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If my ex has really found me, I could run to Rob, and no doubt he would protect me. But he has his own family to protect. Dragging him into my mess might mean I’ll be the person who ruins his life instead of mending his wound. Rob might’ve saved me from the first date thief, but Aidan Rolland is something else. Rob doesn’t deserve to face that evil man’s wrath.
My flattened heart is yearning for him. I wish he was here to plump it to life, and then melt it with his charm and vulnerability. But until I know more about Aidan’s whereabouts and find out how much my ex knows about Amber-Rose, I have to keep my feet dry for Rob’s sake.
13
ROB
“I’m ready,” says Matty, standing in his uniform. It’s the start of his second month back at school, and he has adjusted wonderfully to life as an elementary student.
“You’re early.”
“What are you making me?” My little brother watches me slicing some chicken I prepared last night.
“Garlic-ginger chicken with egg tortellini.”
“It smells good. No cake?”
“That’s a surprise. Turn around.” I go back to the fridge and take out a slice of strawberry cheesecake, Matty’s favorite. “Alright, you can look now,” I say after I close his lunchbox. “Put it in your bag.”
“We need to call Amber.”
My heart leaps for joy at hearing her name, but Matty’s statement makes no sense. “Why?”
“Bjork’s ribbon is loose.”
I cock my head. “I can fix a ribbon.”
“No you can’t.”
“Yes I can.”
“No you can’t.”
“Show me.”
Matty freezes.
“Come on, show me Bjork.”
He slowly makes his way to his room, and then looks at me gleefully. There’s nothing wrong with the bear, not even his ribbon.
“Can we ask Amber to come again?” Matty says.
“She’s busy, and she’s not in LA.”
This month without her has been unexpectedly hellish, and I haven’t found a good excuse to visit her. I feel like an empty vessel, desperately seeking her affection and thoughtfulness to fill the void—something that my life has never come across before. In the process, she’s turned me into an addict, and there’s no cure for it. Either I rush to her side, or I forget about her.
I wish Matty hadn’t mentioned her name this morning, but it’s too late.
I haven’t been with anyone since my breakup with Lina. Spending time with Amber-Rose was like drinking fresh coconut water after being stranded out at sea for months.
“Come on, let’s go,” I say and usher Matty to the car.
He settles himself in his seat. “I liked her. She made me feel important.”
“What does that mean?”
“Important, like… like I’m important,” my little brother tries to explain, to no avail. But I get it. “Lina liked to kiss you and stuff, but she never really talked to me.”
