Page 86 of Saving Me
I hear him typing on something in the background. “I can make Thursday work. I’ve only got a couple of clients that day and can move them around.”
“You don’t have to go. It’s a long drive and…”
“I’m going. There’s no way I’m letting you go alone, especially since no one can seemto find him.”
“I was going to wait until you got home to tell you, but one of my mom’s nurses called me today. That’s why I want to go up there and check on things.”
“What did they say?”
I nervously run a hand through my hair, knowing he won’t take this well.
“Tim found my mom somehow and caused a scene at the facility when they wouldn’t let him see her. Security had to remove him from the building. I told them to let me know if anyone tried to see my mom, so she called me to let me know.”
“Why would he want to see your mom? What could he possibly need to see her for?”
“I’m not sure. The nurse seemed to think…” I struggle with the words because I don’t want to voice what could be true.
“The nurse seemed to think what?” I can feel his tension through the phone.
“She said she seemed to think that he was looking for me. He must have been hoping to get information out of my mom about where I am since the front desk refused to give him any.”
“The fucking bastard isn’t going to sign the papers, is he? If he’s trying to find you, that means he’s not willing to let you go.” I can hear him pacing in the background as thoughts race through his mind. “The text on your birthday…he’s wanting to scare you. He’s playing these mind fuck games,” he growls out. “Are you sure this is a good time to see your mom? He was just there…maybe we should wait.”
“No, I need to get up there. I don’t like the fact that he tried to see her. He never came with me to visit her. She’s never even met him. The only time he was ever involved with her was when he came to sign papers at the new facility he put her in after we married. I need to see with my own eyes that she’s okay, and I want to talk to their security to see exactly what happened.”
“Yeah, you’re right,” he sighs. “I’m going to give Maria and the police a call today to keep them in the loop. I know they can’t do anything unless he breaks the restraining order, but they need to know he’s looking for you.”
“This is the part where I would usually run,” I laugh softly, trying to ease some of my nerves.
“And this is the part where I beg you to stay,” he says quietly.
Sighing, I look out the window and stare at the vast ocean. In the short amount of time I’ve been here, this place has become my home.He’sbecome my home.
“I’m not running, not this time,” I whisper.
I hear him let out a breath on the other end of the phone. “This will be over soon. I promise.”
I get a sick feeling deep in my stomach that I can’t shake. I know Jake will do anything to keep me safe, even if it means putting himself in danger. I can’t let that happen. If Tim is anything like that last night when I was with him, then he’s not going to let me go without a fight. I won’t let him near this family I’ve come to love. If I have to make a deal with the devil to keep them safe, then I won’t hesitate to do it.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
JAKE
Grabbing her hand tightly, I walk with her down the hallway to her mother’s room. I’ve been on edge all week since we found out he’s looking for her. The security guards have no new information and haven’t heard from him since.
I glance in the rooms as we pass by them and see patients walking around or watching TV. Hospitals have always given me the creeps, and this one is no different. It looks nice enough, but there’s something off that I can’t put my finger on.
Lyla stops when we get to her mom’s room. She hesitates before turning to me.
“I’m not sure what you will see when we walk in. Sometimes, she will talk to me, and other times, she just stares out the window. I just can’t seem to break through to her.”
“Maybe my irresistible charm will work,” I tease, wanting to make her smile.
“It worked on me, so it’s worth a shot,” she gives a sad laugh before opening the door.
It’s a small room with minimal furniture. A twin bed sits against one wall, and a small dresser on the opposite. A womanwith a touch of grey in her brunette hair sits with her back to us in an oversized chair facing the window.
I follow Lyla and sit beside her at a small round table facing her mom.
