I think back on our friendship. The fun times we’ve had are the first to come to mind, but that’s not all it’s been. Tanner and I have seen each other through hard times too. I don’t know why I’m so quick to discredit what I’ve been to him when, if it’s anything like what he’s been to me, means so much more than anyone else could understand.

“Crap,” I mutter under my breath and sit forward.

“Uh-oh. What now?”

“I’ve got to go back.”

“That a girl! Don’t let Tara, or anyone else, speak for Tanner. Keep me posted. I’m stopping at the next exit to eat and wait out the storm. Go get your man.”

I drop my phone and lean forward. “Allyson, I—”

“On it.” She pulls a sharp U-turn that sends me back against my seat. The rain has definitely picked up here and traffic is slow.

My phone buzzes next to me. Tanner’s name lights up my screen with a text, Babe, where are you?

He’s called a half-dozen times, but I needed to clear my head before I talked to him. Can I really tell him why I left? I don’t know what to do, but I can’t believe I was stupid enough to leave. Who’s the one avoiding conflict now? I don’t respond. I’ll know what to say when I see him. Or at least that’s my hope.

“Good luck,” Allyson says as she pulls up in front of the house.

“Thank you.” I hurry out of the car. A heavy sheet of rain makes it nearly impossible to see more than a foot in front of me. I navigate to the front door and shake off under the overhang. I’m positive I look a mess, but I’m back and I’m not leaving until Tanner knows exactly what he means to me.

I’m not sure what scene I expected to walk into, but Tara, Corinne, and Amelia sitting together in the living room was not it. Tara has the gall to look surprised I’m back.

I bypass them completely and hurry to the bedroom.

“Where is Tanner?” I ask as I backtrack to the living room. I’m dripping on the floor and the blast of air conditioning makes me shiver.

“He went after you,” Tara says dryly.

“After me where?”

“We thought you went back to Valley,” Corinne says.

I groan at my own stupidity for sending him on a freaking rat race and pull out my phone. The last time he called, Tanner left a message. I listen as I turn my back to the girls.