Shoving away from the sink, I strode out of the bathroom, nearly colliding with Harry in the hallway. How long had she been standing there? What had she heard?
Probably too much judging by the scowl on her face.
I scowled right back. “What?”
“You’re in love with that girl.”
Yes. Yes, I was.
I’d loved Nellie since she’d dumped coffee in my pants on First Street. Maybe I’d loved her since Charlotte and she’d consoled me after a loss. Maybe I’d loved her since the day she’d let me kiss her at fourteen.
But could I admit it out loud? No. I’d shoved Nellie away because I’d had twenty years of perfecting that game. Of pushing her away so I wouldn’t get hurt.
“You’re not denying it,” Harry said.
I shrugged.
“What are you doing here when she just sped away like her tires were on fire?”
“Can we not talk about this?” I raked a hand through my hair and took a step forward, but before I could flee this hallway, Harry arched her eyebrows and silently dared me to walk away. “Come on. Let’s just go back to the party.”
“What are you afraid of?” she asked.
“I’ll ruin her.” The confession came freely.
Harry’s gaze softened. For a split second, I thought she’d let this go. Then her hand whipped through the air and connected with the side of my head.
“Hey.” I rubbed the spot where she’d smacked me. “What was that for?”
“You’re a coward.”
“And you’re not the first woman to call me that today.”
Her expression flattened. “My Jake was an ass, like you. But the man wasn’t a coward. I expected more from you, Cal. I thought you were the champion.”
“I’m not.” My shoulders sagged. “Football, yes. But not for Nellie.”
She rolled her eyes, then she spun around and marched away.
I followed, stopping when she took the wrong turn. “Where are you going?”
“Home.” She snapped her fingers. “And you’re my ride. Let’s go.”
“We haven’t eaten yet.”
“Maybe you haven’t.” She lifted a shoulder. “But my plate’s empty. I’m a fast eater.”
“I’m not leaving the party.” Hell, we hadn’t even been here for an hour yet.
“Keys are in that fancy rig of yours, right? I’ll just drive myself. You can hitchhike home.”
“Harry.” I planted my hands on my hips. “No.”
She narrowed her gaze. “I’m leaving, Cal. With or without you.”
For fuck’s sake. These damn women were exhausting. “Fine.”
“Meet you in the car.” She smiled, then strode down the entryway for the door.
She’d sit out there, roasting in the late-July heat, simply to spite me. If she were younger, I might let her sweat. But I wasn’t about to have an old lady die on my watch.
“Fuck.” I passed the living room, glancing at Constance asleep in her swing.
She was the cutest baby I’d ever seen, and it had been hard not to stare when Nellie had been holding her earlier. Watching them together had given me this twinge. A pinch I hadn’t felt since Elias was born and I’d gone to Denver for a visit.
The day I’d arrived, Nellie had been there too. She’d looked so beautiful that I’d told her she should look into Botox to do something about the wrinkles on her forehead.
That had pissed her off enough that she’d left.
What was wrong with me? Why was I such a damn mess? I could blame it on the shit role model that was my father, but really, it was me. The coward.
“Hey.” I jerked my chin to Pierce as I stepped onto the deck.
“What’s up?” He walked over, glancing over my shoulder to the house. “Where did Nellie go?”
“She left. And Harry and I are taking off too. Harry’s not feeling great.”
“Oh. Damn.” He clapped me on my shoulder. “Are you coming back?”
“Yeah.” There was nothing for me at the Winnebago. Nellie had stolen the book I’d been reading. “I’ll see you in a bit.”
I lifted a hand to wave at Kerrigan, then hustled for the driveway.
Harry was in the passenger seat of the Land Rover with the door open to let in some air. Next time, I’d have to remember to take my keys with me and lock the door.
I slid behind the wheel and hit the ignition button, then plucked my sunglasses from the console. Even with the shades on, I sent her a glare. “I’m never inviting you to another party.”
“Newsflash, Cal. There isn’t a party in Calamity I can’t attend without your invitation.”
I growled, knowing she was right, and put the SUV into reverse. Of all the people for me to make friends with in Calamity, why had I picked this salty woman? Damn Harry for being so popular.
When we’d arrived earlier, I’d assumed that I would need to make a few introductions. Nope. Harry knew everyone but the Grays Peak employees, who I hadn’t met either. And Harry hadn’t met Nellie.
My beautiful Nellie who’d left here on the verge of tears.
Was she okay? Maybe I should stop by her place to check in. At the very least, if she wanted to be at the barbeque, I could give her the all clear. She could return in my stead.
“You can drop me at the lobby,” Harry said as we neared the motel.
“Okay.” I eased into the parking lot, seeing Marcy through the office windows.
Harry waved at her, then opened her door, but stopped before stepping out. “Does she feel the same way about you?”
I blew out a long breath. Nellie didn’t hate me. But love? “I don’t know.”
“Only one way to find out. And now that your afternoon is clear . . .” Her eyes darted toward First, like she could see to Nellie’s front door. “Take a chance.”
Maybe. Maybe I should.
Or maybe I should let Nellie go.
“Have a good afternoon, Harry.”
“Why do I get the feeling I should smack some sense into you again?” She sighed and stepped outside, shaking her head as she walked to the office.
I eased onto the street, hating that Harry’s disappointment hit so hard. Whatever. I drove along First, the sidewalks crowded with people exploring downtown. Calamity was just as busy as everyone had warned, the summer tourist traffic making it hard for me to spend much time downtown.
Yesterday, I’d stopped at the grocery store for some beer, my contribution to Pierce’s barbeque, and had been asked for three autographs. The day before, I’d pulled into the gas station and the guy on the opposite end of the pump had not-so-conspicuously taken my picture.
Until the bustle died, I’d be sticking close to safe places. The Winnebago. Pierce and Kerrigan’s.
The turnoff to Nellie’s house approached.
I tightened my grip on the wheel.
Don’t turn. Do not turn.
The green street marker inched closer.
Keep going straight.
My foot eased off the gas and pressed the brake.
Don’t.
I turned and drove to her house, parking against the curb. The tires were stopped. The engine was off. But I couldn’t bring myself to open the door.