”
I run my hand down my face as she disappears back into the bedroom. If this is only twelve, how am I supposed to survive the teenage years?
I move to the small laundry area and change into jeans and a long-sleeve T-shirt. It’s easier if I just leave my clothes folded on the dryer. Getting a turn in the bathroom has become next to impossible. I’ve got to find somewhere bigger.
When Tessa finally returns to the living room, she’s dragging one of my duffels with her. It’s only slightly smaller than a steamer trunk. I only use it if I plan on being gone for a week or more.
“Tessa, it’s just one night,” I remind her.
“You don’t know. It could be extended.”
“Fine. Let’s go.” I do know from living with Tessa in the past that you have to pick your battles. Her mother was the same way. If she wants to take half her room with her, that’s Austen’s problem now. I grab up the deceptively heavy duffle and follow her out. “What are there bricks in this thing?”
She ignores me. It only takes a few minutes to pull up outside Reed’s house. Tessa jumps out and flies up the steps to hug Austen. I get out of the car and pull her bag from the trunk.
“I’ll get that,” Reed says, walking to the cruiser. “Looks like I’ll be hiding at The Cougar Den tonight. Brontë and the baby are on the way over.”
“Sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry. Rand and I get a night of freedom.” He laughs. “There is something I want to say before you leave though.” He grows serious. “Be careful with Eliot. I know she comes across as a badass, but she can still be hurt. This family has relied on her to be the voice of reason for way too long, regardless of how it affects her. It would be nice to see her finally find what makes her happy.”
“I have no intention of hurting her. My plan is to beg until she takes me back. I’m just hoping I’m not too late.”
Reed smiles and slaps me on the back. He takes the bag from my hands. Without another word, he walks back inside his house.
