Page 82 of Bleeding Hearts

BETHANY:

I don’t know when I’ll be back.

BETHANY:

Don’t call. I won’t be able to answer.

BETHANY:

I love you.

BETHANY:

I’m sorry.

What the fuck?

I jump out of bed and rush down the stairs with the phone still in my hand. Ignoring her order, I dial her number, only to hear the familiar beep of voicemail. Once I’m across the street, I pound on her front door, but no one answers. Which means I have to run back across the street and grab my keys and then run back and try not to panic.

Too late, I’m in full on panic mode.

With the door open and the alarm disarmed, I yell, “Bethany!” My voice echoes in the silent house. “Bethany, what do you mean you’re leaving?”

No one responds. The house is eerily quiet.

My feet take the stairs two at a time, and I throw open Felix’s door first. His bed is empty and unmade. Which is why I step through the connecting bathroom and into Finn’s room. His bedis also empty, and it looks like he was in a hurry to get out of here. His drawers are all open and mostly empty.

What the fuck?

Did she really just leave? Take the boys and leave all because she was freaked out because I wanted us to move in together.

I don’t have time to sort this out, not this morning.

Locking the house up tight, I punch in my sister’s number and feel bad to be calling so early.

“Hey, do you know what time it is?”

“I’m sorry. I need you to watch the girls.” With every passing second, my anger intensifies as I walk across the street. “If you can’t, I understand. But I think it’s best if we just plan on it being you again. Please don’t ask why. I don’t have an answer for that. I just need your help.”

“Bring them over. You can explain later.” Cora yawns. “I was up anyway.”

“Thanks. Once you get settled, the girls and I will come by and watch Stormy. Let you and Geoff have a date night.” Closing my door, I head straight for the kitchen. I need coffee.

“Sounds good. I’ll see you soon.”

I tell her goodbye and drop my phone on the counter. Coffee in hand, I inhale deeply and reread Bethany’s messages.

Something’s off. I can’t put my finger on it. All I see is red.

Before I lose my shit, I fire off a text.

ME:

I don’t know what the fuck is going on. But I need answers, and I need them now.

After hitting send, I wake the girls to get them going. There’s no telling if, or when, she’ll respond. All I know is that I need answers before the hole in my chest starts bleeding again.

Chapter 38

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