Chapter 8
Garrett
I roll over, reaching for her, expecting Annie’s warm body to be next to me. But her side of the bed is empty…cold. There’s nothing but twisted up sheets, and that familiar emptiness I used to get in my chest rears its ugly head.
For a second, I just lie here, pretending she’s in the shower, or maybe on the porch. But it’s too damn quiet. Not a footstep, or a giggle, not the sound of her humming along to a song I’d never admit I like.
Something’s not right.
I jump up and grab my jeans from last night off the floor, pulling them on, not even bothering to button them.
“Annie?” I yell, my voice already cracking.
No answer.
I stalk through the house, bare feet pounding against the wood floor, my pulse thrumming like a live wire. The bathroom is empty. Kitchen, empty. Her mug is on the table, her hair tie by the sink, but there’s a missing piece where she belongs.
My eyes fall on a piece of paper on the counter. I know before I even touch it that it’s hers. My hands shake as I read her messy handwriting.
Garrett,
Thank you so much for everything. These past couple of days spent with you were the best days of my life. I’m sorry I had to leave so quickly, but real-life calls, and I need to return to Charlotte. I will never forget you.
Please, remember me always.
Love, Annie.
Love. She said love. Does she love me?
But she’s gone, just left without saying goodbye. All I can do is stand here, stunned, and let the world spin right out from under me.
None of this makes any fucking sense. She was here…
she was fucking here, in my arms, screaming my name, telling me she felt safe.
Why would she just leave with nothing but a damn note?
My hands curl into fists, balling the piece of paper up with them.
All my anger and confusion get the best of me, and I lose it…
letting it all go, holding nothing back.
I grab the mug and hurl it at the wall. It explodes, ceramic everywhere.
I sweep my arm across the rest of the counter, not caring about the crash, about the coffee splattering everywhere.
I slam my fist into one of the cabinet doors, again and again, until pain finally cuts through the numbness and blood smears across the wood.
“How could you do this to me?” I yell at the empty kitchen, chest heaving. “How could you fucking leave, Annie?”
I storm around the house, tearing through rooms as if she’s hiding somewhere, like me wanting her to be here so bad might make her appear. God, I’m such an idiot!
“Fuck!” I bellow, kicking the sectional so hard it slides across the floor, ignoring the throbbing pain that shoots through my bare foot.
I go and grab my phone, figuring out that’s pointless. I never got her number. Can’t call, can’t text, can’t even beg.
I call the inn. Savannah picks up on the third ring. “Mountain View Inn, this is Savannah.”
“It’s Garrett. Is Annie there?”
Pause.
I can see her chewing gum, scrolling on her phone, as she twirls that wild hair.
“Nope. She checked out before I came in. Didn’t even get her free muffin. You all right?” she asks, and I sense a genuine concern in her voice. “Is Annie okay?”
I clench my jaw so hard it hurts. “Why didn’t you call me?”
Savannah’s tone turns defensive. “Well, excuse me, Mr. Grumpy Pants. I didn’t know you were Annie’s gatekeeper now. You know what—”
I hang up before saying something I’ll regret.
I pace the cabin, blood roaring in my ears. I look for anything that could be a clue to her whereabouts: a phone number, a hint, a damn receipt.
Then I spot it…a scrap of paper on the floor by the door. I pick it up and see a cell number and the number for The Cozy Corner, written in pink ink.
Aubrey.
I grab my keys and put on the first pair of boots I can find, not even bothering with the laces. And I’m out the door.
The drive to the diner is a blur. I’m white-knuckling the wheel the whole time, anger and fear raging with every mile.
When I get there, I quickly park before storming through the diner doors. So hard, the stupid little bell goes flying across the room. Heads turn. Forks freeze halfway to their mouths. And I don’t even give a shit.
Aubrey is behind the counter, pouring coffee; her eyes go wide when she sees me. “Garrett, what the hell?”
“Where is she?” I bark.
“Garrett…I don’t know what—”
“Aubrey, where the fuck is Annie?” My voice is even louder this time.
The place goes deadly quiet. “I’m sorry, can you excuse me for one second?” She smiles sweetly at the couple she’s serving.
Aubrey sets down the pot, making her way around the counter, grabbing my arm and yanking me toward the back. We get halfway down the narrow hallway when I pull free, turning on her.
“Cut the bullshit, Aubrey.”
She shoves at my chest. “Jesus, Garrett, what the hell is wrong with you? You’re scaring the customers, coming up in here acting like a madman…and why are you half naked?” Her eyes shift to my feet, and she covers her mouth to keep from laughing. “Garrett…are you wearing two different shoes?”
“Aubrey, I don’t fucking care about your customers or what your opinion is about my choice of fashion!” My voice is shaky with fury.
She props her hands on her hips and makes a clicking noise with her tongue. “I never thought I’d see the day you would be this torn up over a woman.”
“Just tell me where she went! Please.”
“Fine!” She huffs, shoving me through the kitchen doors. “Put this on, asshole. You’re making the old ladies blush,” she demands, throwing a diner shirt at me.
I yank the shirt on, feeling like I’m about to burst through the seams. “Aubrey, please.” I plead with her once more.
Aubrey crosses her arms. “She texted me at like one a.m. needing a ride back to the inn. By the time I got there, she was a mess. Wouldn’t stop crying.”
I slam my fist on the stainless steel counter, rattling the pots and pans. “She just left. Why?”
Aubrey’s expression softens. “She kept saying she had to get back to Charlotte…to real life. Listen, Garrett, it’s not my place to speak for her, but…”
“Aubrey, all she left me with was some goddamn note,” I mutter, voice shaking. “After everything…after all that…she just left.”
Aubrey sighs and puts a hand on my shoulder. I shrug it off. I know she means well, but I’m too raw for comfort right now. “You can’t shut down, Garrett. Not this time.”
I glare at her. “This is just like Clint, Aubrey. Just like when he fucked me over, then skipped town.”
She shakes her head. “It’s not the same. Annie didn’t fuck you over for money. She left because she’s scared. Because loving you scares her more than losing you.”
My throat burns. “What the fuck am I supposed to do now?”
Aubrey’s gaze is steady, fierce. “Go after her. You let Clint go with unresolved feelings, and you regretted it every damn day. Trust me, so did I. I wished you had beaten the shit out of him…anywho…if you let Annie go, that’s a regret you’ll live with for the rest of your life.
You love her, Garrett…and before you try to argue…
YES, you do. I’ve seen the way you look at her.
” She pauses for a second and just stares.
“What are you gonna do about it?” And it comes out like a challenge.
I let out a rough, broken laugh. “You think she’s gonna want me now? After she finds out I lost my shit and trashed my house?”
“There’s only one way to find out, idiot. You’re a stubborn bastard, but so is she. She needs you to fight for her.”
I shake my head, pacing the narrow space. I can’t breathe. I can’t fucking breathe. Every memory of Annie rushes back…her laugh, the way she tasted, the way she looked at me when I told her she mattered.
I can’t do this.
I can’t let her go.
“Aubrey, what do I do?”
She steps closer, lowering her voice. “Did she ever tell you about her boss? That fashion guy?”
I nod, because of course she did. She told me every detail about her life, while I told her absolutely nothing about mine.
“Well, don’t people like that typically post everything on social media?” She gives me a knowing grin. “So, maybe if you find him, you will find her.”
“I like the way you think.” I grab my phone, hands shaking, and pull up Elliot’s Instagram. There’s a post about some VIP event tonight at some fancy location in downtown Charlotte, and it looks like he’s tagged a bunch of people…I keep scrolling…there she is!
Annie Silver.
“Found him! I know where she’ll be. I’m going to get my girl.”
Aubrey grins. “About damn time.” I rush out, adrenaline pumping, barely remembering to thank her or even apologize for my little meltdown.
I’m in the truck, speeding back toward my cabin, already stripping off the borrowed shirt. I don’t care if I have to break down every damn door at every event center in Charlotte. I’m not letting Annie get away.
Not again. Not ever.