Page 53 of Infinite
Because he can’t take a hint. Because he thinks he can save me or whatever. “He has his out, I wish he would take it.”
“It sounds like he’s worried and he loves you,” Cat jumps in.
Jackson nods in agreement. “He called everyone, and it’s been a bit of a panic.”
“Gretchen sent me a text about an hour after you arrived, and I let her know you were okay.”
I groan and look up. “So, everyone knows I’m here?”
Catherine rolls her eyes. “No one knew where the hell you went, only that you took off in the middle of the night. Gretchen was a mess, so was everyone else. In case you forgot, a few months ago, we had a friend go missing.”
“I didn’t forget. I was there for it all.”
“Yes, and so you should understand more than anyone why this would kind of raise some red flags.”
I start to cry again. The emotions of the last twenty-four hours have drained me completely. “I’m sorry!”
“Ashton,” Catherine’s voice sounds like it’s about to crack, “please don’t cry.”
Jackson clears his throat. “Why don’t I take Erin out for a walk and some sun? Maybe you girls could use some time to watch movies and cry?”
“You just put her down.” I weep.
“She’s not asleep yet, it’s fine.” Jackson looks as though he’s ready to grab the baby and run out the door.
Catherine smiles, and I turn away, feeling awful. “That sounds great, babe. Thank you.”
“You have no idea how lucky you are,” I tell her.
Catherine’s eyes fill with sadness. “I’m well aware of the kind of man I have. It’s you who doesn’t know what you walked away from.”
No, I know what I lost, someone equally as wonderful as Jackson.
* * *
“Do I wake her?” Catherine’s voice sounds worried.
I roll over and look at the clock. It’s one in the afternoon. I’ve been here three days and haven’t really moved much. I got up this morning to eat since Catherine was hovering over my bed.
Fuck it all is my new motto.
I thought I could walk away and figure out a way to go back to nothing . . . that was a myth.
In fact, everything sucks and hurts more, so I stay in bed, crying and hating everything.
“Ashton?” She peeks her head in the door. “Are you awake?”
“No.”
“Well, asleep people don’t talk.”
I groan and roll over.
“You need to get up. Gretchen and I think you’ve sulked enough.”
“Good for you both.”
She huffs and opens the blinds. “It’ll be good for you too. You smell, you haven’t eaten much, and I’m worried you’re trying to somehow kill yourself.”
