Page 63 of Connected By Stars
Shit. I’m too drunk to be having this conversation right now. The words are blurring together and not making sense. I put my hand on the counter to stop the spins. It’s always someone’s guess when they can’t find me. Mav’s off fucking someone. Why would anyone think differently?
It’s what I do.
It’s who I am.
It’s all I’m good at.
I get my thumbs to work and tell her what she wants to hear.
Maverick
Yeah, you guessed it. I’ll be home at some point. No need to worry.
I see three dots immediately appear.
Sophia
Next time, let someone know, okay? You had us worried to death.
I give her a thumbs-up and drop my phone back on the counter. Ignoring the water next to me, I grab the tequila instead and make my way to the couch. Taking another long pull, Ihappily accept the burn once again. I set the bottle on the coffee table before my head falls back, and I succumb to the darkness once again.
Fuck,my head hurts. I squint as the sunlight shines through the windows on my face. Putting my arm over my eyes, I groan at the simple movement as pain shoots through my head. Maybe tequila wasn’t the brightest idea to deal with my freak-out. And that’s exactly what it was, one big fucking freak-out. Fear and doubts came crashing down on me so hard that I lost it.
I force myself to get off the couch, wincing when my head gets another stab to the brain. I head to the bathroom before downing a glass of water. Picking up my phone, I see the last text Bell sent on my notifications.
Bell
GO TO HELL.
What the fuck? I reread it again, hoping it will make sense this time. I scroll up and see her texts apologizing to me for not telling me she was a virgin and that the night of the reception meant everything to her, and she doesn’t regret it for a second. A few more begging me to text her back because she’s worried about me. And then the last one.GO TO HELL.
Is she pissed at me for not texting her back? I check my other messages and notice I texted Sophia last night. I reread our conversation and slam the phone down on the counter.
“Fuck!” I pull my hands through my hair and start to pace. I told Sophia I was with someone last night. Bell must think I left her and went straight to someone else. What the fuck was I thinking? I clearly had a self-pity party last night and made more of a mess of the situation than it already was. I’ve got to talk to her and explain.
I pick up my phone and call her, and it goes straight to voicemail. I send her a text and wait for a reply. Glancing at the clock, I see it’s after eight. Sophia will already be at school. I straighten the couch and throw away the empty tequila bottle making a mental note to replace it for Noah and Emma. I make sure everything is locked up before getting in my Jeep and heading to the girls’ apartment. I need to talk to her and explain that I wasn’t with anyone. My heart painfully beats against my chest at the thought of her thinking I just fucked her and went on to the next girl.
I make it to their apartment in record time and bang on the door. When there’s no answer, I glance at the parking lot and realize Bell’s jeep is gone. Wanting to make sure, I dig my keys out of my pocket and use the one I have. I walk through the living room and kitchen and make my way to Bell’s room. The door is open, and the bed is unmade. Clothes are thrown about like she was in a hurry.
I get out my phone and text Sophia.
Maverick
Hey, I’m trying to get ahold of Bell for work. She’s not answering. I stopped by the apartment, and she’s not home. Do you know where she is?
I hold my breath as I wait for a response.
Sophia
She left early this morning. She had a job up north that popped up. She’ll be back in a couple of days.
She left. I know with absolute certainty it wasn’t because of a job. She left because of me. I take a painful breath of air, mylungs filling like they can’t get enough oxygen. I type out a response.
Maverick
Thanks. I’ll keep trying her. She’s probably working and can’t answer.
I see her texting back.
