Page 19 of Crimson Promises
“No. I’ll be okay, and if I need anything or if I want to come home, I promise you will be my first phone call.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.” I walked towards him and lay my hand down atop his. “Thank you for staying with me.”
“Anything for you, honey.” He slipped his hand from mine and put them in his pockets. Craning his head, he quickly glanced around the apartment. It was airy. I picked furniture in light tones, neutrals, and plenty of whites with black accents. I wasn’t finished yet, but it was starting to feel like home. “You’ve done a great job with the place so far. Mom would be proud to see the woman you have grown into.”
I tried to swallow down the knot in my throat. “Thanks, Dad. I hope so.”
“I should probably head home. I gotta give Uncle Rick a run for his money.” He leaned forward to plant a kiss on my forehead. “Be safe, and call if you need anything. Anything at all.”
“Will do. Love you, Dad.” I couldn’t resist slipping my arms around his body. His waist felt narrower. Now that I thought about it, I don’t think he ate much at the hospital. Being there probably brought up tough memories of Mom. My anger instantly melted away. He was doing what he thought was suitable to protect me. I can’t imagine what it would feel like for him to get a phone call like that.
“Love you more.” He stepped back, ruffled my hair, and headed towards the door. At the doorknob, he paused. “I want to hear you lock this before I leave.”
Once he left, I slid each of the three locks into place. He knocked once to let me know he was heading out. Alone again. If it was what I wanted, why did I feel this emptiness settle inside my stomach and worm its way through my veins? I had no one to come home to, no best friend to confide in. My heart cracked. I wish my mom were here. I imagined she would have had the right words to say in times like these, to help soothe the tide of emotions storming through me.
* * *
A few hours later, I was finished and put away my laundry, and cuddled in bed, swaddled like a burrito in my covers, scrolling through Netflix. Nothing was on. I groaned. When wasBridgertoncoming back?
My eyes drifted to the phone I had left on the opposite side of the bed. I surveyed the room as if someone was going to catch me doing something I shouldn’t be doing. Before I could stop myself, I scrolled to ‘R’ and brought up Riley’s name. I quickly typed up a text and hit send, immediately burrowing my face into the pillow. All I said was, ‘Hello’. How lame was that?
Riley: Hi, stranger. It’s been a while.
Formal response. A little distant.
Aurora: Sorry about the other night.
Riley: Don’t worry about it. Not a big deal. Next time, though, it would be nice to let someone know you aren’t going to show up instead of making them wait like an idiot.
He thinks I blew him off. Understandable.
Aurora: It wasn’t intentional. Truly. I was on my way to meet you when I got into a car accident.
The three dots appeared and then disappeared. I rubbed my feet together. Why is he taking so long to answer?
Riley: Seriously?
Aurora: Yeah. I just got home from the hospital a few hours ago.
Riley: Are you okay?
Aurora: A little banged and bruised but nothing some rest and Tylenol 3 can’t cure.
Riley: LOL
I blew out a breath. Here goes nothing.
Aurora: When I’m feeling better, I’d like to make it up to you.
Riley: Yeah?
Aurora: Yeah.
Riley: How are you planning on making it up to me?
Aurora: Another coffee? (Insert grimacing emoji face)
