Chapter 68
Sharing information
"Hey, guys!" Marta called out as she got out of her vehicle, approaching Cam, Gray, and Daniel, who'd just joined them. Wasting no time, she jumped straight into her report. "Riley's gone to that tiny island with Bear."
Gray's face sank. He knew she had gone there; he'd been moping that he couldn't go too. But she wasn't supposed to leave until tomorrow. His plan was to stay with her tonight and reassure her Shelley was only his coworker.
"Does anyone know where it is?" she asked, glancing around. "Not that I want to go find her, but just in case she doesn't come back tomorrow night?"
They exchanged looks, realizing none of them knew the exact location, but they were all confident she'd be fine. Riley was a capable boat captain, the weather was clear, and she had Bear with her.
As the guys shared their updates with Marta, Cam made a decision.
"All we can do right now is head back to the Square and see if Cici and Declan found Shelley.
Daniel and Marta, head home so you'll be fresh for tomorrow.
If we don't find her, we'll call it a night.
Plus, we know she'll end up at Gray's place since all her stuff is there.
" Cam gave a tight smile; they all looked exhausted.
Getting into their vehicles, something struck Daniel. "Gray, I hate to ask this, but if Shelley has nowhere to stay starting tomorrow, what are you going to do?"
Gray stopped mid-step, turning to face Daniel, realizing he hadn't thought it through.
"I... I don't know. Technically, she's my colleague, so I don't want to turn her away if the lab sent her.
But I definitely don't want her staying with me either.
Even if it's just a few days until we can figure this out with my boss. "
Gray ran his hands through his hair, clearly stressed.
Shelley's staying with him was enough of a nightmare.
But what would it do to his budding relationship with Riley?
He didn't know if anyone had told Riley before she left work that Shelley's arrival was unexpected and unwelcome.
For all he knew, Riley might think he'd kept a secret relationship with Shelley hidden.
His face paled as the thought hit him. "You don't think..." His voice wavered. "You don't think Riley believes I was just using her as some kind of... 'local hookup,' do you?"
He could barely get the words out. His heart was entirely with Riley, and with how hard he'd worked to win her trust, the idea of losing it over this was gut-wrenching.
Cam, Daniel, and Marta exchanged concerned glances. Gray looked visibly ill.
"Let's just find Cici and Declan," Gray muttered. "I'll drive myself crazy thinking about all the 'what ifs' until we get some answers."
They all nodded, knowing how much Riley meant to him. Gray had become part of their found family, and they'd stand by him no matter what.
"Let's go and hopefully we'll find all three of them together," Cam said, getting into his vehicle.
Gray climbed into the passenger seat, while Daniel and Marta exchanged worried looks before getting into their own vehicles to head home.