Finding Focus (12 page)

It all sounds horrible, and I want to know the details, but before I can ask another question, Mr. Harrison cuts me off.

“Sheridan, I have to go. I’ll be in touch.”

Looking down at my phone, I realize he already hung up.

I can’t even begin to understand what’s happening with my life right now, but I know I have to be there for him. He would be there for me . . . I think.

I swipe my thumb across the screen of my phone, bringing it back to life, and make the first of several calls.

“Piper Grey.”

“Hey, Pipe. It’s me.”

“Well, that tone doesn’t sound good. What’s going on?”

“I just got a call from Graham’s dad. Apparently, Graham had an accident while on vacation and has some broken bones. He’s flying home tomorrow, which means I have to go home and take care of him.” I don’t tamper my annoyance. Piper loves me unconditionally, even when I’m being a selfish bitch.

“Wait. Explain to me why you have to go back to New York?”

“I just did, Piper. Graham’s badly hurt and he needs me.”

“No. He needs a
nurse.
You’re doing a job, remember?
He’s
the one who went on vacation by himself. Why do
you
have to be the one to sacrifice and take care of his ass?”

My annoyance turns to my best friend. She’s pushing my buttons, and she knows it.

“Don’t make me feel worse than I already do. I have enough pictures and information to finish my article, and I don’t appreciate you questioning my professionalism. As for why I’m the one to sacrifice and take care of him, it’s because I’m his fucking girlfriend. That’s what girlfriends do.”

“Whoa. Defensive much, Dani?” I imagine her holding her hand up, like she’s motioning for me to stop. “I don’t doubt your professionalism, but as the person who helped you get hired, I have to ask. Also, as your best friend, I want to make sure you’re not being taken advantage of.”

I know this. I
know
Piper is only looking out for me, but I’m feeling so torn right now—torn between what I
should
do and what I
want
to do.

If I’m being completely honest, I don’t want to leave. I’m really enjoying being here alone, working hard, and making my own schedule. Of course, I’m not really alone. The people I’ve met in French Settlement make me feel more at home than I have in a long time.

My mind flashes to Micah, but I can’t allow myself to dwell on him. He seems just fine with his girl-of-the-moment club and I have Graham.

Maybe this will be the kick in the pants our relationship needs. Maybe this will be what breaks us for good. I owe it to him to find out either way, which means I should start packing my bags.

Micah

PULLING INTO THE GRAVEL DRIVE
of the motel feels kinda weird. The only times I ever come here are to see Val, so being here to see Dani definitely makes me think about my life choices. I’m not particularly proud of my track record, but I can’t be ashamed of it either. It is what it is. I’ve just never felt the need to be tied to one girl, and while Val is the girl I’ve been with the most, I wouldn’t be able to stand her on a regular basis. Come to think of it, there haven’t been any women I’ve felt the need to see more than a few times. I’ve just never clicked with anyone on more than a superficial level and I never really thought about it until now.

Dani, on the other hand, I feel like I could be around her every day and never get tired of her. She’s fun to talk to, and I love the way she laughs. I haven’t found one thing about her that annoys me. I guess that’s why I’m sitting in this parking lot barely after sunrise.

I woke up early this morning with Dani on my mind, and I figured if I could catch her before she started her day, I might be able to steal her away for a few hours to show her something. Really, I just want to see her—hang out with her. We could go walk around the Piggly Wiggly for all I care. After our talk last night, I feel like she could use a friend, and after seeing her reaction to the pond, I know she’ll love where I want to take her today.

Jumping out of the truck, I grab the to-go cups of coffee I made before I left the house and shut the door behind me. Since my hands are full, I tap Dani’s motel room door with the tip of my boot, trying to be quiet. The last thing I need is for Val to hear me. I don’t need to deal with her crazy ass today.

After a few seconds go by and she hasn’t opened the door, I kick the door again, with a little more force. A muffled, “Just a minute,” comes from inside, so I take a step back, waiting.

When the door opens, I almost drop the cups of coffee in my hands. With the morning sun hitting her red hair, making it shine, she looks absolutely stunning. I wish I could steal that fancy camera of hers and turn it around on her. My eyes move over her, taking in every detail, and my throat drops to my stomach. Dani is completely ready for the day—sunglasses perched on her head and her suitcase right behind her.

“Micah,” she says breathlessly. The sound of her voice accompanied with my name goes straight to my dick.
Down boy.
I smirk, because yeah, she definitely affects me like that. It’s been a struggle to think of anything else for the past couple days, and I’ll be damned if I don’t want to reach out and touch her, or at least the strand of hair that’s fallen over her shoulder.

“Mornin’, Chuck.”

“What are you doing here?”

I hold up the two cups of coffee. “I remember you saying how bad the coffee is here, so I brought you some.”

The smile that breaks across her face is worth a million cups of coffee. At the very least, one a day for the rest of her life.

“Thank you.” She looks down at the coffee and cocks an eyebrow, silently questioning which cup is hers. I offer her one of the cups and her smile grows wider before she carefully brings it to her mouth and takes a cautious sip. Her eyes close and she inhales deeply.

“Thank you.”

No, Dani. Thank
you
. Seriously.

“You’re welcome.” I can’t fight the stupid smile on my face. “So, what’s with the suitcase? You finally get tired of this place and come to your senses?”

“Oh,” she says, like she forgot where she is or what she’s doing. “Yeah. No.” She shakes her head and her smile fades away. “I have to go back to New York. This is my last day,” she continues, disappointment in her voice. “I called your mom this morning to see if I can squeeze in the last of the shots I need for the article. I’m checking out of here this morning so I can leave for the airport straight from the plantation.” She eyes me warily. “I’m guessing you haven’t talked to your mom yet?”

“No.” She’s normally the first person I talk to in the morning, but today, I bypassed the big house and came straight here.

“So, you don’t know you have a photo shoot today at five o’clock?” She winces, scrunching her nose. It’s the cutest damn thing I’ve seen in a long time.

“Nope.” I shake my head slowly and soften my features into a blank expression. “Afraid that’s just not gonna work for me. I already have a photo shoot scheduled for today, so you’re gonna have to get with my people and . . .”

Her expression morphs from worried to amused. “Well, maybe I’ll see if your
people
mind rescheduling. Do you have an agent?”

We both laugh, each of us eyeing the other as if we have something more we’d like to say.

Please don’t go.

Stay.

I wish there was some way I could know what she’s thinking.

“Well, this sucks,” I tell her, feeling really bummed I’m not going to be able to take her to the river today. She’d love it there. I’m sure of it.

“Yeah,” she says, biting down on her bottom lip like people do when they’re trying not to cry. She looks just as bummed as I feel.

“Why do you have to leave early?” My question comes out soft and low, almost a whisper. I’m trying not to let her see how much her having to leave is bothering me.

“I got a call last night. Graham’s been in a bad accident. His dad needs me to come home and take care of him.”

“Oh, damn. I’m . . . sorry?” I say, though sorry comes out more like a question. I don’t know this Graham dude, but I don’t like him, and it’s not because he has something I might want. It’s more than that. I don’t like how he treats Dani. She’s good people, and she doesn’t deserve to be treated like she doesn’t matter. I’m not even sure she sees it, but from the few things she’s told me, I do.

“Yeah, I feel horrible. I’m . . . I’m going to fly back tonight. I guess he’ll be staying at my place for a while.”

“Well, that’s really nice of you.”

“He’d do the same for me,” she says, but I’m not sure I believe that. I’m not sure
she
believes that.

“Did he call you?” I ask, already knowing the answer but wanting her to really think about what she’s going home to.

“No.” She looks down at her coffee cup and slowly raises it to her lips, but she doesn’t drink. She just inhales. “His dad.”

“So you haven’t talked to him?”

“No.”

“Does he even know you’re here?”

“No.”

I nod, but I don’t say anything else. If I did, it’d be out of line.

We stand there for a few seconds before I take a deep breath and try to accept the fact that she’s leaving.

“Let me help you with your bags.”

“Thank you.” She steps aside and I take the handle of her suitcase while she grabs the bag on the bed that looks like it has her camera equipment in it.

“Got everything?”

She takes one last look over her shoulder and nods.

I put her bags in the trunk of her car and walk backwards toward my truck.

“So, I guess I’ll see you out at the house?”

“Yeah, I’ve gotta turn this key in and pay my bill before I head out there.”

I run my hand through my hair before I climb into my truck, feeling frustration and disappointment settle around me. I’m not ready for her to leave. A nervous knot sets up residence in the pit of my stomach when I think of never seeing Dani again. I know I’ve only known her for a few days, but I want to know her more and I’m not sure how I can do that with her all the way up in New York. There’s something special about her, and I can’t let her slip through my fingers. I know she has a boyfriend and all, but I’m willing to be whatever she needs me to be.

When my phone rings, I reach over for it and answer. “Hey, Mama.”

“Hey, baby. Where’d you take off to so early this mornin’?”

“Town. I needed to, uh . . .” Dani walks out of the motel office, distracting me for a moment. I watch as her forehead wrinkles and her nose scrunches. She’s probably wondering why I’m still sitting in the parking lot. When I shrug, she gets in her car and I motion for her to go ahead of me.

“Micah,” my mom says into the phone.

“Oh, sorry.”

“Did you hear what I was tellin’ you?”

“No, ma’am. Sorry.”

She lets out a frustrated breath but chuckles to herself, muttering something about nobody ever listening to her. “Be at the house at five. Dani needs some pictures of the family to finish up her article. She has to go back to New York this evening. Something came up.”

Now, I’m the one muttering under my breath, but it’s more colorful. “Yes, ma’am. I’ll be there. Actually, I . . . uh, don’t have much to do today, so I’ll probably be around most of the day.”

“Uh huh. This wouldn’t have anything to do with a certain someone leaving early for New York, would it?”

“No, I finished up the paperwork I needed to yesterday, and we don’t have any deliveries coming in today. Joe can handle the prep work.” I try to sound indifferent, like I already planned to take the day off, but I know she can see right through my bullshit.

“Whatever makes you sleep better at night.”

“Hush.”

“See ya in a few,” she says, laughing as she hangs up the phone.

I roll my eyes, but I know she’s right. I have plenty I could be doing today, but none of it feels as important as spending time with Dani before she leaves.

Dani’s rental car pulls up in front of the house, but I continue driving down the gravel road to my house, deciding to give her some space to work.

I walk around to the back of the house, spotting the dogs lazing under the big shade tree where one end of the hammock is attached. They barely open their eyes when they see me coming. Jose rolls over onto his back, offering up his stomach for a rub down. I oblige and then climb into the hammock. Johnny tries to climb up with me, but I stop him before he knocks me out on my ass. When they settle down on either side of me, the three of us sit in silence while I listen to the breeze rustling the leaves overhead and let my mind wander to the redhead whose face has taken up permanent residence.