“She called because she thought someone was watching her in the parking lot. She didn’t want to admit it, but she thought it was Zander. But then she went right back to being her typical self, refusing to let me help her. I tried to get her to stay at the office until our meeting was over, or to even let you drive her home, but she refused.”
I shook my head and stared down at the floor, unable to believe what I was hearing. “I had no idea.”
“That doesn’t surprise me,” Tobias said. He expression suddenly hardened again. “So you have to understand why I’m so protective. If I’m not looking out for her, who will? She doesn’t confide in anyone. She was even secretive with our parents back in the day. I’ve always had a feeling in my gut that one day, one of her secrets was going to get her in trouble. I’ve been worried sick about her. And then…this?” He shook his head. “It was just too much. I was already pissed off that she wasn’t taking Zander as seriously as she should have, and that she had been keeping his stalking a secret in the first place. But then to find out that she’d been messing around with my best friend and didn’t even have the decency to tell me? How was I supposed to feel?”
I sighed and lowered my head. “Listen, Tobias, I get it. I understand where you’re coming from.”
“Do you?” he said, his voice turning hard and skeptical once more. “Then why the hell did you keep this from me too?”
“Because… Hell, your reaction proved why, didn’t it? We knew you weren’t going to take it well. We wanted to tell you eventually, but we just couldn’t seem to find the right timing. You weren’t supposed to find out the way you did though, that’s for sure.”
Tobias huffed. “I sure as hell would have appreciated being spared from finding out that way too.”
“Can you forgive me?” A long silence followed my question, but eventually, Tobias nodded. Nevertheless, there was a distinct look of disgust on his face. “Are you sure?” I asked.
“I just don’t get it, Anderson. Joanna? Of all people, all the women you’ve been with, you choose my little sister. You two couldn’t stand each other. How did this happen?”
I shrugged my shoulders. “Things were different back then. She’s changed. I’ve changed.”
Tobias rubbed his temples as if he had a headache. “Just tell me, you guys never… Not when we were kids…”
“No,” I said quickly. “I never looked at her that way when we were kids, I swear. Trust me, how I feel about her now came as a shock to me too. It was a shock for both of us.”
“You really care about her?” Tobias asked, his voice weary.
I nodded. “Yes, I do. More than I’ve cared about any woman in my life. It feels weird for me to say that, but it’s true.”
“And it’s weird for me to hear that, but…”
“But what?”
Tobias shrugged. “I guess it could be worse.”
At this, I could only laugh. “Yeah, it could be. So thanks.”
“I mean it,” Tobias said. “It’s going to take me some time to get used to, but I know you’re a good guy. Just don’t get too comfortable. Because I’ll still kick your ass if you ever hurt her or break her heart.”
“Trust me, I know that.”
Tobias moved toward me, his hand outstretched. I clasped it, and before I knew it, we were hugging. “Sorry I went so ballistic,” he said. “I know I can’t protect her forever, but I also know I don’t have anything to worry about if she’s with you.”
“Apology accepted, man.”
We separated. “Have you heard from her lately?” Tobias asked.
I shook my head. “No. I wanted to ask you if she was all right.”
Tobias swore. “I haven’t seen her in a few days. I don’t know what the hell is going on or where she ran off to. Do you know I’ve got a few strands of gray hair now? I know she’s the reason for it.”
“Wait,” I said, “…she hadn’t been staying with you?”
“No. She packed up and left. And it’s my fault. Of course, I never would have kicked her out, but I can?
?t say I’ve been exactly hospitable to her lately.”
“I’ll help you find her.”
Tobias nodded. “Thanks. I have a feeling something isn’t right.”