Page 39 of Shattered Hearts

Sadie gives a small exhale, and my hand continues to hover, waiting for him to call a third time.

Only, he doesn’t.

After what feels like minutes, my hand falls to Freddie’s back, his purring increasing in volume, vibrating softly against my legs as my gaze lifts to my cousin’s confused one.

“Why didn’t you answer it?”

All I can do is shake my head. My tongue seems to be stuck to the roof of my mouth, unable to move on its own. And I think my lips have been glued together, because they’re not peeling apart as I stare at her, a little wide eyed.

Sadie looks between me and the phone that remains lifeless on the table before reaching over and picking it up. “You’re going to call him.”

“No.” My voice is hoarse.

Her head tilts, eyebrows kitting together as bile rises in the back of my throat.

“No?” she echoes, slightly startled.

I force myself to swallow, eyes dropping to my phone she has outstretched to me. All I can do is shake my head.

Sadie sighs. “Laynie, you wanted him to contact you, and now he has—”

“What if he says no?” Her eyebrows rise, but I don’t give her time to continue. “What if he tells me he wants nothing to do with this, and I’m just… alone?”

Her face falters, along with my galloping pulse that’s pounding through my ears. Sadie is silent for a long minute, and each passing second feels like a lifetime as my mind continues to race uncontrollably with the numerous excuses Scott could give me. He’s too busy, or not interested, or wants to forget about it all, or maybe he’s—

“You won’t know that until you talk with him.” Sadie’s voice interrupts my thoughts, which I’m both annoyed and grateful for.

Pushing the phone closer, my eyes fall to it. My hand makes zero effort to grab it. I think my brain has lost all control of my body again, because I feel numb all over.

The quietness that stretches between us is deafening. Each heartbeat rattles me as if I’m made of loose screws.

Isn’t it funny that I have been waiting for him to call me all this time, and now that the time has arrived, I couldn’t think of anything worse. I’m about to change his life, and I’m fairly certain it won’t be for the better...

A small noise escapes my throat as I reach out, taking my phone from Sadie’s hand. It feels cold and heavier than I’m familiar with. Unlocking, I give myself a few seconds to stare at the missed calls. I need my pulse to be somewhat settled as I do this. Bitter bile stings the back of my throat, and I blink slowly, pushing away the sensation.

The screen changes to Scott’s name for a third time.

Blanching, I almost drop the phone and nearly reject the call in the process. Securing it in my hand, I ignore the anxiety creeping through me like gnats.

Swallowing, I answer, the phone pressed to my ear, the device shaking along with the rest of me. His cautious voice floods my ear.

“Hi, Laynie.”

Chapter Sixteen

Laynie

Scott’s voice sounds tired and rushed. Maybe he thinks this will be a short call?

Well, jokes on him. I’m about to drop an absolute bo―

“Is this a bad time to call?”

“No!” I squeak out like a mouse. I feel sick to my stomach. The blood drains from my face, sweat instantly sticks to my skin. Sadie’s hand reaches over to grasp my free hand. It’s exactly what I need as I feel the anxiety swallowing me and all sense of control ebbs away.

He gives a small huff, making my extremities tingle uncomfortably. “So, did you call me to tell me that you miss me?”

I inaudibly cringe, eyelids pressing shut as I shake my head. “No—”