Chapter 38
“Really?” Kate said, her eyes lighting up with excitement. “I’ve been thinking about the Grand Canyon first. The views are just stunning around this time of year.”
The Grand Canyon, huh?
Shawn’s mind flickered.
Why did that place sound so familiar?
Oh, right. Allison had mentioned it once. She’d talked about planning to visit during the holidays. What was it he had said back then? Something about the crowds and how it wouldn’t be any fun.
Now, with the holidays upon them, Shawn felt an urge to say no. But thoughts of Allison made him pause and reconsider.
“Sure, let’s hit the Grand Canyon.”
After a bit of TV time with Kate, Shawn still couldn’t shake that restless feeling.
“You just got out of the hospital. Take it easy and rest up. I need to step out for a bit.”
Kate was understanding and didn’t push for details. She knew he was still adjusting to the breakup with Allison and needed space to sort through his thoughts. She smiled warmly, “Alright, you go ahead. I’ll be right here.”
Once outside, Shawn dialed up Jayden.
“Hey Jay, let’s grab a drink. Get Colt and the guys, too.”
They met up at a swanky club Shawn often hit up. Walking into the private room, he found his buddies already waiting.
Colt greeted him with a grin, “Shawn, flying solo? Where’s Kate?”
Shawn looked puzzled, “Why would she be with me?”
“Uh…” Colt was caught off guard.
Before Colt could cook up an answer, Shawn dropped a surprise.
“My girlfriend is Allison. Why aren’t you asking about her?”
Colt was taken aback.
“Seriously, Shawn? Ever since Kate came back, she’s been right besides you. Why are you suddenly talking about Allison? Didn’t you say she was boring?”
Shawn’s expression shifted to something more complicated. He couldn’t argue with that.
Jayden quickly jumped in to change the subject.
“Shawn, you’ve been MIA lately. What’s up?”
Shawn sauntered over to the sofa, flopping down and lighting a cigarette. “Kate was laid up in the hospital for a few days, so I stayed with her.”
Jayden’s eyebrows shot up. “Shawn, didn’t you just say Allison’s your girlfriend? You’ve been holed up at the hospital with Kate and Allison didn’t flip out?”
Shawn’s mood darkened.
Not only had Allison flipped out, but she also wanted to break up with him!
Shawn thought about it and took a long drag on his cigarette. “Yeah, she’s calling it quits.”
Uh–oh…
The guys exchanged looks, realizing they’d hit a nerve.
Colt chuckled, “Allison breaking up with you? You’re probably the best she’ll ever find. I’m betting she’ll be back in ten days.*
“Totally, Allison’s head over heels for you. We’ve all seen it these past three years. I give it eight days.”
‘She’s just throwing a fit, waiting for you to make it up to her. Two weeks tops before she’s back, begging to patch things up.”
Hearing their reassurances, Shawn’s tense face relaxed a bit.
He took a sip of his drink, his tone dismissive. “Would I make up with her? Not happening.”
Then Jayden, with a hint of hesitation, asked, “What if… she doesn’t come back?”
That question threw Shawn for a loop.
What if Allison really didn’t come back? What would he do then?
He hadn’t thought that far ahead.
