Page 67 of Giddy-Up
So why is he still calling me?
Despite his messages that she’d already memorised, she still didn’t understand.The day after she’d returned home, she’d ignored his call.The next day, she ignored two calls.The day after that, she hit decline three times.Then the messages started.Not in an obsessive stalkerish way or anything.He’d only send her one a day and he was giving off a ‘I’m here for you’ vibe not a ‘I know where you live’, call the police kind of vibe.
On the first day his message was:When you’re ready, we need to talk, petal.
The second day, he said:I hope you’re okay.And your mom is okay.I’m here if you need anything, baby.
And on the third day, it was:Thinking about you, Riley.Please call if you need me.
Then today’s message had thrown her through a loop.Unlike the others, it had arrived first thing in the morning.Also, unlike the others, it got straight to the point.And she had no idea what to do or how to feel.
Wade: I love you, Riley.I told you I’d fight to keep you.So you need to know that I’m not giving up on you or on us.
She didn’t get it.He wanted to keep her so what did that mean—they’d do long distance?How long would that last?With the ranch, it’s not like he could just up and move to Silver Valley.So everything hung on her shoulders; when she’d be able to move back, when her mom no longer needed her.That could be months.Or years.And that wasn’t fair on either of them.
While she was struggling with that, he’d decided to confuse her even more by sending a second message.
Wade: I’ve sent you something, it should arrive today.
What had he sent her?And why was she itching to run home to see if it’d arrived?
“Riley!”Her mother scowled.“Are you listening to me?”
Obviously not.
When she remained quiet, her mom went on.“I said...what do you think of this one?”
Her mother waved her hand down the length of the tall spruce she stood next to.It looked like all the others.Which is why Riley simply shrugged.
Her mother tutted and stormed off.Apparently, she wasn’t a fan of her non-committal shrug.Oh well.With her mom out of sight, Riley pulled out her phone again to read Wade’s messages.
Just one more time.
***
Riley’s heart was poundingso hard she could’ve sworn she could hear it.Her hands were shaking, so was the piece of paper she’d been staring at for at least ten minutes.
They’d returned home with the underwhelming Christmas tree an hour ago, to the sight of Wade’s package on her parent’s porch.She’d wanted to tear into it straight away, but as usual her parents had other ideas and made sure to keep her busy.Once they were distracted, she’d snuck off.
Looking down at the touch bracelet on her lap, she gulped.She’d heard of them before but never seen one.They were big with long distance couples.If you pressed a button on yours, then your partner’s bracelet would vibrate and vice versa.It was to let each other know you were thinking about them.Wade being Wade, she knew it wasn’t just for that though.It was for her anxiety too.Every time Riley got anxious her thumb went to her wrist, and she rubbed.A coping technique she’d learned long ago.But when she was with Wade, she didn’t need to do it as often, because he made her feel safe.A fact she’d shared with him one night as she lay in his arms.
Her eyes quickly darted back to the note it had arrived with and her chest tightened.
I’m only a touch away, petal.Always.
He was killing her.
