I began shaking.
I picked up a small picture frame with a photo in it. A photo of Ethan and me. He must have sprayed the inside of the box with his cologne because now the house smelled just like him. Under the picture frame was a small piece of paper that read “I miss you, Rae. I'll see you soon.” written in his handwriting.
I dropped the frame and the glass shattered. I threw the note back in the box like it was on fire and backed away while staring at it, all the way to the couch. I pulled my knees up and hugged them, still not taking my eyes off the box.
He knew where I lived.
Chapter 19
Caleb
“Hey, buddy, she shouldbe here any minute,” I told Duke as we sat on the front porch. Duke had taken to Rae immediately when she was here the other night.
I checked my phone and realized there were no camera notifications saying she'd left her house yet, just the ones from her bringing packages in before she sent me the photo. I opened the camera and saw her car still in the driveway. Weird.
I called her, but it went straight to voicemail, so I texted her.
Caleb: Hey Sunshine, just checking in to see if you're okay. Duke and I are really looking forward to spending the day with you.
Minutes passed. Nothing. No little text bubbles. She hadn't even opened the text.
“Hey Duke, you want to go for a ride?”
Duke's ears immediately perked up and he bolted towards the truck.
I grabbed my keys and locked the house up, then got in and drove to Rae's house.I have to make sure my girl is okay.
“Rae? Hey, Rae! It'sCaleb. Are you home, Sunshine?” I knocked twice while calling out for her.
No answer. The only sounds I heard were the birds in the tree in her front yard and the wind chime on the neighbor’s porch.
“Come on, honey, are you home? I'm worried. I just want to know you're safe.” My voice sounded more panicked than I meant it to sound. Duke stood at my feet, panting because he was feeding off my stress. I felt bad, but he would be better with me than at home.
Just as I was about to text her again, the blinds moved and, a few seconds later, the door cracked open. Through the slit of the open door, I saw her puffy eyes and her skin looked extremely pale.
“Hey, can I come in?”
