Page 76 of Come Apart

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Samantha looks at me with concern. "Is everything okay?"

"Yeah." The screen is still empty. "It should be."

I stare at the phone. Alyssa isn't a huge fan of technology. It's possible she has her phone off, that she broke it and can't be bothered to fix it, that she's out and she just forgot it.

But I sent that first text hours ago.

My shoulders tense.

A hint of irritation enters Samantha's voice. "It doesn't seem okay."

I shake my head. I need to give Alyssa a little more time. "It should be."

She nods, but she keeps one eye on me as she takes her turn. "Alyssa?"

I nod.

"What is happening with Alyssa?"

I pick up my card and stare at it. "Don't worry about it." This card is not what I want. I don't know what to do with it.

Samantha frowns, but she says nothing until I finish my turn. Then she picks up a card and declares her victory.

She wins again. Truth be told, I let her win.

I ignore my phone for the next two rounds. Until it's nearly five. Until this damn phone is burning a hole in my brain.

This isn't like Alyssa.

But I pick up my card. I stare at it the way I always do, with my best poker face.

But then I throw it down.

Fuck me, I have to call.

I stand.

"I'm going to call Alyssa."

Samantha stares at me like I'm an idiot. "Finally! I'd like to get your attention back." I press the phone between my palms and make my way to the empty study.

It's a dark room in warm shades of auburn and brown. The kind of room that radiates wealth and prestige.

I dial Alyssa. The phone rings. It rings again. It rings straight to voice mail.

My shoulders tense. This is not good. But I won't jump to conclusions. I try again.

But again, the phone rings straight to voice mail.

I send a text.

Give me a call when you get this. I want to hear your voice.

It's probably okay. It's probably nothing.

But, just in case it's not, I call Laurie.

The phone rings straight to voice mail. "You've reached Laurie House. Please leave a message."

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