Page 34 of Broken: Taylor

“The twins were gone to the auction...” Allison began defending only to be cut off.

“They got back two days ago. One of them should have made sure you were okay after Taylor left.”

Allison sniffed and hugged Leah. “I’m fine. I stayed at Tori’s for a couple of nights. Let’s have tea. You need to calm down.”

Both took a breath. Leah swallowed and looked at Allison for a long time. “I was terrified for you when Luke told me he’d not come to check on you. The dorks counted on Eric to watch over you.”

“It’s okay.” Allison smiled, happy to have company, her spirits immediately lifted.

“Oh and I am not sure what’s going on with Taylor. Tobias told Luke he packed up a bag and left early this morning. He didn’t say anything other than he needed to take care of some personal stuff. Tobias is livid.”

Perhaps being stabbed by the killer would have hurt less. Although Allison suspected it could happen, hearing it was a totally different story. Taylor was probably working things out with his ex.

“Really?” It was all she could think to say. “Why is Tobias mad?”

Leah waved Allison to the table. “Sit down, I have to keep moving.” She poured hot water from the electric teapot into cups. After carefully measuring loose tea into small tea bags, she plopped them into each cup.

It took a lot of willpower not to hurry her along, but Allison remained sitting. She refused to cry or allow emotion to take over.

Finally Leah sat down. “Taylor is not doing well. He has been taking a lot of pain medication for his hip. He stopped going to pain management. He was supposed to go and get seen this week.”

“He may have gone,” Allison replied. “Who knows?”

Leah shrugged. “Maybe, but it seems crazy to just pack and leave if that was the case.”

There was a moment of hesitation when Allison’s cell phone dinged. “I have an appointment in ten minutes. A bride and her mother.”

“No problem, I won’t be in the way. I’ll just set up over there,” Leah said pointing to the corner behind the chocolate counter.”

“Set up what?”

“My computer. I’m working from here until they apprehend the killer. And I’m sleeping here too.” Leah jumped to her feet. “Help me get my stuff.”

She couldn’t help but smile as she followed her bossy friend outside.

“What?” Leah screamed. “You slept with Taylor and are just now telling me about it.”

That evening, they sat on the couch, each one with a laptop browsing the Internet while chatting. Leah pushed hers off and leaned forward. “You better put that computer down and look at me.”

“Fine.” Allison prolonged it on purpose just to annoy Leah. “It was the second night he was here. We started making out and one thing led to another.”

Leah’s gaze searched her face and a slow curve of her lips turned into a wide smile. “So, was it good?”

“Amazing.” Allison sighed. “Best sex ever.”

“Ooooh.” With a dramatic gesture, Leah crossed both hands over her chest and swayed. “Those Hamiltons have it going on.”

“Yep.” Her chest constricted at the fact she’d never sleep with him again. “Got my wish after so long.”

“Damn and now this.” Leah blew out a frustrated breath. “He sucks.”

“Hey, maybe when he went to Wyoming, he and the ex realized they wanted to be together.”

Leah didn’t look convinced. “Then again, he may have headed to the woods to live in a cave.”

“That I doubt.” Allison couldn’t help but laugh at the thought while at the same time something about the entire thing bothered her. He didn’t seem the impulsive type. “I hope he’s okay. Maybe I’ll call him, you know, pretend I don’t know he left.”

“Good idea.” Leah’s gaze moved to the cell phone on her side table. “Do it now.”

Although she wanted to call and every fiber of her being demanded it, the thought he’d actually answer kept her from doing so. No, it was best to wait.

Taylor Hamilton needed to get away. Whatever his reasoning, if he’d wanted to talk to her, he would have.

“I’ll wait. I can’t do it now.”