Page 65 of Keeping Promises

“Sure, one moment.”

The line rings. The longer it goes unanswered, the tighter the grip around my heart squeezes.

“Come on, Asher, pick up the phone,” I whisper to no one in particular.

Just as I’m about to hang up and try again, someone picks up.

There is a throat-clearing first that doesn’t sound like him. “He-hello,” a voice that doesn’t belong to Asher says. And even though it’s scratchy, probably half-asleep, there’s no denying that it’s female.

They must have connected me to the wrong room.Yep, that’s it.

I redial the number and ask again to be connected to Asher’s room. I pace back and forth as conversation goes on behind me between Brynn and Lexi. The phone rings again.

“Pick up the phone, damnit.” This time I say it louder as if he will somehow hear my voice from across town.

The same female voice answers. “Hello? Can I help you?”

My fingers can’t move fast enough to end the call, and I drop the phone. My vision blurs, and my heart feels like it’s about to beat right out of my chest and land on the floor, ready for some animal to snatch it and run away.

That voice. I know that voice. I hear that voice saying those same words multiple times a day.

“Hadley? Hadley, what’s going on? Talk to us.”

I look up with tears flooding my eyes to find Brynn directly in front of me, her hands cupping my cheeks.

Behind her, I see Lexi’s face contorted in frustration as she holds her phone to her ear, I assume talking to Ben, but who knows. I don’t know anything anymore.

“Brynn, give me your phone,” I command.

“Sweetie, I don’t know if that’s such a good idea.”

“Just give it to me,” I shout.

She looks back to Lexi for reassurance, and she gives a small nod. Even if she hadn’t, I’d just take it; I need answers. I replay the video for what feels like the hundredth time, inspecting anything and everything I can that can confirm my biggest fears. When I pause on the screen with the perfect still shot of the back of the unidentified female, it hits me. It’s her. I’d know those highlights anywhere—hell, I did those highlights.

“Zoe.”

“The girl from the salon?”

“Yes, it’s her. I know it’s her.”

“What would she be doing there?”

I shrug. Is this happening right now?Not only is he with someone else, but it’s someone I know and someone I trusted. I feel like the biggest fool.

My legs buckle, and thanks to Brynn’s quick reflexes, she catches me in her arms before calling out to Lexi. Lex ends her call abruptly and rushes to her aid.

“Okay, we’ve got you. Let’s get her to the couch,” Lexi instructs in a soothing tone.

With arms wrapped around me, they lead me into the living room and settle me onto the couch.

Lexi rubs my back in a circular motion. “Okay, take some deep breaths for me.”

“Let me go fix you a cup of tea.” Brynn rises and disappears into the kitchen.

I cling to Lexi and cry. “Why would he do this? Why?”

My hand cups my stomach as my baby girl chooses that time to kick, alerting me she is now awake. I struggle to catch my breath. It’s not only me this affects. What about our baby girl?

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