Page 69 of Fragile Heart

“Come on, Holly. Please. You’ve helped me before.”

“That’s when I thought you were decent. Turns out you’re just a liar.”

I slam my hands on the counter, which I’m sure causes every person in this place to look over at us if they weren’t already. “Goddamn it. I did it for her.”

She puts her hands over her heart to mock me. “Aw, how self-sacrificing! You broke her heart for her own good? That was so sweet of you.” Her words are dripping with sarcasm, and it’s making my blood boil even though I know I deserve it.

Jake stands up. “Hey man, I think you need to go.”

“I didn’t ask for your opinion,” I snap.

He stands a little straighter. “Holly asked you to leave, so leave now before I call the cops.”

I laugh. And it’s not a funny laugh. It’s an ‘I’m losing my mind’ kind of laugh. I shake my head at Holly before leaving.

My driver is long gone by now, which is fine. It’s a short walk to Quinn’s apartment anyway. I’m reeling over the scene at the diner, but I will myself to calm down by the time I get to her door.

I knock. No answer.

I knock again and again and again.

Nothing.

Then in a move that shows how crazy I’m feeling, I put my ear to the door and listen for any movement inside her apartment. Not a sound.

I finally pull out my phone and call her. Not surprisingly, she doesn’t answer. I leave her a voicemail letting her know I’d like to talk to her. I wait a few minutes and text her when she doesn’t call back.

Hudson: where are you?

Hudson: can we talk pls?

Hudson: I’m so sorry. Please call me.

I text over and over and get no response. I don’t know what else to do. I don’t know where else to look. I’m sure by now, the gossip has spread through town about what happened at the diner, so I’m positive no one in town would help me.

I wait around for another hour before I finally give in and head back to my house. But I’m not giving up. I’m going to keep trying every day until she agrees to talk to me. I can’t lose her.

I can’t.

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