Page 65 of Puck Blocked
Iroll over and reach out for Luke. The stitches in my stomach pull, slowing my movements. When my hand lands on cold sheets, I open my eyes. He’s not here. He’s always here when I wake up. I listen for a few moments, thinking maybe he’s in the bathroom. But he’s not in there either.
Where is he?
I pull myself out of bed. My body is still a little achy first thing in the morning. Usually, the pain eases a bit once I start moving around more. I grab my robe from the hook on the back of the bathroom door and make my way downstairs.
I hear them when I reach the top landing. The voices. Aliyah and Liliana. How long have I been asleep? When I look outside, I see the sun is only just rising. It’s early, and they’re here. Something isn’t right.
I turn around, quietly shutting myself back in the bedroom. Whatever has them here, it can’t be good. No one just drops by someone’s house at this hour because they have good news to share.
Where is Luke? Is he downstairs with them?
I can’t hear any more bad news right now. I don’t want to. Especially if it’s about Luke. Oh god, what if something’s happened to him? What if Andrew found him?
I pick up my phone from the bedside table, find Luke’s number, and dial. “Tanna, you okay?” he asks as soon as the call connects.
“I… ah… I woke up and you… Why are Aliyah and Liliana in your house?”
“I had to run an errand. I’m on my way back now. I didn’t want you to wake up alone so the girls came over,” he tells me.
“You’re okay though, right? There’s nothing wrong with you?”
“I’m fine. Promise. I’ll be home in fifteen minutes. Where are you?”
“In the bedroom,” I say.
“Okay. You didn’t go downstairs?”
“I didn’t want to see anyone. I thought… Last time I woke up this early to people in my house was when Sean died… I thought that something happened to you,” I admit.
“Shit, I’m sorry, Tanna. I didn’t think… Fuck, I’m sorry I didn’t think. But I’m fine. Promise.”
“It’s stupid. I know that. I just can’t imagine losing you. I love you,” I say, clutching the phone like a lifeline.
“I love you too. I’m picking up breakfast. If you see Liam, tell him to stop eating my snacks.”
“Okay.” I laugh. Luke is very serious about his food. He always has been. “I’ll see you soon.”
Luke hangs up and I get dressed in a pair of yoga pants and a sweater, brushing the tangles out of my hair before I head downstairs. I find Aliyah and Liliana in the living room with their husbands.
“Morning.”
“Good morning. How’d you sleep?” Aliyah asks from her spot on the sofa.
“Good. I’m sorry Luke had you all come over here.” I feel slightly embarrassed as I twist the hem of my shirt.
“Oh, it’s fine. Don’t worry about it.” Liliana smiles at me.
“He’s on his way home with breakfast.” I lower myself onto the sofa before landing my glare on Liam, who’s currently shoving a handful of chips into his mouth. “And he said to tell you to stop eating his snacks.”
“But he gets all the good stuff.” Liam pouts.
Aliyah rolls her eyes. “You don’t need all that sugar in your life, Liam King. You need to stay in shape if you’re gonna be my meal ticket to an early retirement.”
“You own a hockey team, Aliyah. You can retire whenever you want,” Liam reminds her.
“My father owns a hockey team. Not me. I own a Liam King.” She smiles wide, and I watch as Liam leans in and kisses her.
“Yes, you do.”
