Everything except my brain.
Family.
The word keeps bouncing around inside my head.
Family.
Aliko doesn't have any family that would be here, so why would he say that? Why would he tell Mikey that the guy was family if he wasn’t?
Aliko’s family are giant kraken out in the ocean. They don’t know where he is, they don’t know he’s up here on land. And shifting for them isn’t a normal thing—Aliko does it because he has magic jewelry. Mikey said the guy he was talking to was human. None of this makes any fucking sense.
My stomach twists and I’m getting angry now.
I pull up our text thread.
Me
You alive?
Call me.
Seriously, Aliko.
I'm starting to worry.
What is going on?
Please call me.
It’s a little overboard maybe, but panic is swirling in my chest, my head is getting dizzy.
The messages sit unread.
I hate it way more than I should.
Twenty minutes ago, I was annoyed.
Then I was angry.
Now I’m teetering between pissed and fucking terrified. And every minute that passes makes it worse.
Did he leave me? Did he like… really leave me?
He wouldn’t do that. Right? No. He wouldn’t. Because why would he do it now? Like this? After all the time we’ve spent making plans for our home, our future.
Aliko wouldn’t leave me, so something is wrong.
I start walking toward the hotel because I don't know what else to do.
Every person I pass catches my attention for a split second. Every tall figure makes my heart jump before I realize it isn't him.
None of them are him.
By the time I reach the hotel, my stomach is tied into knots.
The lobby is busy. People from the show are hanging around the bar. A few fans are lingering near the elevators hoping to catch a glimpse of the band walking to their rooms. I consider asking them if they’ve seen Aliko, but what’s the point? I know the answer already. He hasn’t been here.
I glance toward the doors every few seconds as I cross the lobby.
