Unraveled (7 page)

Lauren watched as Seth fiddled with the cables then turned back to give them instructions. She couldn’t bear to hurt his feelings. Her stomach hardened, but she would take that over the disappointment etched on Seth’s forehead.

“Seth,” she squeezed his elbow. “Thanks for inviting me. I’ll come with you.”

A wide smile broke through the storm cloud hovering on his face. His eyes lit up as they bumped fists. “Sweet. Now let’s get this c-c-car s-s-started.”

She smiled. If only she could cast her cares aside as easily as Seth.

Blake grunted and hauled the last sea kayak onto the rack in the warehouse. He spent the entire afternoon with the newlyweds, paddling all over creation and answering a bazillion questions. Every single muscle ached. A hot shower and some take-out from the Thai place, maybe kick back and catch a few innings of the Mariners game on TV…the perfect end to a grueling day.

Jeremy pulled up in his truck, one arm dangled out the open window and a wide grin stretched across his face. “What up, bro?”

“I’m about to call it a night. What are you up to?” Blake tossed his hat on the hood of the truck and pulled on a well-loved University of Alaska sweatshirt.

“Jump in. Everybody’s headed for a party at Jess’s place.”

“Not everybody. I’m going home. It’s been a long day, man.”

“What if I told you a certain redhead might make an appearance?”

“How do you know?”

Jeremy winked. “Seth sent me a text. Said he talked her into going.”

Blake hesitated. He couldn’t resist. “Meet me at home. I need a shower. And I’m driving.”

Jeremy laughed and drove off, tires spewing gravel.

Blake eased into his favorite spot in front of Jess’s cabin. Close to the bon fire with an unobstructed view of the lake. The water reflected the purples and blues of Mt. Greer, a few dollops of snow still clinging to the mountain’s craggy peaks. Two trumpeter swans glided gracefully near the shore, a fluffy brood of cygnets trailing in their wake. It turned out to be a beautiful evening after all.

Blake grabbed a Coke from the cooler and settled onto his tailgate. Seth Carter’s unmistakable guffaw rang out from the crowd gathered around the fire. He was always the life of the party. Blake watched Jeremy fist-bump and high-five his way to the food.

Shannon came out of the cabin with a tray of cookies and Lauren followed with chips and salsa. Blake’s heart thrummed in his chest as he took in the dark washed jeans and pale blue V-neck sweater hugging her curves. She’d tamed her curls and they cascaded over her shoulders in bouncy ringlets. His eyes fell on the delicate hollow near her collarbone where he used to plant kisses. She caught him staring and a slow heat crawled up his neck. He smiled and raised his Coke in her direction.
Real smooth, genius. She returned his smile but remained planted next to Shannon.

“You saved me a seat, how thoughtful!” Tisha plopped down on the tailgate next to him, red wine sloshing out of her glass. “Oops!” She giggled. “Party foul!”

Blake groaned inwardly as she scooted closer. Heavy floral perfume mixed with alcohol descended like a storm cloud. He glanced at Lauren. She watched, eyebrows raised, until Shannon touched her elbow and motioned toward two empty lawn chairs.

“So tell me about growing up in the wilderness of Alaska.” Tisha flung her arm dramatically toward the woods then let her hand linger on Blake’s thigh.

Are you kidding me?
The fire popped and crackled, laughter rang out. He watched Lauren nibble on a carrot stick, her plate balanced on her lap.

“You’re a wonderful girl, Tish. But let’s try to keep this professional, shall we?” He removed her hand from his leg and placed it gently in her lap.

“C’mon.” Tisha pouted. “Don’t be a party pooper. Tell me a story and I’ll behave.”

It took every ounce of self-control he could muster not to get up and run. But he couldn’t embarrass her or himself in front of everybody. Besides, until they trained another employee, she was indispensable.

A few of the girls Blake had grown up with gathered around Shannon and Lauren. He could tell by the squeals of delight and Lauren’s extended arm that they were admiring her ring. That chafed him pretty good. “Why don’t I introduce you to some of the ladies here tonight? I’m sure they would love to meet you.”

Tisha wrinkled her nose. “Doubt it. They’re all about that redhead. Who is she, anyway?”

Blake’s chest tightened. He glanced over at Lauren again. Now that was a story, alright. But not one he felt like telling.

“I’ll tell you what. How about—”

“Wait.” Tisha pointed toward the road. “Who is that?”

Blake turned and looked. A tall, dark-haired guy in jeans and a bomber jacket climbed out of a taxi in Jess’s driveway. He pushed his aviator sunglasses on top of his head, surveying the crowd that circled the fire. When his eyes landed on Lauren, he slammed the door of the cab and started toward her. Somebody had turned off the radio. It was so quiet, Blake could hear the grass squeak under the guy’s fancy brown shoes as he cut across the yard. The hair on the back of Blake’s neck stood up. This looked an awful lot like trouble.

“Lo-lo?” Jess tapped her shoulder. “Do you know that guy?”

Lauren’s heart pounded in her chest.
Holden.
It couldn’t be.

She dropped her paper plate and it landed face-down, smearing Ranch dressing on the toe of her boot.

Ignoring the mess, she stood and closed the distance between them in several quick strides. A look of fierce determination brewed in his eyes. “What are you doing here?”

“You told me if I was sorry, I’d catch the next plane out. I chartered a flight. We need to talk.” He glanced over her shoulder. “If you aren’t too busy. I wouldn’t want to interrupt. Your mother said I could find you here.”

She stared in disbelief. “When did you talk to my mother?”

“A few minutes ago. I tried to call you when I landed but you didn’t answer. So I went to your house. Very rustic. Too bad I can’t stay.” Holden offered a sad smile.

Lauren swallowed hard. “What do you mean you can’t stay?”

“Can we talk? Privately? Please, Lauren. This is important.”

She glanced around at her old friends, staring, slack-jawed at her fiancé. “C’mon. Jess used to have a couple of chairs down on the dock. We can talk there.”

Holden followed her down to the small wooden dock that jutted out into the lake. Two rocking chairs, sporting fresh coats of white paint, sat side by side. Lauren sank into one of the chairs, her fingers trembling as she tucked a loose curl behind her ear.

“What’s going on?”

Holden still stood, staring out at the lake. “It’s complicated.”

“Is this about you dispensing medication?”

He turned, eyes narrowed. “What did you see?”

The blood drained to her toes. So there was something going on. She swallowed hard. “I’m not stupid, Holden. I watch you. The way you talk to the bartender at Papa Haydn’s. When you take me there for dinner—it’s like you have something that he wants. And he’ll do anything to get it.”

Holden swore and kicked a rock. It skittered off the edge into the pond. “What else?”

She chewed her lower lip, heart thundering in her chest. “What do you mean?”

“What else do you know?” Holden started to pace. “I need to know if you’ve talked to anybody else, seen anyone hanging around your apartment, following you home. Anything.”

Lauren laughed, but it came out nervous and forced. “Have you lost your mind? Nobody’s following me, Holden. That’s crazy.”

Holden stopped pacing and dropped into the chair opposite hers. His eyes darted back toward the crowd. Then he leaned close, his voice barely a whisper. “Here’s the thing. I’m in a little trouble. I need to go off the grid for a while. I hate that I’ve dragged you into this, but I think it’s better if we don’t see each other anymore.”

His news sucked the breath right out of her. “Dragged me into what?”

Holden leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “I’m trying to be honest. Really. But I can’t tell you everything because I need to protect you.”

She snorted. “Please. Do you hear yourself right now?” A slide show of day trips to Cannon Beach and romantic dinners in the Pearl District played through her mind. He was so good to her. And a surgeon, for crying out loud. How could he possibly be in trouble?

Wait. Monique. Goosebumps pebbled her flesh. “Does Monique have anything to do with this?”

Holden dropped his chin to his chest. “Monique’s been addicted to painkillers since I operated on her knee last fall. She promised me she’d quit.”

Lauren gasped. “Holden. How could you?”

He slid from the chair and knelt at her feet. He reached for her hand, but she shrunk back. Her stomach turned. “Believe me, she’s the least of my worries right now. This is exactly why I need to go away for a while. It’s not that I don’t love you, babe. But I’m no good for you. Not like this.”

This couldn’t be happening. Hot tears pricked her eyelids. But she wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of seeing her cry. “Just go,” she whispered.

He hesitated.

Oh. Of course. The ring. She twisted it off her finger, bypassed his outstretched palm and chucked the diamond into the lake. It landed somewhere behind him with a gentle
ploop. Tilting her head, she forced herself to meet his gaze. “If you want it back, you’ll have to swim for it.”

He squeezed his hand shut and stood slowly, his complexion pasty white. “I guess I deserved that. Goodbye, Lauren.”

She remained seated, watching the ripples from her ring expand in concentric circles across the lake and disappear. Just like that. Game over. Once she heard the crunch of gravel under his feet, she shifted in her chair to watch him go. Without a backward glance, Holden marched toward the taxi still idling near the road. When the tail lights were out of sight, she sagged against the back of the rocking chair and wept.

Blake stuffed the last bag of trash into the can outside of Jess’s garage and dug in his pocket for his keys. He waved to the last car load of his friends pulling out of the driveway.
Getting way too old to stay out past midnight.
Matthew Carter preached a heck of a sermon and he needed to get his butt in the pew to hear it, first thing in the morning.

“Hey.” Jess jogged toward him, pointing down toward the dock.

His heart shimmied when he recognized the unmistakable silhouette of Lauren still sitting in the rocking chair.

“Go talk to her, man. Nobody’s said a word to her since that guy left.”

Blake nodded. As he got closer to the dock, he could see her shoulders trembling and she swiped quickly at her cheeks. She was huddled against one armrest, knees pulled up under her chin.

“Go away,” she said, shivering.

Blake lowered himself into the other chair and stretched his legs out in front of him. He tipped his head back and admired the pale pink streaks brushed against the baby blue sky.

“It’s a beautiful night. Where’s lover boy?”

“O-o-on his ch-ch-chartered plane,” she stuttered, teeth chattering.

“Want to talk about it?” Blake shrugged out of his fleece jacket and handed it to her.

She shook her head, cocooning inside the jacket as fresh tears glistened on her cheeks. Blake resisted the urge to reach over and brush those tears away. It killed him to see her cry.

“C’mon, I’ll drive you home. Seth left with Molly Simmons.” He stood and jangled his keys.

She walked in front of him, wordless, across the yard to his truck. He liked the way she looked wrapped up in his jacket.

He held open her door, breathing in the sweet scent of her shampoo as she brushed past him. With a last wave to Jess, he jogged around the truck and slid behind the wheel.