Chapter Eighteen
“So, then, it’s true. You kissed her at the wedding.”
Fuck.
Eric rose to his feet, wanting to come clean, but knowing in his gut something wasn’t right with Hannah.
Time to follow the icon on the app.
“Hannah was supposed to be here with me. We were going to tell you together. But—”
“You son of a bitch. I need to move on. Let her go.” James threw Eric’s words back at him bitterly. “Clearly, so one of my best friends could get a chance to make a move on her.”
“It wasn’t like that,” Eric rasped. “I’ll explain everything, but I can’t right now. Hannah might be in trouble.”
Thankfully, they hadn’t ordered anything, so he didn’t need to worry about money. He turned and strode outside to his car while dialing Hannah’s number.
It rang until it went to voicemail.
“How is Hannah in trouble?” James jogged after him. “If she’s in danger, I’m coming with you.”
“You don’t need to.”
James grabbed his shoulder and forcefully stopped him, spinning him around. The anger and betrayal in his friend’s eyes hit him in the gut. James’s free fist was balled at his side.
Eric braced for it. “If you’re going to hit me, let’s get it over with so I can go find Hannah.”
“I’m not going to hit you.” James’s laugh was harsh. “For fuck’s sake, you’re a triple black belt in Taekwondo. Let’s be real about who’d win that fight.”
Eric’s mouth slashed into a grim line because where was the lie?
“Whatever my beef is with you right now, Hannah takes priority. I’m coming with you and don’t even fucking try to stop me.” James released him and climbed into the passenger seat.
Eric eased behind the wheel, reluctantly grateful to have his friend’s help.
“Is it that parent you were telling me about? The one you were protecting her from?”
“It might be. I don’t know.” Eric thrust his phone at his friend. “You want to help? Look at this app and tell me where she ends up. We’ll follow her.”
“You guys track each other?”
Eric shot him a don’t even try me look.
“Head north on 99 for a few minutes. Looks like she’s heading toward the lake.” James was quiet for a moment, then added, “There’s no relative in Vegas, is there? You’ve been at her place?”
No more lies.
“Yes, I’ve been with her keeping her safe.”
James went still and exhaled loudly. “So, are you just sleeping with her? Or is it serious?”
Trust his friend to get right to the point.
“It’s serious.” Eric paused. “We never planned for any of this to happen.”
“Didn’t you? You sure about that?” The laugh James gave was harsh. “I think back on all the barbecues. How you guys were hanging out half the time—”
“Because you fucking ignored her. I was being nice, for God’s sake.”