AllFreeNovel
Share Us
My heart warms when bubbles immediately appear.
Gabe: What?! You’re back in the Big D? Let’s meet up for drinks tonight. I have so much shit to tell you.
Me: I would love to, but I’m so tired I can barely keep my eyes open. We’ll go out for dinner and drinks after work one day next week. And, I think I have you beat. I have so much to tell you, it’s not even funny.
I hate lying to Gabe, but I’m also not about to tell him over text that I’m planning to stay the night with Elliot's brother.
Gabe: Yeah, I know. I knew something was up Elliot when called me.
Um… What?
Me: What? He called you??
Gabe: Yes, that’s why I’ve been trying to get a hold of you. He called me in a panic, begging me to ask you to call him.
My God, I never imagined Elliot would act this desperate. I didn’t think his pride would let him stoop this low.
Me: Ugh. If he calls you again, just ignore him.
Gabe: What the hell happened? It must be bad if you won’t even call him back.
Me: Yeah, it’s not good. Like I said, I have a lot to tell you.
Gabe: Ugh, the anticipation is killing me.
Me: You’ll survive. Lol I have to go, trying to get out of the airport. Talk to you soon!
Gabe: Don’t get run over in the pick-up line. Let me know if you change your mind about drinks. Catch you on the flip side!
I chuckle at his sassiness, scrolling down to tap on Everett’s name. My breath hitches when I open our messages.
The last text I received from Everett was him wishing me a safe flight. That was over two hours ago. My heart races as I recall him promising that he would update me each hour. I try not to freak out as I check my missed calls and voicemails.
There’s nothing from Everett.
Not a single text, missed call, or voicemail. I run my hand through my hair as I tap on his contact and press call.
My throat starts to close up when the call goes straight to voicemail.
He’s okay,I tell myself.Maybe his charger broke and he’s stopping to buy a new one. Maybe he’s in a bad area and lost service. Maybe he stopped to help someone with a flat tire. He’ll be calling me any second now. He has to. He promised.
I close my eyes, exhaling a shaky breath as I say a silent prayer. Like clockwork, my phone vibrates in my hand, the screen lighting up with a call.
“Thank God,” I whisper, peeling my eyes open.
My stomach drops to the pit of my stomach in disappointment when the name flashing across isn't his. It’s Claire, Elliot’s mother.
I immediately know that something is wrong. I can just feel it in my bones. She never just calls me to have girl talk, so I know she’s reaching out for one of two reasons. She’s either calling on behalf of Elliot or something is seriously wrong. I close my eyes, praying that it’s not the latter.
“Hello,” I answer on the third ring, my voice shaking.
“Oh, honey,” she exhales, sounding like she’s been holding her breath for minutes. “Thank God you answered. Where are you? Are you okay?”
My stomach turns. Why is she asking me if I’m okay? Why would I not be okay?
“Yes, I’m fine. I just landed at the airport in Dallas.”
All I hear is heavy breathing, like she’s trying to calm herself down.
