12. Zane

TWELVE

ZANE

A ll night, I wait for Caryn to call. I wait for her to let me know she’s okay, that she’s not lying in a ditch somewhere between Deer Ridge and Albany. All night, I put on a smile, act happy, and make excuses to the people at the festival, asking where my bride-to-be is.

“She got held up.”

“She sends her apologies.”

“Caryn had a previous engagement.”

Each one a lie.

Each one making me angrier.

I didn’t want to come back to the inn. To maybe seeing my fiancée sitting in the room, doing nothing, when she was supposed to be by my side. By my father’s side. But here I am because the only other person I’m interested in speaking to right now is smart enough to turn me down.

Evangeline had to have noticed Caryn’s absence. Yet, she never asked. Why would she? As far as she knows, I left her for Caryn. Ev shouldn’t care. She doesn’t need to be involved in my drama.

My SUV idles in the driveway of the inn. I never wanted to stay here, but there was no way Caryn would’ve stayed at my dad’s. If we had, the complaint list would’ve been a mile long. He doesn’t have the right towels or sheets. The couch is lumpy, and the water doesn’t stay hot for long. It’s not her fault she’s like this. It’s her parents’.

Inside the inn, it’s dark except the strategically placed night-lights. I head up the stairs, praying Caryn’s here. Before I get to our room, I check my phone one last time. Her location isn’t sharing, which means her phone is dead or she’s turned the feature off, so I don’t know where she is. She’s done this a couple times, mostly when she’s out with her girlfriends. I’ve never said anything because I don’t want to be that guy.

I already know she’s not inside. If she was, the television would be on. Caryn doesn’t like to be alone. The room is dark, with the moon barely giving me any sight. I flick on the lights and head right to the closet. Everything is gone. All her clothes, shoes, handbags. I groan and run my hand through my hair. Something tells me she has no intention of coming back.

She didn’t even have the decency to tell me she wasn’t coming to the event, after she said she’d be there.

Pressing her name on my phone, I hold it in my hand while I pace. After three attempts, she picks up.

“Where are you? ”

“Well, that’s rude,” she says with some snark.

It takes everything in me not to scream. I sit on the edge of the bed and pinch the bridge of my nose. “No, Caryn. What’s rude is you not showing up for the event tonight. What’s inexcusable is you not having the common courtesy to let me know.”

On the other end, I hear shuffling and a door closing. She could be anywhere, except where she said she would be.

“Caryn, are you safe?”

“Yes, why wouldn’t I be?”

“Gee, I don’t know. Maybe it’s because you turned your location services off or because you’re not here like you told me you would be.”

“I don’t get what the big deal is, Zane. It was just some silly tree thing.”

My eyes close, hoping to center myself. I take a deep inhale, let it out, and repeat the process. “Look, I know you think the people here are beneath you.”

“I don’t think this, Zane. I know they are.”

Caryn needs some serious help.

“This event was important to me. To my dad. People asked about you. They wanted to meet you. I had to make excuses for your absence.”

“Why not tell them the truth?”

“Which is?”

“That I don’t want to be there.” She huffs.

“Caryn—”

“No, listen. I know I said I wanted to but it’s not for me, Zane. The small town, eating at the same place every day, going to the general store that hasn’t been updated since the eighties, I’m not about that life. And honestly, when we get married, we’re selling the store. There is zero value in it, and we’ll be lucky to make a buck.”

“We’re not selling the store.” My jaw ticks in frustration.

“We are. You like to think I don’t know anything, but I know a struggling business when I see one. The store isn’t just struggling, Zane. It’s dead. Lock the door and throw away the key.”

Unfortunately, I think she’s right, but the only opinion that matters is my dad’s.

“Tonight was important to my dad, Caryn. He expected you there.”

She scoffs. “He doesn’t even like me. Why would I stand next to someone who doesn’t want me around?”

“You aren’t giving him a chance. We would’ve had dinner with him, been there for him, and done so as a family.”

“Listen, Zane. I get that he’s your dad, but up until Thanksgiving, you never wanted to see him. I don’t know where all of this is coming from or why the sudden change of heart.”

“He’s all I have left.”

“You have my parents. Let me ask you this. Do you really see us bring our children to visit your dad? They’re going to be bored out of their minds. Not only that, but they’re going to know he’s . . . not well off.”

Why does everything have to be about money with her ?

I get up and pace, holding my phone in my hand. I’m angrier than I am sad right now. Which says a lot.

“Come back home, Zane.”

I shake my head. “Not until after Christmas.”

“I’m not coming back there, and I want to spend Christmas with you and my parents.”

“I get it, Caryn. I really do. But I’m not ditching my dad. Not now.”

“Zane!” She screams my name in a high-pitch squeal, and I know a temper fit is about to start. I set my phone down on the bed and take a few steps away from it, taking deep breaths to try and calm down. “I will not spend Christmas alone. If you think for one second that I’ll be without my fiancé at the holiday parties, you’re sorely mistaken.”

“Then I guess I’m mistaken.” Whatever the hell that’s supposed to mean.

“Are you serious right now? You know I can ruin your life.”

Her words give me pause. She’s threatening my job, and she’ll probably succeed. I was stupid when I started dating the boss’s daughter. For all I know, she was in on the setup of keeping me in New York and away from Eve.

“Zane!”

“I’m here, Caryn.”

“Get your ass in the car and back here where you belong. No one says no to me.”

I sigh. “I’m telling you no.” I hang up before she can scream again and flop onto the bed. Her voice, the shrill of it, echoes through my mind. Closing my eyes, I think of anything but how red her face probably is right now and how she’s no doubt on the phone to her father, demanding he fire me. If he does, I’ll thank him for the opportunity he’s given me, take my severance, and move along to another firm.

Although, it’s likely he’ll blackball me in the legal field. My days as an attorney are likely over.

Lovely .

An hour later, I find myself at the Marching Solider, sitting at the bar, drinking whiskey and Coke. I hate drinking and only do it socially and even then, it’s one drink and I’ll nurse it all night if I have to. But here I am, on my fourth, with no intentions of stopping.

In the back, two couples are shooting pool. It’s hard to tell who’s winning and if I were only two deep, I’d challenge them for the table. Back in the day, I used to be good. My partner was better, but I left her high and dry when I took the stupid internship with Bamford.

“You good, my friend?” the bartender asks. He’s not from around here, which is perfect. He doesn’t know me. I don’t know him. I am curious if he knows Eve, though. I want to know why she isn’t dating someone. She’s so beautiful and perfect. I will never forgive myself for hurting her.

I tap the bar top for another. The bartender places it in front of me.

“Hey, man. Do you have a car?” he asks.

“Sure do. ”

“Rad. Mind if I borrow your keys? My lock is stuck back here.”

I fish them out of my pocket and slam them on the counter. My new friend takes them and for a brief second, I wonder where he’s going with them. But then my mind goes back to Caryn.

“You married?”

“No,” he tells me. “Women are a lot of trouble. Too many rules.”

I laugh, but it comes out as a snort. “My girl hates it here.”

“Small town life is tough.”

“I’m from the ‘city.’” I use air quotes thinking this guy may not understand how important New York City is.

“Yeah. It’s fun there. What brings you to Deer Ridge?”

“Used to live here until I didn’t. It’s hard to come to a life you used to have and bring your other life here. She doesn’t understand because she’s rich rich and spoiled. Her parents spoil her. You know, I work for her daddy. We live together and he supports her. What kind of husband is that going to make me?”

“A lucky one? No bills. Sounds like heaven to me.”

I nod. “I want more.”

Now he laughs. “Don’t we all. My friend, is there someone I can call for you?”

“Do you know Evangeline?”

“Holcomb? Yeah, she’s legit. Is she your lawyer?”

No, but she might be if I might need one.

“Yeah. ”

“All right. I’ll give her a shout. Hang tight.”

“Oh, I’m hanging.”

When he returns, he points to the door. I think I’m smiling. I know I’m definitely swaying. Eve walks in, heading right to me.

“God, you’re beautiful,” I tell her as she sits down. She’s the one I should’ve asked to marry me. I wanted to. But Bamford dangled the too-good-to-be-true job in my face, and I took it.

“Sprite?” the bartender asks her.

“Yes, please.”

“Hey,” I say when she looks at me.

“You’re a little drunk, Zane.”

I hold my fingers up and try to focus on them to show her how drunk I am. “This much.”

“More than enough.” She looks sad and tired. Probably tired of me being in her way. I don’t blame her.

“What are you doing out this late?”

“I got a call that my friend needed a ride.”

I look around the bar. “Who?”

She shakes her head and elbows me. “Finish up and I’ll take you home.”

“Home?” I lift the whiskey to my lips and sip. “I don’t have a home anymore.

“Everything will be fine in the morning.”

“I’m going to need an attorney. Can I hire you?”

“Sure, but what do you need my services for?”

“Unlawful firing. I’m going to lose my job if I don’t go back right now.” I slam my hand on the bar to emphasize my point.

“Lovely. Drink up and we’ll go. ”

“Are you going to be okay with him, Evangeline?” the bartender asks.

“She can handle me. Can’t you, Eve?” I say with a smile. Or what I think is a smile. I’m actually not sure.

Her cheeks turn red, and she rolls her eyes.

“I’m sorry, Eve. I’m so sorry I hurt you.”

“I know. Come on, Zane. Let’s go. He’ll come back tomorrow to settle up and get his keys.”

“My keys! He stole them.” I point at the bartender.

“No, he didn’t. He saved your life. Come on.”

Evangeline helps me into my jacket and puts my knit hat over my head. When we get outside, she keeps her arm locked in mine. She tells me when to step down and up as we cross the street and all but pushes me up her flight of stairs.

Inside her place, I sigh heavily.

She helps take off my jacket and shows me where the bathroom is, which is smart because I really have to go. When I stumble out of the bathroom after doing my business, she hands me some pills and a bottle of water.

“I made you a bed on the couch, and I plugged your phone into the charger.”

“Did she call?”

“I’m assuming you mean Caryn, and I don’t know. Come on.” She guides me to the couch, making sure I’m comfortable. “I’ll leave the bathroom light on so you can see where you’re going and there’s a bucket on the floor. Just in case.”

“Eve, come lie on the couch with me.” I pat the blankets a few times, just in case she doesn’t know what I mean .

“No, Zane. Go to sleep.”

I can hear Eve moving about her place. She’s quiet, and I can’t tell what she’s doing. Now, more than ever, I wish I wasn’t drunk off my ass and unable to function. In my time of need, she came to save me when she didn’t have to. She’s by far, the best person I know.