Taking the bedding, Ginny felt as if she was being dismissed. Trying not to let it bother her, she went back downstairs. Loading the washing machine, she came to the conclusion she had to give Gavin his space.
“Small steps,” she muttered, searching for another sheet set. Finding what she needed, she went back upstairs to see Gavin tying the trash bag.
“Where does he keep his vacuum cleaner? I want to make sure I got it all.”
“In the utility room,” Ginny answered.
“I’ll get it. You can make your bed.”
Muttering to herself when he was out of earshot, she smoothed the sheet out on her bed. It took longer than she was expecting, and when he didn’t immediately come back, she was about to go looking for him when he finally returned.
“Sorry, I was watching the weather forecast. The storms are dying out.”
Tossing her pillow back on her bed, she turned to look at Gavin, placing her hands on her hips. “If you’re going to tell me our kiss made you sick—”
“Ginny, a tornado hit Nashville.”
Ginny immediately sat down, reaching for her cell phone on the nightstand, then pulling up her contact list. She simply stared at it blindly. “I don’t know who to call first.”
Gavin sat down on the bed next to her. “The band has already left Nashville, and I’ll call Nickel. Who else?”
“Marty, Kimmy, Pizza….”
“Start with Marty.”
She didn’t keep him on the phone long, just making sure he was okay. Then she called Kimmy.
“Were you in the storm?”
“No. I wish had been!”
“Don’t say that!”
“It’s true. Lawrence talked me into staying in Nashville with him. I had a big argument with Nick when I didn’t go back to Queen City with him and the band. I’ve been so stupid, Ginny.”
“What did he do?”
“I went to the store alone, because he said there was no need for both of us to go and because he said he wasn’t feeling well. When I came back, he was in bed with Jacey. Do you remember her?”
“Vaguely. She’s one of the waitresses in the nightclub.”
“When I threw a fit about finding them in bed, Lawrence told me he never made any promises, that I was exaggerating their relationship, and he was just giving me a place until I could get on my feet. Jacey is now moving in with him, and I have nowhere to go.”
“Nick will let you stay with him.”
“I don’t have enough money to get to Queen City. I spent the last of my money paying Lawrence’s bills and those damn groceries.”
“Kimmy ….”
“I know …,” she wailed. “I don’t need you telling me I told you so like Nick.”
“I wasn’t. Do you have my car?”
“Yes, but I don’t even have enough money to buy gas.”
“I’ll PayPal you enough to get home. Just don’t tell Lawrence I’m sending you the money. Just go.”
“I can’t ask—”
“You’re not asking; I’m giving. You can pay me back when you’re back on your feet.”
“Thank you, Ginny. I don’t know what I’d have done if you hadn’t called.”
“You have my number. You don’t have to wait for me to call if you ever need anything. Let me know when you get on the road so I won’t be worried.” Disconnecting the call, she realized Gavin had been listening.
“Kimmy’s boyfriend break up with her?”
“Yes.”
Gavin narrowed his eyes on her. “You knew it was going to happen. That’s why you left her your car.”
“I knew he was ghosting her. I wanted her to have a safe way out when he showed his true colors.”
“How’d you know he would?”
“It’s his dedication and skill to pretend to be someone else. Lawrence was too sure of himself. That he screwed up wasn’t a shocker. What surprising is that it took Kimmy so long to realize it. I hope she gets away from him without any trouble.”
“You think she will?”
“She’s been paying his bills. He’ll want to know where she’s getting enough money to leave. He’s shady enough, and I wouldn’t put it past him to talk her into staying with him and his new girlfriend just for her money.”
“I’ll have Nickel give her an escort out of town.”
She nodded. “I’ll text her so she’ll expect him.”
Gavin placed his hand over hers on the phone. “Don’t tell her. Let me have the address she’s at, and Nickel can keep an eye out. If she runs into any trouble, he’ll be on hand.”
“Why not let me tell her? It’ll ease her mind.”
“I’m not worried about easing Kimmy’s mind. I’m worried about keeping Nickel safe.”
“I should have thought of Nickel’s safety. Lawrence could get violent with Kimmy leaving—”
“He could also take Nickel to trap you into doing what he wants. If I can see you’re foolhardy as fuck after a few days, Lawrence would be smart enough to use that to his advantage.”
“Lawrence isn’t my stalker.”