Part 15 (1/2)
She narrows her gaze at me. ”Do you want me to come with you?”
”I don't want to have to face the Wrath of Nic Rayne right now.”
”He's really not that bad.”
”When's the last time you went somewhere without Nic?”
She responds right away. ”When I came to pick you up from rehab.”
”And before that?” I probe.
She scrunches up her little pixie nose as she thinks about it. ”I don't remember.”
”My point exactly. I just need some time alone. Okay?”
Raising an eyebrow she says, ”You'll call me if you need me?”
”Of course.”
I stand outside the small meeting hall trying to will myself to go inside. My mind knows that I need to go to a meeting. It's the most healthy and rational thing to do. But when has any decision I've ever made been rational or healthy? I decided to have s.e.x with Leo and he's fallen for me harder than I ever thought he would. It doesn't get any less healthy than that.
On the opposite side of the street and down a block I can see a trendy bar. Even for a weeknight the place is packed. It's the kind of place I frequented when I was drinking. The kind of place where I could easily pick up a young businessman in town for a conference or meeting for a quick fling. A guy who wasn't wearing a wedding ring, but I still knew he was married because I could see the faint outline of the band on his finger. Those were the guys I always knew were one-and-done. They wanted a little extra on the side while they were out of town, but still wanted to be with their wives when they got back home. It was a win-win for both of us.
And businessmen always come with an added bonus: a hotel room.
A businessman like that might be exactly what I need to get Leo out of my system and out of my life once and for all. I doubt he'll still want to be with me after I screw someone else tonight instead of him.
So I turn my back on the AA meeting and head down to the trendy bar instead.
Eight.
Leo ”You gave her your car?” I practically yell at Harper then immediately regret it. I've been on edge since Brooke walked out on me and now I'm taking it out on Rayne's girl, not the smartest idea if I value my life.
”I didn't give her my car,” Harper states calmly. ”I loaned it to her.”
”What is that?” I stare down at the disgusting looking mixture cooking in a large pot on the stove.
”It's bean stew.”
”It looks like someone has already eaten it once...”
When she glares at me I realize I've spoken without thinking again. The guys don't mind when I give them s.h.i.+t, but this is Harper. She's from a different world.
”Do you have any idea where Brooke went?” I try not to sound as desperate as I feel.
”She told me she was going to find an AA meeting.”
”And you believed her?”
Awareness seems to cross Harper's face when she realizes Brooke may not have been truthful.
”I need to find her,” I declare. ”I don't want her to get in trouble again.”
”Find who?” Rayne asks as he strolls into the kitchen. He glances down at the pot of bean stew. ”That looks good, Shakes.” He gives Harper a peck on the forehead.
”It does?” I mutter.
I get an icy glare from Rayne in return.
”I guess love really does make you blind,” I add.
Rayne crosses his arms over his chest. ”Who are you looking for?”
”I loaned Brooke my car,” Harper says. ”She told me she wanted to go to an AA meeting...”
”And you believed her?” Rayne asks.
”Why is that so hard to believe?” Harper sounds a bit fl.u.s.tered.
”Because it's Brooke,” Rayne replies.
”Leo is worried about her,” Harper says. ”And so am I.”
”There's a tracking device on the car,” Rayne states matter-of-factly.
Harper's eyes widen in response. ”A what?”
Placing a hand on Harper's shoulder he explains, ”I have tracking devices on all of our cars. Just in case. It's a safety precaution.”
”Let's see where she's at,” I suggest.
Harper and I follow Rayne into his ma.s.sive library. I've never made it through a book in my life and Rayne's read over ten thousand of them. Even though I was raised with the guy Rayne is definitely on another planet when it comes to books. Reading is something he and Harper have in common, but it's not on my list of hobbies.
He flips on his computer monitor and takes a seat at his desk. Harper and I stand on either side of him so we can see the screen.
After typing for several seconds he pulls up a map and shows us where the car is currently located. ”She's parked downtown. There are quite a few clubs and bars in the vicinity. It would help if a few of us searched for her. We could each take a handful of places.”
”Okay,” Harper agrees.
”What about Xander and Raven?” Rayne asks.
I shrug. ”You'll have to ask.”
Rayne frowns.