My mind reels as fear starts to take hold. I don’t know where he is or if something is wrong. After the way he was in the hospital, I can’t imagine him taking off like this.

I go to his house, and his truck isn’t there either.

Shit.

I check inside, just in case, and nothing is missing or moved. Where the hell did he go?

There’s no telling why he left like that. I call Presley, giving her the rundown of all the places Trent isn’t. Before I hang up, I let her know to tell everyone I’m headed home to wait for him and I’ll call if I find him.

All I can do now is hope for the best.

It’s been fifteen hours and no sign of Trent. I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve called him. He must’ve shut his phone off because it doesn’t even ring anymore.

I try to keep calm, but nothing makes sense. He’s changed so much over the last few months. He’s been steadfast, strong, and even with his father being sick, he’s been happy. He wouldn’t leave like this. He promised me he wouldn’t just leave like this.

I head back to the hospital, hoping maybe he’ll materialize there.

Angie walks over and embraces me. “I’m sure he’ll show up. He couldn’t go far without someone seeing him.”

“It’s been hours.” My voice trembles. “No one has heard from him?”

She shakes her head.

Mrs. Hennington comes out from the back and heads right to me. “Where’s Trent?”

I look to everyone, but Zach steps forward. “We’re not sure. He’s been gone for a while now.”

“What do you mean he’s gone?” Mrs. Hennington asks with worry laced in her voice. “Gone where?”

“I don’t know. I haven’t seen him since yesterday when he said he was goin’ to see you and Rhett,” I explain. “I’ve checked his house, the station, our place, the ranch, but I can’t find him.”

“Do you think he left?” She looks to Wyatt. “With Dad in the hospital?”

I feel hollow inside. I don’t want to believe he took off without a word. His family, me, and his friends are all mystified. I know he’s in pain, I can accept that, but this isn’t the way to handle things.

Presley puts her hand on my back while Zach starts cursing and pacing. He’s had plenty to say about what he thinks.

Wyatt grabs his phone and dials. “Listen, you selfish son of a bitch. You got two hours to get your shit straight and then I better see your ass at this hospital.”

Wyatt doesn’t run away from issues, for the most part. He’s always been the one who forces us to deal with our issues. If he finds Trent first, I have a feeling someone will have a few bruises.

“I can’t believe he’d do this with his father in the hospital. I mean, I know he can do senseless things, but this seems out of character, even for him.”

Wyatt moves forward. His hands are balled into fists and his jaw is clenched. “He’s an asshole. Always an asshole. Dad’s sick, and he’s bein’ a selfish prick.”

Angie steps over to Wyatt. “Listen, until someone talks to him, I think we should all hold our opinions to ourselves. We have no idea what’s going on. For all we know, he’s handling something we don’t know about. Did anyone talk to Hank?”

“Hank hasn’t heard from Trent, but he promises he’ll call if he shows up.”

Mrs. Hennington sits and puts her head in her hands. “What if something is wrong? What if he’s hurt? Why wouldn’t he call his family?”

Angie shrugs. “I don’t know . . . I’m just hoping for the best.”

Wyatt leans in, kisses her lips, and shakes his head. “I love you, baby, but my brother has some explaining to do. He’s not at the farm. He’s run off because shit got hard. It’s what he does.”

“Those in glass houses . . .” Angie trails off and takes his hand. “I love you, too. I would really love you more if you could get me some fries.”

He laughs and crouches in front of her belly. “You’re hungry again, little one?”

“He or she has their daddy’s appetite,” she grumbles.

“It’s a boy,” Wyatt says proudly. “I can feel it.”

Angie rolls her eyes.

“I can’t believe y’all won’t find out.” Presley shakes her head. “Mama H. and I are goin’ crazy!”

“I’m sure—” Angie grabs her belly and winces. “Damn Braxton Hicks.” She breathes through a few seconds, and Wyatt helps her to a seat.

“You need to get my daughter-in-law to her bed,” Mrs. Hennington urges. “She’s been on her feet all day . . .”

“I’m fine.” She waves her off. “I’m in the hospital so if anything happens, we’re in the best place.”

“Angie, honey.” Mrs. Hennington takes her face in her hands. “You need to take care of that baby in there.” She turns to the rest of us. “Dad has a few hours before anyone can see him. Dr. Halpern said he needs his rest. Tomorrow, we’re going to talk to the doctor again, but we’ve all been here a while, and nothing is changin’.”

“If anything changes, you’ll call, right?” Zach asks.

She gives a sad smile. “Yes, honey, no more secrets. I promise I’ll call if anything happens.”

Everyone starts to hug and say goodbye. Mrs. Hennington heads back to her husband. Zach and Presley leave. Then Wyatt and Angie are the next to go, but I just sit here. I’m not family, but I don’t want to go home.

I start to rack my brain even more about where he could be.

My phone dings with a text, and I scramble to find the small device buried in my purse.

Hank: Trent called and said he’s going to be out of work for a while. Didn’t say why or for how long, but I thought you might want to know.

Me: Thanks.

If I thought I was confused before, it’s nothing like now. I vary from hurt to anger. He’s taking time off? He called Hank but not any of his family who are all worried sick? I can’t believe he would be so heartless. Not after all his promises not to pull away from me again and all the talk about wanting to marry me. He has roots here. He wouldn’t rip them out when he needs them most.

I drop my head and let out a loud cry of frustration. “Just talk to me, I would be here for you,” I mutter as my heart aches.

“Grace?” I lift my head and wipe my tears away, not wanting to face him but knowing I have no choice.

“Cooper, hi.”

“Is he? Is everything—with Rhett?”

I stand and shake my head. “Oh, he’s fine. I mean, not fine, but he’s okay. He’s stable.”

“Then why are you out here crying?” Cooper asks.

I’m not sure what to say. My heart is broken on one end and I’m angry at myself on the other. I knew this would happen. I would go back to Trent, and he’d do the same shit like he always does. Now, Cooper stands in front of me, and I remember how dumb I am. I fooled myself into thinking this time would be different.

“Hey,” he says, and his freaking kindness is the last straw. It breaks me, and I double over, wracked with sobs. He drops to his knees in front of me and wraps his strong arms around my shoulders, holding me while I fall apart. “It’s okay, Grace.”

“No. It’s not.”

“Did something happen? Are you okay?” he asks like the good man he is.

Cooper wouldn’t do this. He wouldn’t run out without a word.

I shake my head back and forth as the tears soak his shirt. “Trent left.”

“Left?”

“He’s gone.” I pull back and try to collect myself. “He was here, then he disappeared, took time off work, but no one knows why. I don’t know . . .”

Cooper looks at me as if I’m crazy. “Seriously? I heard you guys have been great and moved in together.”

This is what has me thinking there has to be more to this. “I didn’t want to leave in case he came here . . . but I got a text from Hank, and all I know is he’s not sure when Trent will be back.”

I start to wonder if I should have stayed home. What if he packed his shit while I was here?

Cooper sits beside me and rests his elbows on his knees. “You and I both know that Trent doesn’t handle personal shit well. He’s not good at reactin’ to things when it comes to anything serious. You knew this when you chose to go back to him.”

That doesn’t excuse his behavior.

“I can’t keep doing this.” Cooper doesn’t say anything, and I instantly feel like shit. “God,” I sigh. “I’m such a bitch. I’m sittin’ here tellin’ you about this. I’m so sorry. I’m such a stupid girl.”

Cooper laughs and then takes my hand. “We’re friends. And we are much better friends now that we both know that’s all it’s going to be.” He nudges me. “But as your friend, I’m going to say something you’re not going to like.”

“Coop.”

“No, Grace, I think you need to hear it. You know this is what he does when he’s scared. He runs because emotion scares the fuck out of him. Something must’ve spooked him, and he cut tail. I don’t agree with it, but that’s who he is. For better or worse, this is how he deals with life. So, now you’ve got a choice.”