Page 66 of Crossed Sticks

“I’m thinking exactly what you would be under the same circumstances.”

“No, I wouldn’t. Please sit down so I can explain.”

“No explanation necessary. Everything is perfectly clear.” I tossed his phone on the bed. “Goodbye, Luca.”

I turned and ran downstairs. Luca caught up and dodged around me, trying to block my way, but I gripped his arms and moved him aside.

“Coffee, Harper?” Caleb called out.

“Don’t leave.” Luca was frantic. “Please listen to me.”

My heart ached, but because of the enormous lump that had materialized in my throat, I couldn’t have said a word if I’d wanted to. I shook my head and left.

23/

luca

“What was wrong with him?”

Caleb’s question floored me, and I yelled at him. “For fuck’s sake, what the hell do you think was wrong? It looks like we’ve been fucking up there. What would Daniel have thought?”

Caleb’s cheeks went pale. “Oh shit.”

“‘Oh shit’ is right. Fuck, fuck,fuck! Why didn’t I go back down there last night?”

“Don’t panic, Luki.” He came around the counter and put a hand on my arm. “You were being considerate.”

“Was I? Any moron would know I should have gone back to my boyfriend, especially since I’d told him I would.” My heart thundered in my chest, and I was practically screaming. “Didn’t you see his face? I hurt him, Cale.”

“Give him some time, and then go explain. I’ll come along and help.”

“Time, my fucking ass.” I turned on my heels and ran after Harper.

His apartment door was closed, and I cursed when I realized I’d left my keys upstairs. He didn’t answer when I knocked, so I started pounding on the door. “Harper! Harp!” Still no answer.To hell with it; I’d kick the fucking thing in if I had to. “Answer the goddamn door, Harp.”

Panic roared through me, threatening to blow the top of my head off.He had on sweatpants and a shirt. Did he leave?I ran to the elevator, and when it didn’t open fast enough, I rushed to the stairwell and didn’t slow down until I reached the parking garage.

“Harper!” I raced to his space, only to find it empty. Gasping for air, I grabbed a post beside it to keep myself upright. The run shouldn’t have worn me out so much, but my heart was going so fast I was about to drop. My head spun as I slid down the post and landed on the floor.

“Goddamn fuck!” The garage mocked me with distorted echoes as I reached for my phone, but it wasn’t there. A ridiculous succession of thoughts tore through me. Was it illegal to run around in public wearing only boxers? Why had I never thought of having my car fob implanted under my skin? And if Caleb threw my keys and phone out a window, could I catch them?

If I’d eaten anything, I’d have surely lost it on the garage floor. Acid poured into my stomach as I realized I’d be lucky if Harper ever spoke to me again.

Torn between sobbing and screaming in frustration, but too short of breath to do either, I went to the elevator and pressed the call button. On the way to the fourth floor, I came up with a plan: call Harp, and if he didn’t answer, go find him.

Caleb had put on gym shorts and a sweatshirt. He should have done that before he came downstairs to begin with, but pointing that out would be a waste of air.

He offered me a mug of coffee, which I refused.

“Did you find him?” he asked.

“No. His SUV’s gone, so who knows where he is.”

“Like I said before, let him cool off, and then we’ll talk to him.”

“You don’t know shit, Caleb. I’m going to get my phone.”

I ran upstairs, and as soon as the phone was in my hands, I tried to call Harp. He didn’t pick up, so I typed in a message.

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