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Her phones rings and I see JJ’s name on the screen. She ignores the call and dumps it into her purse.
“You should go. I’ll be fine and I’ll let you know where I end up.”
She hugs me and as I wrap my arms around her, I slide the envelope back into her purse. I appreciate the gesture but it’s not in me to take it. It’s about time I make it on my own.
“Can I ask one thing?”
She nods as she pulls away but keeps hold of my arms.
“Will you let whoever looks after Rayna know that when she can’t sleep and plays up, to play one of the videos of her mom. She settles straight down and falls asleep. And when she’s scared in a storm, all they need to do is lie with her and stroke her hair.”
Her eyes pinch in the corners, and she purse her lips before saying, “It’s a damn shame Leo can’t get his act together. You’re perfect for them.”
They say death is the hardest goodbye but saying your farewells to the people still around is harder. Once she’s gone, I curl up on the bed and stain the pillow with huge tears.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Leo
Standing under a bus shelter, I will the rain to fuck off. I’m not far from town but the torrential downpour made the roads too dangerous to ride. Lighting a smoke, my phone rings and I answer to hear my mom’s voice on the line.
“What’s up?” I ask.
“Nothing much. Just wondering when Holly’s picking up Rayna. She told your dad she would and we’re heading to the club. We wanted to know if we should take her with us.”
“What are you talking about? I didn’t know you were having Ray today.”
“Holly dropped her off this morning. She didn’t tell you?”
My heart pounds in my chest. This isn’t good.
“No.”
“Dad said you were with Luca. Are you still in Dog City?”
Sucking on the cigarette, I inhale and blow out the smoke as I say, “I’m on my way back now. I pulled over ’cause of the rain.”
“Good, it’s better to be safe than dead. What shall we do with Rayna?”
“Take her with you. I’ll pick her up when I get back.”
“What about Holly? Her phone goes straight through to voicemail.”
“I’ll deal with her.”
“Okay, see you soon. Ride safe.” She ends the call and I swing my fist and smash it into the plastic fucking shelter.
She’s gone.
I know it. I feel it in not only in my bones, but in my soul.
I should’ve called or gone home. I should’ve done something and now it’s too late.
Drawing on the cigarette so hard I drain half the thing, I blow out the smoke and step out into the rain to calm down. My chest tightens, and it’s the same pain I felt after India. I can’t lose Holly too. I knew it hours ago and I did nothing. I should’ve seen this coming. No good woman sticks around to take blow after blow.
My damn phone rings again and this time it’s Harper blowing up my phone.
Answering, I press the thing to my ear and get in there first, “I can’t really talk right now.”
