Page 22 of Ready, Willing and Abel

I yawn, and it makes him laugh.

“Sleep, beautiful. I’ll be here when you wake up.”

Except he isn’t there when I wake up. The bed is cold next to me. My stomach knots and my heart feels like it folds in on itself.

But I refuse to think the worst.

At least not yet.

I take a quick shower, then get dressed for the day. When I reach my kitchen, I smile at the mason jar of daisies sitting on my little table.

There’s a note stuck to the fridge using a magnet from Bolts Hardware Store.

E,

I had to go take care of something.

Do me a favor and stay off the internet today.

Talk soon.

A.

I flip the note over. That’s it. He was like a damned poet last night with his sweet and tender words, and today it’s stay off the internet?

ME: 9-1-1-!

ME: My house. Now.

MIA: Already on my way.

ME: Already?

MIA: Just figured you might need me this morning.

Shit. That doesn’t sound good.

chapter

eleven

Abel

“Just bring her to wherever you and the guys are. The wives and girlfriends will all be there too, yeah?” I ask.

“Yes,” my brother says into the phone. “I’ll take care of it. Are you okay?”

“No. I’m fucking furious. And I’m on a goddamn plane to California. The opposite direction from where I want to be.” I pinch the bridge of my nose. “If she sees everything people are saying. Fuck, Evan.”

“It’s okay. Cactus Girl is known for being a badass around here. She’s tough. And I won’t let her believe the worst of you. Promise.”

“Thanks.”

“So, does this mean you’re moving to Saddle Creek now?”

“Well, if Esme will have me. I mean, there are logistics I’ll have to work out. With my house in Malibu, I’ll probably sell that.”

“Maybe you can focus on those screenplays now,” my brother says. “Just know that even if people think you’re crazy for walking away from being an A-list actor, if you don’t want to be doing that, then walk away. Do what you want, brother. Stop living for everyone else, trying to take care of everyone else. You’ve earned back all the money, three fold.”