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“Hi,” she said, trying to sound casual.
“Hey,” he replied, but there was a hint of distraction in his tone.
Abbie furrowed her brow. He didn’t sound like himself.
“Is everything okay?”
“I’m fine. Just busy.”
She couldn’t help feeling a twinge of disappointment at his curt response.
“Oh. Were we still getting together this weekend?” She nervously chewed on her bottom lip.
“I can’t.”
Her heart sank at the finality of his words.
“I see.”
“I just told you I was busy, Abbie.”
“Right.” She tried to keep her frustration in check as he brushed her off again. “Maybe next weekend then?”
“We’ll see. I have to go. I’m working on a case.”
“Of course,” she muttered under her breath.
Her temper simmered as he abruptly hung up without any further explanation or reassurance that they would make plans for another time. She stared at her phone in disbelief, unable to believe he had treated her so callously. Without a second thought, she hit the button to disconnect and angrily tossed her phone onto the sofa. What the hell was going on with him?
She understood that he was fully consumed by a case, but his abruptness still stung. He barely acknowledged her presence and made no mention of calling her later.
“I’m not going to sit around and wait for you, Creed McBride. I know you’re busy, but a few minutes of your time wouldn’t have hurt.” She sighed, frustrated with how some men always seemed to prioritize work over relationships. She knew that wasn’t fair because he had an important job and sometimes, he had to work on a case, but it still stung.
Tears welled up in her eyes as she wondered if she would ever hear from him again. She let out an exasperated huff, knowing that ever since his memory returned, his dynamic had shifted. It all revolved around the night Mac died and the others were shot. She prayed that was the only reason for his distant behavior because she was deeply in love with him, even though she had no idea if he felt the same way.
She dialed Lorna’s number on her phone and asked if they could meet up this weekend. Lorna agreed, and they decided to grab lunch at the diner tomorrow.
As the night dragged on, Abbie couldn’t stop thinking about Creed and their last conversation. She tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
The next day, she sat in a booth at the diner with Lorna and Lily, but she couldn’t enjoy her food. She moved her fork through her food, lost in thought.
“What’s wrong, Abs? Is something going on between you and Creed?” Lorna finally asked.
“Well, that’s the million dollar question,” Abbie replied with a sigh. “I hadn’t heard from him in days, so I called him. He practically brushed me off. I know he’s been consumed by the case of the night Mac was killed and they were shot, but ever since he regained his memories, he’s been determined to find the men responsible.” Abbie recounted their brief conversation.
“He hung up on you?” Lorna gasped.
“It hurt, Lorna,” she admitted. “I understand why he’s preoccupied, but he could have spared a minute to talk to me before dismissing me like that.”
“Eli did mention that they were working hard to find the men responsible, and to be honest, I want that too. I want the men who killed Mac brought to justice,” Lorna said.
“I know, but it cut me to the quick when he hung up. I mean, I want them to find the men too, but a few damn minutes wouldn’t have hurt.”
“Aunt Abbie! You said a bad word,” Lily spoke up.
“I’m sorry, Lily.” She smiled.
Lily grinned then went back to coloring.
