Page 95 of Beautiful Crazy

Just then my phone dings in my hand with an incoming text.

Graham:What’s up with Emily?

“Shit.” And this is how the panic starts. “Dammit, Lacey.”

Me:Nothing is wrong with Emily.

“I mean something is clearly wrong…I just haven’t figured it out yet.”

My phone dings again from a number I don’t recognize.

Unknown:Emily’s fine. She’s safe. She just needs a break.

“What the fuck?”

Me:Who the hell is this? Your number isn’t in my phone.

Unknown:It’s April.

“Christ. Why didn’t I think about her best friend? Of course, she would know.” Rather than text back and forth, I hit the number from the text message and call April.

“Hey Emmett.”

“April, where is she? Where did she go?”

She sighs on her end of the line. “Honestly, I don’t know.”

“What the hell do you mean you don’t know?” My heart rate picks up and there’s an uneasy feeling in my chest.

“I mean I don’t know. She texted me and said she was going out of town and asked me to text you around six o’clock to let you know she was safe.”

“Did she go home to Bardstown? Is she with her parents?”

“She wouldn’t tell me where she was going, Emmett. I think she knew I wouldn’t be able to keep it from you.”

“Well,” I whine. “I mean, is she coming back? What about her stuff? What about Lola? What about…” My breath hitches and for the first time I feel like I could cry. “What about us?”

There’s silence on the other end of the line. “I wish I could tell you more, Emmett. I really do, but that’s all she told me. She just needs a break. But she’s safe. You don’t have to worry.”

“Like hell, I don’t have to worry. I’m in love with her, April. Of course, I’m going to worry about her.”

“Just give her some time, Emmett. She loves you too. I know she does. I’m sure this will all work itself out and whatever it is, you’ll be laughing about it soon.”

“Yeah.” I nod. “Yeah, okay. Just…if she calls you or texts…”

“I’ll let you know if I hear anything.”

“Thanks April.”

“Sure.”

I don’t even say goodbye. I just hang up, holding my phone to my chest, where it dings in my hand again.

Beckham:What’s going on? Is Emily okay?

Asher:Did I miss something?

Me:Emily left me.

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