Page 85 of Chasing Blue
I took my UGGs off earlier and now have my bare toes buried in the sand as I sip on the second of my drinks and watch a family walk along the water’s edge.
The mum has a newborn in a sling across her chest while, who I assume is the dad, has a toddler on his shoulders.
The little girl’s arms and legs kick and flail in protest, her voice hidden by the sound of the wind and waves, but I can guess what she’s complaining about when her dad swings her off his shoulders and carries her out to meet the incoming tide, letting her dip just the very tips of her toes into the water. Her little legs pump, and she throws her head back in what I can’t decide is either joy or the shock of the cool water hitting her feet.
I smile as her protests start over when her dad puts her back on his shoulders, and she cries like her heart is breaking.
If only that was the biggest disappointment she’ll ever have to face. If only life could stay that simple.
I do my best to fight off the pain that pierces right through to my very soul when the man puts his arm around the woman’s shoulder and pulls her in for a kiss before they both stand and stare out at the waves, ignoring their daughter’s protests.
The horrible knot I’ve had in my stomach since Friday night when Matt threw the punch that sent Jack to the floor pulls tighter, and I have to fight the nausea that tightening sensation creates.
It’s a sensation I’m too familiar with, and I’ve often wondered about the scientific reason behind it. I wonder what causes that knotted, nauseous feeling in the pit of your stomach when you’re stressed?
I let out a deep sigh as I continue to watch the family make their way along the beach.
That’s all I’ve ever wanted, something that simple. To have a man who wants to walk on the beach with me as the sun goes down, a man who’s happy with just that, even if I can’t give him the kids to complete the perfect scene, a man who would still just wantme, a man I would be enough for.
Before I can drown any deeper in my pity party, my phone rings from the pocket of my hoodie, and I pull it out to see it’s ‘Mike The Cop’ calling.
“Hey,” I answer.
“Hey, Scarlett. Mike Edmonds. How are you?”
“Not bad, Mike,” I lie. “What can I do for you?”
“Just wanted to make you aware that we still haven’t tracked Newcombe down. We have officers outside his apartment building as well as yours, but so far, he’s managed to elude us.”
“Okay, thanks for letting me know. I’m currently up in Northern New South Wales, so if he’s looking for me, he’s not going to find me at my place.”
“Ah, okay. I didn’t know that.”
I don’t want to go into the details of why I’m up here, so I don’t comment further. Mike continues after a beat. “Even though you’re all the way up there until we can catch up with him, it might not be a bad thing to still be aware of your surroundings and keep yourself safe.”
“I’ll be sure to do that,” I tell him. Warmth fills my chest at his genuine concern. “And thank you. Thanks for checking in and keeping me updated.”
“No worries,” he adds after clearing his throat. “You stay safe up there, and we’ll do what we can down here.”
“Thanks, much appreciated.”
The instant I end the call, my scalp prickles, meaning I feel him before he slides silently down to sit on the sand next to me.
CHAPTER19
Jack.
Before taking off,I called my brother Nate and asked if he’d pick me up from the airport. Like my dad, he’s a no-nonsense, uncomplicated type of bloke, and simply asked what time I was due to land without asking why I was flying up.
My sports bag had been too large to carry on, so I’d had to check it. Thankfully, the airport is literally like landing in your living room, and I don’t have to wait too long for it to arrive on the carousel.
When I step out into the humid evening air, Nate’s truck swings into a pickup spot right in front of me. I throw my bag into the back and climb into the passenger seat.
“Great fucking service,” I tell my brother as we move in for hugs and back slaps, the blokey kind, obviously.
“You good?” Nate asks as he looks over my face, knowing full well there’s a reason behind my impromptu visit.
“Nah.”
