Page 64 of Closing the Distance

I turn around and walk down the hall, back toward the side door, my bodyguard once again at my side although I didn’t notice him join me at first.

“Is Blaire in her classroom?”

“Yes, ma’am,” he replies, his eyes scanning the hallways as we move.

I’ll text her when we’re in the car. I don’t want to stay in this building any longer than I have to. Another layer is added to my sadness knowing what was once a happy place for me now is not. It’s just another place I’ve lost.

I brush away a stray tear and close my eyes for a second, hoping to push any other tears back. When I open them, I halt in my tracks. Ty is standing in front of me, his face as weary as mine looked in the mirror this morning. There are also deep bags under his eyes, and his hair is a crazy mess. His clothes are wrinkled, but it’s his eyes that have my heart aching.

Love, concern, longing, and fear are all wrapped up together and shining through the eyes that just yesterday morning brought me so much comfort.

“I hope you don’t mind I’m here,” he says, his voice hoarse. “Blaire called me, and I rushed right over.” He steps closer like he can’t keep himself away from me any longer. “I’m so sorry, Lexi. I willfix this. Please come home with me.”

His gaze drops to my stomach, and the relief that fills his eyes has my heart clenching painfully in my chest. Is he really worried about me or is it just the baby?

Does it matter anymore? I can’t stay with Blaire because eventually the press will figure out where I am, and I won’t bring this madness to her house.

“Okay,” I say.

His eyes perk up. “Okay?”

I nod and then walk back toward the side door, which Blaire must’ve told him about since he’s parked next to the car we came in this morning. I get inside and look out the window as we drive away from my school, feeling like I’ve just lost another piece of myself and not knowing if anything will be left of me when all’s said and done.

THIRTY-SIX

When Blaire called me this morning, I was so grateful I’d given her my number in case there was ever an emergency when she was with Lexi. The bodyguard did his job, and I’m thankful for him too, but I need to get my girl home where I know she’s safe from the madness.

I glance over at her sitting in the passenger seat, her hands cradling her baby bump, and her vacant eyes staring out the passenger-side window. The corners of her lips are pulled down in a frown, and as I watch her, a small tear streaks silently down her face. She doesn’t brush it away. She doesn’t move at all.

I grip the steering wheel tight in my hands. I slept like shit last night without her while also trying to figure out how to fix this. I have a few ideas, but I don’t know if she’ll be on board with any of them.

The easiest solution would be to pull out the ring that’s been taunting me from my underwear drawer and get down on one knee. But I haven’t been holding on to it for two months just for her to think I’m proposing as a solution to a problem instead of the real reason—that I can’t fucking breathe without her.

“Are you cold at all?”

No response.

“Hungry?”

Nothing.

I switch on the radio to her favorite station, but that doesn’t elicit the smile it usually does. Instead of pushing her, I drive silently all the way home as my brain goes a hundred miles per hour with things I need to do to make sure she’s safe until we get this under control.

I haven’t even had a chance to ask her what happened when she was at school. Blaire told me about the reception they received when they arrived, and I knew Lexi had been in a meeting with her principal, but I don’t know what was said. Based on Lexi’s vacant look, I’m guessing it didn’t go well. She looks like all the fight has been zapped right out of her.

When I pull up to the house, I park and run around to her side, opening her door for her and coaxing her out of the car. My chest aches at the despondent look on her face and the bags under her eyes that match mine. Did she get any sleep last night? When was the last time she ate?

My gaze drops to where she protectively cradles her belly, and I know the only way I’m going to convince her to take care of herself is to remind her that she’s taking care of our little girl too. She loves our baby so much. It might be the only way to get through to her.

She sits heavily on the closest chair to the door, and I squat down in front of her. When she continues to stare at her hands in her lap, I lift her chin, forcing her usually vibrant blue eyes that are now dull and tired to meet mine.

“Precious. You have to eat and then get some rest. If not for yourself, then for our baby. She needs her mama to stay strong right now.” I place my hand on her bump, feeling our little girl give a strong kick. In the darkness of the last twenty-four hours, feeling her sweet kick brings a smile to my face.

I glance up at Lexi, knowing she felt it too, only for my stomach to sink as pain seems to streak across her face. “What’s wrong? Is it the baby?”

She bites her bottom lip and breaks our gaze, shaking her head. I feel like I’ve been doused with cold water. Something just happened, but I’m not sure what.

“Lexi?”

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