Fall With Me (Sugarland Creek, #3) (77)

Who knows how much Angela's manipulated her at this point or what she'll tell her when she's back in her life? Ellie hated me based on whatever Angela told her and never asked to hear my side of the story, so there's no way she’ll want it now when she realizes how close I allowed her to get to me.

“What about her career? Everyone's gonna know she's connected to a murderer…and if she supports Angela?” Waylon shrugs. “Her career's already on the line, this could break it.”

“This could break everything.” I close my eyes and rub my temples.

When the news broke about Talia's death and Angela's connection to it, her family got a lot of heat from the community. They weren't painted in a positive light since they stood by Angela, and if I remember correctly, her parents lost their jobs and ended up divorced.

When my head stops spinning, I stand and pull in my chair.

“Where're you going?” Waylon asks.

“I need to talk to Noah before I decide what to do.”

I'm not the only one this affects. Noah and her have been friends for four years and if Ellie believes I'm the reason Angela went to prison, the ripple effect wouldn't stop at just me. It’d tarnish their working relationship, too.





“Breathe, Landen.” Noah smacks my cheek when I don't exhale.

I blink a few times until my eyes focus on her standing in front of me.

“They're cousins…” I repeat for probably the tenth time.

“Yes, I heard you the first dozen times. Stop freakin' out or I'm gonna have to slap you.”

I press a palm to my sore cheek. “You already did.”

She lifts one shoulder. “Harder next time.”

“Are you gonna tell me what to do or just assault me?”

“I'm thinking…” She paces up and down the aisle between the stalls of the stables. “Have you called her?”

“Not yet. She had plans with her parents tonight and we usually FaceTime before bed, but we made dinner plans tomorrow night instead.”

“Okay, so assuming she has no idea about that article, you're gonna have to tell her. Let her read it and see if it sparks anything. If it doesn't, encourage her to ask her parents.”

“And what if her parents take Angela's side?”

“They don't strike me as the type or they never woulda let y'all date or be fake engaged in the first place. Plus, they let her train here for four years. So either they didn’t know the level of hate she had for you or they didn’t agree with it.”

“But she could remember hating me.”

“Yes. She could…” She nods. “And you've been mentally preparing for that to happen this whole time and—”

“I can't let her go.”

“No. You fight like hell for her, Landen. Whatever story Angela told her can be argued by the truth and if she's fallin’ for you as hard as you're obsessed with her, she'll probably give you a chance to share your side of the story at least.”

But what if she doesn't?

Nodding along, I wipe my sweaty palms down my jeans.

“Maybe I should wait until we can talk in person tomorrow night.”

“As long as you understand she still might not remember, or on the flip side, not wanna hear your side if she does.”

“God. How'd this get so fuckin' complicated?”

“You pursued a girl who forgot she hated you…”

“Thank you, Captain Obvious. Now give me some useful advice or—”

Noah's phone going off with a text interrupt my thoughts.

When she pulls it out of her pocket, she snaps her gaze to me. “It just got a lot more complicated.”

“Whaddya mean?”

“It's Mrs. Donovan. Ellie's in the hospital. She fainted.”





Chapter Twenty-Seven


ELLIE




“Hey, cousin. Glad to have you back.” Angela smiles as my eyes peel open, and I realize I'm in a hospital room. Again.

But at least I'm not bleeding or have a headache.

“How'd I get here?”

“Your mom called an ambulance because she was worried you were having another epileptic episode.”

“Did I?”

“Nah, you just fainted. Your dad caught you before you could hit your head again.”

“Where’re my parents?”

“They're speakin' to the doctor now. Something about tests…” She waves her hand in the air. “You're gonna be fine though.”

“I can't believe you're really here,” I murmur, scanning my eyes over her. Seeing her in regular clothes and makeup for the first time in over a decade is strange.

“Before you collapsed, it seemed like you had some memories resurface. How much do you remember?” She grabs my hand and squeezes.

“I think…right before the race when the Smith twins gave me something to drink. And some pills.”

“You took pills? Why would you do that?”

“They said it was something to help my stomach…I dunno. It seemed harmless.”

“Are they barrel racers, too?”