He laughed.
I leaned slightly toward the sound. I had known he wasn't from around here as soon as I laid eyes on him. He was dressed a little more sleek than the men from town. I wasn't at all surprised that he had said he was from NYC. And I couldn't deny that he was handsome. Even though I didn't actually want to hitchhike with him, a little flirting never hurt anyone. "Is that a yes?"
"I'm pretty sure hitchhiking is illegal."
"Not one to break the rules?"
He smiled out of the corner of his mouth. "I didn't say that."
I laughed. "Well it wouldn't be hitchhiking if we knew each other." I stuck my hand out for him. "I'm Hailey."
He stared at my hand for a second before grabbing it. "Tyler."
"Nice to meet you, Tyler. So, why exactly are you going to California?"
He scratched the back of his neck. For some reason I found it incredibly sexy. "I just needed a change," he said.
"How mysterious."
He smiled again.
"Do you have a bunch of stops planned? I've always wanted to see the Grand Canyon."
"Not really. I'm just...driving." He shrugged his shoulders.
I could tell he was running from something. He didn't need to say it.
"But if you're coming along, I guess I could make a stop there."
I smiled. He was finally flirting back. I had successfully cheered him up.
His eyes left mine.
I turned around to see that he was staring at the TV screen behind me. There was a news broadcast on about the tech mogul, James Hunter, and his new wife. He had gotten shot on their wedding night. It wasn't looking like he was going to make it. They had been reporting on it for the past several days. "It's tragic. Aren't they the sweetest couple? I really hope he pulls through."
"Yeah. Yeah, me too. I should probably get going. Could you check on my phone?"
I turned back to him. Like a switch, he looked grim again. "Yeah, sure. Let me go check."
As I walked down the hall I heard my dad coughing in his office. It probably wasn't the best time to have the conversation we needed to have. But I couldn't stand the thought of him lying to me. Just the thought made my blood boil. I needed to know why he didn't tell me about the bar failing. I needed to clear the air between us. I knocked on his door and poked my head in. "Hey, Dad."
"Hi, honey. How's business tonight?"
I bit my lip. Anna could handle everyone for a second. I stepped into his office and closed the door. "Good." I took a deep breath. "Dad, I saw the bills."
He raised his eyebrows. "What bills?"
I put my hands on my hips. "The overdue notices. The foreclosure."
His pretend shocked face disappeared. He nodded.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"I was waiting for you to finish school. I didn't want..."
"The bank is taking back the bar at the end of next month? We barely have any time to fix this. You should have told me."
"I didn't tell you because there's nothing we can do."
