Page 10 of Infinite
It’s like we’re little girls on a sleepover instead of her trying to protect and watch over me. So many times throughout our lives, I was the one lying with her, trying to soothe her agony. My childhood was filled with joy and love. My parents were my safe haven whereas Catherine’s father broke her heart more times than she could count. I wonder if that’s why her adult life has been fantastic and mine hasn’t been. Am I being punished? Is this some sort of quota for happiness I filled and God is trying to cash in my chips?
We face each other, and I see the tears well in her eyes.
“Please don’t start crying,” I beg her.
“I was so scared. I seriously didn’t know if you were going to make it through the surgery. I don’t know if you understand how bad it could’ve been.”
I close my eyes, shoving down the emotions that are trying to claw their way up. “It couldn’t be much worse than this, Cat.”
Her fingers touch my cheek, pushing my hair back. “I know you feel that way, and I would too, but you could’ve died, Ashy.”
A part of me did.
“I’m still alive, but we don’t know about Quinn.”
“Jackson will find him.”
I wish I had blind faith like that. My eyes drift closed again, and everything becomes a little heavy.
I’m tired.
I want answers, and I want his arms around me, holding me together. We’ve lost something so precious that we’ll never get the chance to have again, and I can’t bear the weight of it alone. Quinn and I will never have a child. While he may not have wanted children, there was no denying his excitement about this baby.
Then I remember he bought a ring. He was going to propose to me. We were going to be a family. Everything was perfect and now it’s all ruined.
As I slip into the dark, I note the tear that runs down my face. I guess my walls weren’t as high as I thought.
4
Ashton
“I’m losing my fucking mind!” I scream at Mark and Jackson. “You said you’d find him! You two made him go out there and spy onyourfamily!” My finger jabs into Jackson’s chest. “It has beensixdays,and we are no closer to finding him! How much more do you think I can take? How much longer before I lose it?”
It’s taking every ounce of energy I have to be standing in front of him, but I’m done lying in bed and waiting. It’s been almost a week, and we’re no closer than the day I woke up to this nightmare.
I’m running on pure rage.
I’ve had enough.
I want Quinn back. Now.
“I know you’re frustrated—believe me, I am too.”
“I don’t care if you’re frustrated. I need him! I need him to come home, and I need him alive. Every day is . . .” I start to sink because I’m so weak.
Having Quinn be missing for six days has felt like an eternity. Plus, I’m still recovering. I lost a lot of blood, and while the transfusion and few days of rest have helped, I’m nowhere close to being healed. The more stress I put on myself, the longer it will take for my body to heal.
Rage may have been driving me, but it can’t hold me up.
Catherine’s arms wrap around me, and she pulls me to the couch. “I know you’re upset, but no one is giving up. You need to rest, Ashton.”
I shake my head. “I’ll rest when you find him.” My gaze moves to Mark and Jackson. “Find him now. He didn’t just disappear. He’s not a ghost or anything like that.”
Shame fills Jackson’s eyes. “We’re working another lead.”
“A lead? And you didn’t tell me?”
Mark walks over and squats in front of me. “Listen, Red, we’re not telling you anything until there’s something to tell. I’m not going to make you crazy by informing you of every tip because it’s not going to help you when we follow it and it’s a dead end.”
