Page 8 of Runaway Road (Runaway 1)

I scoffed. “I hadn’t planned on it.”

“Good. Because he called me yesterday.”

“What?” I tensed. “Why? What did he want?”

“To find you.”

I rolled my eyes. “Well, tough shit.”

“There’s, uh . . . something else.” She paused. “It’s not good. Want me to tell you? Or not?”

Not. Whatever was happening with Thomas wasn’t going to change anything. I wasn’t going back.

He’d stifled me, something I was coming to realize the farther I got from Boston. He didn’t care about my ideas or feelings because he was the business mogul and I was only the poor girl he’d turned into a princess.

He couldn’t fathom I’d leave his riches because of a silly office affair.

No, I didn’t want to know.

Gemma knew I didn’t want anything to do with him. So why even bring up his call? Was Thomas sick or something? Was he hurt? Was he in trouble?

“Tell me.” Damn you, curiosity.

“It’s, um, Secretary.”

I cringed. Neither Gemma nor I would speak the woman’s name. That bitch had sat across from me for months, smiling and pretending to be a friend while secretly fucking my husband. Maybe he had actually fired her.

“She’s pregnant.”

The phone fell from my ear, the black plastic crashing into the wall beneath the booth. The cord swung back and forth like a man hanging from a noose. Kind of like my marriage.

Dead.

“Londyn!” Gemma’s voice yelled into the phone, forcing me to pick it back up.

“I’m here.” I cleared my throat. “That’s what he called to tell you? Why?” Hadn’t he hurt me enough? Why couldn’t he leave me alone in my ignorance?

Gemma sighed. “He wanted you to know in case you decided to come back.”

“I’ll never come back.” Not now.

“I’m sorry,” Gemma whispered. “I shouldn’t have told you.”

“No, I’m glad you told me. I wanted to know. It doesn’t change anything. Did he say anything else?”

“Only that he’s worried about you.”

“Well, he’s got other things to worry about now.” Like dealing with the doctor who’d performed his vasectomy. “I’m going to let you go. I’m sure you’re busy.”

“I shouldn’t have told you,” she muttered. “Will you call me again soon?”

“Sure.” I didn’t mean it as a lie, but it felt like one. I couldn’t imagine not talking to Gemma, but one call and I’d been yanked back into the life I’d just left. Maybe temporarily cutting ties with her for a while would be best. I’d call again, just not as soon as she probably assumed.

“Take care of yourself,” she said.

“Bye.” I set the phone in its silver cradle.

There were two more quarters in my pocket, enough for another call. I stood staring at the keypad on the phone. Should I call Thomas? The urge to scream and yell bubbled up in my chest and my fingers brushed the phone.