AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Hi,”
“Eliza?”
“The one and only.”
“I didn’t expect you to answer.”
“Then why’d you call?” I reached for the bottle, sucking down the last few gulps.
“I can’t sleep unless I try.”
“I still sleep in your sweatshirt.”Shit. I shouldn’t have said that. I’m drunk.
“I miss you.”
I didn’t respond, too afraid to open my mouth and let other secrets spill out.
“Eliza?”
“What?” I whispered.
“I’m so sorry. Let’s work this out.”
“I’m going on the road trip.” I stood, rummaging around my backpack for another bottle. “I got a B in Algebra so I am going! I can do it solo. I sold a book! A real live book, it’s coming out tomorrow! I am doing things. I’m not a second choice, I’m not convenient. My mom is back in town.”Stop talking to Eliza. Just shut up.“I’m scared about tomorrow. You said you’d be there.”
“I know.”
“But you won’t.”
“It’s my mom’s birthday tomorrow. Eliza, I have to be there—”
“So that’s a no.”
“Eliza, you don’t understand. I fucked up and I need to do this for my parents. They bailed me out of trouble and—”
“I’m tired of being alone.” And I hung up because I sure as shit wasn’t going to shut my mouth. At least trashy TV would never leave me.
Islept horribly that night, the mix of cheap alcohol, nerves, and excitement for my road trip. I spent the following morning packing and repacking my suitcase. I’d topped off the oil in my car and even gotten my tires rotated. Sure, my little Honda wasn’t much to look at, but I was confident she would hold out on me. I packed a pair of jeans and some shorts and a few pairs of hiking shoes. I also bought a few cases of water for the car and rechecked all of my hotel bookings. I was all set. And when four o’clock rolled around, I pulled on a nice floral dress, complete with my lace-up boots, and gathered up my notecards for my little speech. I slipped out of the front door, head held high, relieved that my mother was nowhere to be seen.
I paused at the end of the drive, biting my lip and pacing. I slipped the extra ticket my publisher gave me into the mailbox. I sent a quick text to Trask.
ME: If you want to come, I put a ticket for you in my grandma’s mailbox. I’d like to see your face there.
I hit send before I could think too much on it, before I could change my mind. I wanted Trask there. I really did. And I hated that I was so weak.
And when I finally parked in that big city and walked up the steps to the biggest independent bookstore on the west coast, I could barely contain my shaking nerves. My agent ushered me in, fixing a few flyaway hairs and beaming at me. She guided me to the “green room” where I waited for the host to introduce me. It took a while, and the entire time I kept thinking how it would give Trask more time to get here.
Rosalie and Drake were supposed to be here. I’d called Rosalie twice this morning and got no answer. Texted her a ton. Nothing. So I was surprised when Drake’s name flashed across my screen.
“Hello?” I said. “Drake? Is Rosalie with you? Did she get lost?” They were supposed to be here. I wasn’t supposed to be alone right now.
“Eliza,” Drake’s normally deep voice shook. “Rosalie was attacked last night.”
“Oh my god—”
“She’s okay. She’s in the hospital. She jumped out of her fucking window. She’s okay, just in and out of consciousness right now. I wanted you to know.”
“Thank you,” I said. I knew of only one person who scared her enough to jump from a window. “Take care of her, okay? Have her call me when she can.”
