The sun is just setting when I turn my car toward Tanner’s house, but suddenly, the front, left side sags, and I hear an awful flapping sound.
I ease the car to the side of the road, and when I climb out, I scowl at the flat tire.
“Damn it.” I kick it, then reach for my phone, but I don’t have any service, and I’m definitely not currently on Wi-Fi. Ireallyneed to get my phone figured out. “At least I’m not far from home.”
I’ve already been on my feet most of the day, and they’re not happy with me, but the walk doesn’t take long, and when I’m safely in Tanner’s house, he turns to look at me and frowns.
“I didn’t hear your car.”
“That’s because I had a flat tire, and I had to abandon it.” I blow out a breath. “Can I please borrow your phone so I can call Wolfe and ask him to tow it?”
“How did you get home?”
“I walked.”
His eyes narrow now, and he leans closer, as if he didn’t hear me. “I’m sorry, what?”
“I walked, Tanner. It’s fine.I’mfine. I just need to have my car towed.”
“No, it’s not fine, Sarah. We agreed that you wouldn’t be alone until we figure out who’s been breaking into your place.”
“What was I supposed to do, wait in my car until someone came to find me? It was less than a mile, and it’s not dark yet. I’m fine.”
“We’re fixing your phone situation first thing tomorrow morning.”
“I have to work.”
“You need a phone,” he counters. His voice is calm, but his eyes arenot. “This is a safety issue now. So, we’ll go to Newport and figure it out tomorrow.”
“I don’t remember you being this bossy and controlling when I was in high school.”
He doesn’t answer me. With his eyes pinned to mine, he taps his phone and presses it to his ear. “Hey, Wolfe. Sarah had a flat tire and needs a tow. Do you have a company you use for that? Great. Yeah, she’s home now, but the car is parked on the side of the road. Where is it?” he asks me.
“On the corner of Seaside Lane, not too far from Huckleberry Delight.”
Tanner relays the information. “Great. Thank you. Just let me know how much it is. Talk to you later.”
He ends the call, and I just stand here and stare at him.
“I should have been the one to do that. It’smycar.”
Tanner sits on the couch and leans forward, his elbows braced on his knees.
“I’m so angry right now,” he begins, his voice a study in controlled fury, “you might want to watch yourself.”
“What, exactly, are you angry about, Tanner? I couldn’t just sit in my car. I’d rather walk home than back to Gordy’s.”
“Something could happen to you.” He swallows hard, and his jaw tightens. “And that’s not acceptable.”
I straddle his lap and frame his face in my hands. “I’mfine.I’m not hurt. Flat tires just happen, you know? Maybe I drove over a nail, or maybe the tire just needs to be replaced. It doesn’t mean that someone booby-trapped it.”
“You don’t know that.”
“You’re becoming paranoid,” I inform him as I lean in to brush his lips softly with my own. “I’m okay. I promise.”
His arms loop around me now, almost desperately, and he hugs me close, burying his face in my breasts and holding on tightly.
“There have been too many shitty things happening lately,” he says at last. “Just humor me and take the morning off so we can handle your phone.”