Page 165 of Chasing Infinity

Ever since my father paid me a visit, I’ve been barely able to keep ahold of the anxiety bubbling inside me. After hearing what Charlie told me today, I’m losing that battle even further. All I know is that I feel unmoored, and even the slightest wind or aggravation could send me into a downward spiral.

It’s one thing to be able to face my foes when I have the necessary resources, but an entirely different thing to face them, knowing that I have nothing. That I am nothing. It’s something I’m going not to have to come to terms with, but it still stings.

All that matters is that Addison is safe, and even though I may not have the FBI behind me currently, I’ll still do whatever it takes to ensure my father doesn’t get to her. It’s too easy for me to get lost in thewhat-ifs.

A hollow feeling forms in my gut as my mind flashes to past cases I’ve worked on. It was easy to compartmentalize the horrific details when I was alone, away from home and from Parks. But now that I’m back and the risk of all I could lose is staring at me right in the face, it’s becoming more and more challenging to manage the anxiety.

I can feel myself starting to fray at the edges with worry, with fear that something is going to happen and I’m not going to be able to do anything about it.

I’ve seen the horrors that a person can endure too many times, and I’d rather die than have anything like that happen to Addison. I’ll be damned if it even comes close.

Chapter 42

Addison

The door jingles as a family of four walks in, two parents, an older girl, and a young boy. Jack looks at me desperately, “Do you think you could take care of them? I’m swamped.”

“Of course,” I nod my head at him and reach for a notepad before making my way toward the family standing at the diner’s door.

“Hey guys, would you like a table or a booth?” I ask them. Though the diner is usually first come, first serve as far as seating goes, I like to personally welcome new customers when I get the chance. I haven’t seen this family around town, so I conclude they’re visiting from out of town.

Roll out the red carpet. I love taking care of out-of-towners.

The man looks at his wife, and they silently communicate with each other before he looks back at me with an appreciative grin. “We’ll take a table.”

“Sure thing.” I lead them to one of the free tables and get them situated, handing out menus, placing utensils, and taking drink orders. When I bring back their drinks, the man’s phone starts buzzing on the table, the nameJOSIEflashing across the screen.

He reaches for it and then glances at his wife apologetically. “I should probably get this.” His wife waves him off, and he walks away from the table to answer the phone, “Something better be burning down Jo—“

I look after him with an eyebrow raised and then look back at the wife. She rolls her eyes and shrugs. I smile at her sheepishly. “It’s not really any of my business.”

“No, it’s fine. I would be intrigued too. You never know what’s going on in Josie’s world.”

I offer her a smile, unsure of what to say. “Should we wait for him to get back to order, or do you want to put something in right away?”

The woman looks at her kids, and they glance up at me shyly. “I think they’ll each take an order of chicken strips, and I’ll do the chicken club sandwich, and my husband will take a cheeseburger with bacon on it.”

I scribble down everything she says and ask, “Fries for all of you okay?”

The woman snaps the menu closed and starts stacking the others on top. “Definitely, thank you.”

“My pleasure,” I say, taking the menus she offers me. “My name is Addie. If you need anything, just give me a holler.”

The little boy sitting across the table holds up his now empty water cup, and his mom laughs. “Looks like he was thirsty.”

I chuckle with her and crouch down so I’m at eye level with the boy. He’s got sandy blonde hair and bright blue eyes like his mother. “I’ll bring you another water. How does that sound?”

The little boy nods his head, his eyes darting down bashfully. I look back at his mom with a smile, and she watches her son with an adoring expression on her face.

“Danny, can you tell her thank you?”

His cheeks turn pink, and he whispers, “Thank you.”

I grin again. “I’ll be right back with that water.”

Hurrying toward the counter, I grin at Jack, who has been enjoying the exchange. “They seem like a nice family. Where are they from?” He asks and hands me a freshly filled pitcher of water.

“Oh, I’m not sure. I haven’t asked yet.”

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