Fight Like You've Never Lost (Summer Lake #14) - S.J. McCoy Page 0,1
time there was zero chance of seeing her in the flesh. Whenever he came here, he tormented himself with the possibility of running into her, lying awake at night reliving the memories they’d made here.
He’d seen her a couple years back—not here, but at Dan’s wedding. He blew out a sigh and picked up his pace. That had almost killed him. In the weeks leading up to that weekend in Vegas, he’d played out every conceivable scenario in his mind, imagining all the ways it might go. At least, he thought he’d examined all the possibilities. He hadn’t expected the way it played out, though. He’d expected anger, animosity. He’d thought she might ignore him, freeze him out, but no, it’d been so much worse than that. She’d been indifferent. He let out a short laugh.
Anyone who knew her would forgive him for not expecting that. Indifferent was not a word anyone would associate with Leanne. She wasn’t indifferent about anything. She was a passionate woman in every sense. She loved hard and she hated even harder. He should know—he’d been on the receiving end of the entire spectrum of her passions, from love to hate, heaven to hell and back again. More than once.
He reached the gate and looked around. Hopefully, the flight wouldn’t be too full. He took a seat opposite the big window looking out onto the tarmac and sipped his coffee. Most people believe that the opposite of love is hate. Ryan knew better. His relationship with Leanne had taught him just how fine the line between love and hate really was. They weren’t opposites; they were two sides of the same coin. That weekend in Vegas for Dan’s wedding, Leanne had taught him that the true opposite of love was indifference, and it had almost killed him.
~ ~ ~
Leanne emerged from the ladies’ room and checked her watch. They should be boarding any minute. She pulled her phone out and dialed Dan’s number.
“Hi, Lee. Is everything okay?”
“Yep. Great. I should be boarding in a minute. I wanted to check with you about the rental car.”
“What about it?” Dan sounded edgy, which wasn’t like him. He must be busy.
“You said you’d send me the confirmation and you haven’t. It’s fine if you forgot to book me one. I’ll let Karen know to get one arranged while I’m in the air.”
“No! There’s no need. It’ll be fine.”
“Okay. Will you email me the confirmation, then? I don’t even know which company you booked.”
“I’ll take care of it.”
“Thanks. Is everything okay?”
“All’s well here. Is everything okay with you?”
She pursed her lips. If anyone understood how much seeing Ryan had shaken her, Dan would. But telling him would only drag it out. She needed to forget about it, forget him. She forced herself to smile, knowing that Dan would hear it in her voice. “I’m fine. I’m disappointed in you though, Danny. You could have sent the jet for me. Flying commercial is a pain in the ass.”
She expected him to laugh and tell her to get over herself. Instead, he sounded wary. “I’m sorry, Lee. I …”
She laughed. “Come on, Dan. I’m messing with you. I’m not that much of a diva.”
He chuckled.
“Hey! I’m not. I just like to play one sometimes.”
“I know. And I’m sorry. I would have sent someone for you, but …”
“It’s not a problem. I’m just bitching. You know what I’m like.”
Dan didn’t reply.
“Are you busy? Do I need to shut up and leave you to it?”
“No. It’s not that.”
The way he said it made her wonder what it was then. Dan wasn’t much of a talker, but she could tell there was something off with him.
She looked up when the gate agent announced that they’d be starting boarding in a few minutes. “That’s my call. I’ll see you when I get there. Or will I? Will I see you tonight or at the office tomorrow?”
“How about you call me when you get to town?”
“Okay. Are you sure everything’s okay, Dan?”
“I am. See you later, Lee.”
“See ya, and don’t forget to send me that confirmation email. I don’t want to have to hitchhike up to your lake.” She ended the call and checked her emails before going to join the line to board.
~ ~ ~
Ryan threw his empty coffee cup in the recycling bin and went to join the line. It felt good to be going home. It made him smile to even think of the place that way—home. He’d never had one of those.