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Chapter Fourteen
Blinking,I realize it’s still dark out—too fucking early. My body and brain are beat from the last few days. I haven’t had a decent night of sleep since Thursday. Though, knowing Lilly gets the rest she needs is all I care about.
God, I’m tired.
My eyelids sag again. Turning over, I expect to find Lilly’s sleeping body, but instead, my hands touch only the cold, empty sheets. I shove my face into the pillow she slept on not too long ago and inhale deeply. Her scent of vanilla and coconut lingers in the fabric. A picture of her lying on her side, one hand tucked under her cheek, smiling back at me, forms in my mind. I can't wait until I can let my hands roam again, hug her sexy body to mine without the fear of causing her pain. Every time I see the healing burns on her back, the adrenaline coursing through me makes me all twitchy. I have to fight the urge to punch someone—or something, since the person responsible is unavailable.
I lift my head and glance over my shoulder. The bathroom door is open, and the light is off.
After shifting around to push myself up and lean against the headboard, I dig the heels of my hands into my eyes. Waaake uuup.
A buzzing sound comes from the nightstand, and I pull my hands away from my face. A text message lights up my phone. I glance at the alarm clock. It’s not even six.
No one texts me that early unless— My heart stutters a beat, and I stare at the device.
When it lights up again with the repeat notification, it’s like it’s taunting me. I can’t move. Lilly is not in bed with me. It’s too early for anyone but two people to message. Lilly is not here.
Two minutes later, the third alert makes my phone move across the wooden surface once more. Why the hell did I set the damn thing to three alerts? Oh right, because pussy-whipped me doesn’t want to miss a text from his girlfriend.
The illumination of the screen appears like stadium lighting to my heightened senses.
My heart rate has already doubled, but I can’t stall any longer. Seeing my hand tremble in the dim light, I reach over, pick up my phone, and tap the screen with my thumb. UNKNOWN.
Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!
I want to chuck the device but, instead, clench my fingers around it.
I don't understand. He hasn't used this caller ID since...before. Whenever he had contacted me directly, he’d make sure to be extra obnoxious and use "PSYCHO."
I slide my legs off the side of the bed and sit with both hands now clutching the phone. My stomach churns as I tap the screen once more—yup, still there. UNKNOWN. I swallow over the lump in my throat and swipe the message open.
My Rhys. My best friend. My love.
By the time you read this, I’ll be on my way. There are no words to describe how sorry and heartbroken I am.
I thought I was doing the right thing by coming back. That I could find the answers to my questions while being in Westbridge—while being with you—and move on at the same time. And in the end, once everything is over, for him to be able to take responsibility. But all I have done is bring misery and pain to you, our family, and it is only a matter of time before Wes and Denielle will be part of the crossfire.
None of you should have to go through this because of my lie. I asked too much of you by keeping my secret and protecting him for me.
I promise you, I tried to stay. I really did. But between the media camping out in front of the house, the potential lawsuits against you and our parents, Katherine targeting me, Natty being bullied in school, and now Turner following her, I couldn't risk it any longer. There are too many odds against us, and I would never forgive myself if something happened to any of you.
None of this changes my feelings for you. You are and will always be the love of my life, and I hope with time, you will understand and forgive me. I want nothing more than to build a future with you, but for that, I have to say goodbye to the past and make sure the demons hiding in the dark are no longer following me to find my starlight.
I’m getting poetic, and you can probably guess what’s been on repeat on my playlist as I’m writing this.
I’m sending messages to Heather and Tristen, as well as Den and Wes. Please don’t worry about me. I’m going to make sure you have a way of getting in touch with me—if you want to. He promised he would set everything up, and I will contact you as soon as I can. I’m safe with both of them.
I love you more than life.
Calla
Readingthe message two more times, it finally sinks in. She went back to Nate. George picked her up. He fucking picked her up in the dead of night. Motherfucker!
I glance around.
Lilly is gone. Again.
I’m numb.
