Chapter Seven
CHAPTER SEVEN
TOBIAS
What’s the point of an engagement party?
I stare at the suit I had dry-cleaned earlier this week and run a hand through my hair.
They posted a picture of the ring online to make the announcement and sent out save-the-date cards. People already know it’s happening. Not to mention, my group of friends held a little surprise party for Nat the weekend after it happened. It doesn’t matter that Griffin was out of town and wasn't there to celebrate—we already did this.
I just don't get it.
Maybe the invitation said more, but I still haven’t opened it.
Natalie gave me all the details in person. Reading them seemed pointless. Hello, it’s not like I'd forget. I remember everything that woman has ever said to me. Her likes, her dislikes, her dreams and goals, how she broke her leg in fifth grade and pretended she was still healing to get out of track even after her cast was off and she felt great. I couldn’t forget anything about her even if I tried.
I blow out a breath.
Which is exactly why her words from the last time we talked, two nights ago, keep playing in my mind.
Just because your life isn’t going the way you wanted doesn’t mean you need to bring me down with you.
Is that what I’ve been doing?
Is this why I’ve been looking for a reason to make Griffin the villain?
I saw the way he looked at that waitress, and my gut still says that “my love” text wasn’t from Natalie, but I have no proof.
Just a gut feeling Natalie might have just summed up in one statement. Maybe I am miserable, and I’m looking to put everyone on my level.
Shit, does she even still want me there tonight?
I can’t imagine not being there for her.
I guess I’ll know my answer when they kick me out or not. Knowing Griffin, he probably will.
I stand, ready to get dressed and put on my best smile for the rest of the night. I’ve barely removed the coat off the hanger when my phone rings.
It’s not a number I recognize. Probably spam, but this sinking feeling in my gut tells me I should answer it.
Or maybe I’ll just do anything right now to avoid getting ready for the night.
“Hello?”
“Is this Tobias Banks?” a voice rushes out.
“Yes.”
“This is Mike Timmons. I live next door to your grandmother.”
My heart rate instantly spikes, and I toss the hanger and coat onto my bed.
“Yeah, okay. Is there a reason you’re calling me?”
“She gave me your number in case of emergencies and?—”
“Where is she? What happened? Put her on the phone.”
“She’s fine, she's fine, but she’s on her way to Lovers’s hospital.”
I’m already down my stairs and grabbing my keys before he can say more.
“Why?” I snap into the phone, repeating myself. “What happened?”
“She fell down her stairs, and she’s pretty banged up, but because of her age, they took her to monitor her.”
“I’m a little over two hours away. Does she have her phone?”
“No, I’m following the ambulance, and I have it with me.”
A fucking ambulance for falling? How bad was it?
I don’t know this guy, but I sure as hell can guarantee he isn't going to tell me all the details. He’ll sugarcoat it. People always do because they don't want anyone to panic.
“If you see her before I get there, tell her I’m on my way.”
“I will. See you soon.”
My tires peel out of the driveway as I head for the highway between Wind Valley and Lovers.
I press the green phone button on my steering wheel. “Call Hero Quinn.”
My car repeats his name back to me and then it rings.
“Hey, man, are you already there?”
“No. I’m … I’m not going to make it.” My heart aches.
“Are you kidding me? What’s going on?”
“Grandma Betty fell, and she’s in an ambulance on her way to the hospital in Lovers.”
“Fuck. Okay. Is she all right?”
“Her neighbor said she’s fine, but I need to?—”
“I’ll explain everything to Natalie. She’ll understand.”
“Actually, don't tell her.”
I tap my thumbs on the steering wheel. No one in our group is a big fan of lying, but this is a special case. Or so I tell myself.
“What?”
“I don’t want to ruin the party with her worrying about Grandma Betty. We both know she will. She’ll probably sit at a table by herself holding her phone and crying or something. This is a big night; I don’t want to steal it from her.”
“She’s going to ask.”
The guys don’t know about the fight we had, and it’s probably best not to share it right now.
“I know. I’m not asking you to lie, but please do your best to not tell her everything.”
“Tobias, this … she’s going to be mad at you.”
I nod even though he can't see me. She will. I know. But our relationship is changing anyway. Maybe it’ll be easier for us to back away from each other if she’s upset with me.
“I’ll explain to her later.”
“Are you sure this is what you want to do? She’s your best friend.”
She is. She always will be, even if she doesn't want to be mine anymore.
“I’m sure.”