Silenced 2: The Overtaking (Silenced Series) by RaeBeth McGee-Buda Page A

back to the present.
    “ Hello.” Patrick says, answering his phone.
    From the sounds of the conversation, I c an tell that it’s Stacey, and she isn’t happy that Patrick didn’t tell her about his off-the-wall trip. Which, in my opinion, he should have, especially if things were going as great as he claims. His conversation started out calm and ends with him yelling into his phone.
    I glance at Casey. I can tell by the sound of Patrick’s voice, he isn’t happy. I want to see if she notices it too. By her returned look, I know she does.
    After Patrick h angs up, Landon quietly asks Patrick what’s going on.
    “ She’s upset because I didn’t tell her I was leaving. I told her why we’re going down. She said she’s in disbelief about Amber not calling and telling her about what happened. By the time we got off the phone, she was crying because she feels left out. I think she needs to grow up because she’s acting immature.” Patrick says in a low whisper.
    I guess they think we can’t hear them talking. But I’m not the only one who heard the conversation.
    “ We’ve been on the road for an hour and already someone’s upset. This is supposed to be my support. I can’t have anyone upset. I understand that you, Pat, are having a hard time with Stacey at the moment. I know we’ve had several talks about this.” I say looking in the rear view mirror at Pat.
    “ Amber, we don’t need to get into this now.” Patrick says trying to stop me before I say anything else. Boy is he wrong!
    “ Actually, I think we need to talk now. Quite frankly, I’m tired of being in the middle, and my work name is not cupid. I no longer want to be the person who sits back and listens to how much you two miss each other. I’m not a shrink, and I will not listen to either of you again. Now, talk.” I demand with a bit of detestation.
    A s I finish, Casey looks back at Patrick with surprise on her face. “You still care for me?”
    I c an tell Patrick didn’t know what to say. All of this came as a surprise, because he looks totally clueless. I honestly think he should tell her the truth. I don’t want it to be going on during this trip. My main concern is clearing the so called air between them, so they can focus on the cause of this trip, and not them.
    “ Yes, I care for you, but I care for Stacey too. I don’t usually broadcast what’s going on in my life, but I guess it’s all in the open now.” Patrick says and glances at me. I can tell he’s pissed I started this, but I don’t care.
    I c an see that Casey’s touched. I know she thinks Patrick doesn’t think of her as a friend. She told me the last time we talked. I know his accident made him realize life could be over in an instant, and all the things that should’ve been said, may not be said. When you have something to say, do it. Do it at that moment, and not a moment later. The time is always right, and waiting for the right moment is overrated. If only he would follow his own words of advice.
    Landon and I listen while Patrick weigh s his pros and cons out loud. Casey sits in the front seat with surprise and hurt in her eyes. This isn’t the way I meant for him to do it. Gosh, guys are so stupid when it comes to love. I know what I have to do before Casey starts crying.
    “ I think by the way this conversation is going it’s best to take a break on it. I’m hungry, and these snacks aren’t doing it for me. I need something warm.” I blurt out, cutting Patrick off.
    “ Where do you want to eat?” Landon asks.
    It takes me a few minutes to think of a place. I take the next exit off the interstate. Fast food doesn’t sound very good. I don’t agree with it, because the food normally doesn’t agree with me. I decide to eat at a restaurant none of us had eaten at before.
    “ We’ll order when we come back.” Casey says, grabbing my arm and pulling me in the direction of the woman’s restroom.“I can’t believe he said that in the open. He