Page 68 of Echoes in the Storm
“Break her heart, more like,” Clara mumbles.
I shove the door open, stepping out into the overcast day before turning and popping my head down to Clara’s level. “If she let herself get that attached while knowing I was leaving, then Cam’s gone and broken her own heart.”
It’s a low blow, but there it is—the truth, laid out bare.
I shut the door and storm off toward the workshop, pissed not only at her mother for trying to emotionally blackmail me into changing my whole fucking life for a woman that I met less than a week ago, but also at myself for wanting to.
If there are two things I can’t deny about Cam, it’s that women like her aren’t a dime a dozen, and the fact that she makes my heart race, my chest tight whenever she’s near … I feel something more than a passing interest.
“Duke,” Archie calls as I enter the work bay. “Good to see you.”
Although I get the impression it’s not because he likes me, more as if he’s glad it means he gets rid of the HQandme.
“Did it behave on the test drive?” I walk around the vehicle, impressed he’s gone so far as to give it a quick wash.
“Like a dream.” He steps over to a pegboard and removes the keys. “Came in on budget, more or less. Extra thirty-five over, but I’ll let it pass.”
“Nah, mate. I’ll square you up.” I take the offered keys.
“I owe Cammie for all the things she buys the kids when she babysits, anyway.” He drills his gaze into mine. “Besides, I’m sure you’re eager to get on your way.” I get the clear message this conversation is about more than just a car and a mechanical bill. Seems like everyone in this town has my number.
“Thanks, I guess.”
He nods, folding his arms over his chest. “Looks like you’ve got no reason to stick around anymore; time to go home.”
“Apparently.” I move the keys between my hands, unsure if the guy plans to take me down or simply let me go with a few underhanded comments.
“Heard what you did to Jared.”
Fuck it.“That so?” I tuck my bottom lip up and frown. “News travels fast, then.”
“Small town,mate.” He grimaces on the last word. “Better make sure you don’t come across her cousin again on your way out.”
Nope—totally not feeling ganged up onI open the door to the HQ, stepping a leg inside as I brace myself with a hand on the roof. “We all done here, then?”
Archie nods, stepping back. “Safe travels, Duke.”
I drop into the seat and close the door on his bullshit, starting the V8 with a roar. He watches me go, unmoving in my rear-view as I pull out of the workshop and take to the road.
“Fuck it!” I slam the heel of my hand into the steering wheel.
How did I let things get so complicated? All I had to do was stay a few days in some stranger’s house and be done with it. Could have kept my dick to myself and thought things through with theusefulbrain in my head, but no, I had to go and jump in feet first.
I don’t know what’s worse—the fact I did this to Cam, or the look she’ll no doubt give me when I break the news that it’s time for me to go.Although the car in the driveway should do a good job of that.
My thoughts play on repeat the whole drive back to her place, and yet, after fifteen minutes of the same loop, I’m no better off than I was when I left the workshop.
Taking a seat in the sun on the front porch, I pull my phone out and dial Cody. He’ll be glad that the car’s fixed. At least I can keeponeperson happy. Shit.
“Hey, bro,” he greets as he picks up the call.
“Slow day at work then, if you’re answering your phone. Thought I’d have to leave you a voicemail.”
“Boss is away,” he says with nothing short of mischief in his voice. “IT took the blocks off the net, too, so we’re all fucking around.”
The work ethic of this one … honestly. “Car’s running.”
“Sweet. I’ll start paying you back next month.”