Chapter 26
Chapter Twenty-Six
Carter
Zoey was visibly upset, and I really didn’t know what to say to her. I pulled out of the hotel parking lot and headed towards the highway.
“As long as this drive goes smooth and we don’t run into any problems, we should be in Sedona around twelve thirty a.m.”
She sat there, looking straight ahead, and didn’t say a word.
“You did everything you could for that man,” I spoke.
“I know.” She stared out the passenger window. “It was his time, and when it’s your time, there’s nothing anyone can do.”
“And you know that for a fact?” I cautiously asked, knowing she was going to spew out some bullshit.
“Yes. He told me.”
“What do you mean ‘he told’ you?” I glanced over at her.
“I’m not going to explain it, Carter, and you won’t understand. All you’ll do is call me crazy and start yelling, and I’m in no mood for it. I’ll drive the rest of the way in a couple of hours.”
This feeling inside me emerged. There was a sadness in her voice when she said I called her crazy, and it made me feel—
“I’m sorry for calling you crazy, Zoey. It’s just—”
“It’s just you, Carter, feeling sorry for yourself because of the tragedies you experienced.
You became a victim of circumstance and locked yourself up in your own little world of nothing but pain and anger.
You refuse to see any good in anyone or anything.
So, if you don’t mind, I don’t want to talk about what I see all the time, every day, and every minute of my life,” she spoke in anger.
“You aren’t the only person in the world who has lost the people you love.
You aren’t the only one whose life was affected by tragedy.
You just chose to deal with it in a really shitty way. ”
I immediately swerved and pulled over on the side of the highway, clenching the steering wheel so tight that my knuckles were turning white.
“And who the fuck have you lost?” I screamed at her. “Because from what I can see, you have a perfect little life. You seem content being surrounded by death and sadness all the time. So yeah, you’re fucking crazy!”
By the light of the moon that framed her face in the passenger seat, I could see a stream of tears falling from her eyes. She didn’t speak a word but only sat there, staring straight ahead at the darkness. Fuck. I reached over and wiped away the tears that fell down her cheek.
“Don’t,” she whispered. “Just don’t.”
“I’m sorry. I know you don’t believe me, but I am.”
I put the SUV in drive and pulled back onto the highway. The next three hours were nothing but silence. We were getting really good at that.
I pulled into the Enchantment Resort at approximately twelve forty-five a.m. Zoey had been asleep for about a half hour, and I hated waking her.
“Zoey, we’re here,” I quietly spoke.
She opened her eyes, sat up straight, and looked around. Since the valet was closed, I dropped her and our bags off at the front door while I parked the SUV.
“Can I help you?” the older gentleman behind the desk asked.
“Reservation for Carter Grayson.”
“Ah yes, Mr. Grayson. We’re happy you’ve arrived.”
“Thank you. It’s been a long drive.” I spoke.
“Your two-bedroom suite is ready, and I can call someone to help you with your bags.”
“No need. We can take them up ourselves.”
“Very well. You will be in suite 325.” He politely smiled.
Zoey and I stepped into the elevator, and I looked over at her as soon as the doors closed.
“I’m exhausted. You must be too,” I spoke to try and lighten the tension between us.
But she wasn’t having any conversation with me. She stared straight at the closed doors, gripping the handle of her suitcase tight. I sighed as the doors opened.
“I believe we’re this way.” I pointed to the left.
We approached room 325, and as soon as I slid the keycard into the lock, I held open the door and motioned for her to step in first.