Page 48 of The Route to You

He dialed.

“How’s it going?” he asked as she answered.

“What do you think?” Davy’s voice was tight. “It’s going about as well as it can be when you’re forced to be the best and worst friend to two different people simultaneously.”

Kyle slipped out of the snow pants and draped them over a chair. “I’m not thrilled about all of this, but I do appreciate you.”

“Oh, whatever,” Davy huffed. “Listen, tell Sloan I’m giving her until nine in the morning tomorrow to call Evan. Three news trucks pulled up here an hour ago.”

“Hold that thought. Three news trucks?” The hair on the back of his neck stood.

“Yeah. That’s my point.” Davy’s voice was tense. “I’ve been googling my legal responsibility to tell the police what I know. The verdict is still out about whether we can get in trouble for withholding information, but I’m extremely uncomfortable.”

Sloan’s words about Evan trying to force her into talking to him came flooding back. “Why is he escalating things like this? She left him a note. And her ring. She told him they were done.”

“I have no idea. I haven’t talked to him for most of the day—he’s been holed up in his room all afternoon. But I’m not lying. Just put on the news. Or better yet, google Sloan’s name. I’m sure something is already popping up.”

Kyle pinched the bridge of his nose, groaning. “You’re kidding me.”

“I’m not. This is not good. But it’s not going to be your problem for much longer.” Davy’s tone shifted again, business now, like she was bracing herself to say something she hated. “Antony called. Corporate wants you on a plane to Cabo the day after tomorrow.”

What the fuck? Two days? He’d had some last-minute trips before, but never with this little warning. “What?”

“Yeah, apparently this is prime whale-watching season and there’s a rare mother-calf blue whale that’s been giving people a show right now. Plus, the humpback and orca pods are active this season. They want you out there before you miss the opportunity.”

“But you said they were giving me until the end of January.”

“They were. But now they changed their minds.” Davy’s voice went flat. “You know how they are. Now where do you want me to book your departure from? Bozeman-Yellowstone?”

“I won’t have any of my stuff. I didn’t pack for Cabo. And I need to take care of my grandmother’s wishes first.”

“What do you need to pack? A swimsuit? T-shirts?” Davy’s impatience flared. “You’ll be fine.”

“Davy—”

“No, listen.”

He braced for a lecture, cringing.

“I already fought hard to get this whole trip pushed so you can spend Christmas with your family. I didn’t schedule this, but if you make me go back to them again and tell them you’re unwilling or need more time, I can tell you right now that they won’t be happy.” She exhaled hard. “You were in a tough spot in December, but to them you’re talent, Kyle. A dime a dozen. On a new contract.”

Her anger threaded through her voice, justified and raw. “And between the tabloid pictures that made you look irresponsible in the desert and postponing Cabo, they’re already questioning whether they should simply replace you.”

He couldn’t help wondering if her frustration was only amplified by what had happened this morning.

The silence between them thickened.

What could he say? No?

She was right. He’d probably lose his job.

And he liked his job, even if he needed balance and to stop letting it chew him up.

“You know, for what it’s worth, even if you don’t care about your job anymore, being irresponsible affects more than just you, Kyle.”

He gritted his teeth. Was he really willing to push back on this?

“All right,” he said tightly. “The day after tomorrow. Bozeman. If you could make the flight in the afternoon, I’d appreciate it. Send me the itinerary.”