Page 18 of Puck Love

“Yeah, they can beassholes.”

I follow him over to the seat by the fireplace and sit. There are several other chairs here, and I’d probably be a lot more comfortable with some distance between us, but I don’t want to be rude. Besides, he brought the Cool Whip with him, and I’ll be damned if I let him eat itall.

“So, you still haven’t told me what you’re runningfrom.”

“Nothing,” I say too quickly. He gives me a look that says he isn’t buying it. “Everything. I don’t knowexactly.”

He nods like a sage. “And the panicattacks?”

“I’ve always had them. Ever since I signed my first deal. Of course, they were never this bad. I don’t really know what’s changed. I guess a sixty-city tour and back-to-back albums will do that to you. I can’t remember the last time I had a dayoff.”

“Well, I know this might sound strange, considering we only just met twenty-four hours ago when I pulled you from a frozen car, but you’re welcome to stay at Lodge Ross as long as you want. Don’t want to go back to work next week, or the week after? No problem. You take as many days as you need here. Rest, recoup, soak in the hottub.”

“I don’t have a swim-suit.”

“That’s fine. We’re not clothesistshere.”

I laugh. “You know that’s not a word,right?”

“Emmett and I will pick up some things for you as soon as the roads areclear.”

“I can’t ask you to do that. I mean, you’d be keeping it secret from the world, not to mention they’ve probably already tracked my car.” I can’t do this. I can’t hide out in a stranger’s house until I feel strong enough to go back to my everyday life.Can I? No. That’sridiculous.

There are already so many consequences to my actions. Venues that still need to be paid, even though Lana likely would have cancelled the more recent upcoming shows. I have a huge staff of road crew to take care of. Oh my god, I can’t be here. Ican’t. . .

I don’t realize I’m hyperventilating until Van lays his huge palm on my back and rubs in slowcircles.

“Hey, justbreathe.”

Heat claws at my cheeks, and I want to scratch and peel my skin away. I do as he instructs and close my eyes. Van continues the lazy circles on my back, and I feel the tension slowly drain out of me. He’s an awfully gooddistraction.

“I have someone who can get rid of your car for us at firstlight.”

I open my eyes. “I thought you said the roads wereclosed?”

He sets his mug down on the table with a waggle of his brows and stands, holding his hands out to me. “Come on. Let’s go light yourfire.”

I narrow my gaze on him, but I can’t help but feel a stupid little flutter in my lady parts as I take his warmhand.

Oh, I think it’s alreadylit.

With my hand in his, I follow him out of the room, and just like that I find myself a guest at Lodge Ross, and I’m not sure I’ll ever want toleave.