Page 12 of The Heart You've Borrowed

“Is that so? Well, I haven’t heard from her for two years because of you. So good luck.”

“Really? You don’t care that she’s missing?” He sounds shocked.

“Nope, she’s not my problem anymore Jett. You made that perfectly clear when you made us cut all contact. I’m sure she’s fine, maybe just needed a few days to clear her head.”

“Whatever you say, Lio.” He hangs up. I slam my phone back down on the counter, taking deep breaths.

“Was that him?” I hear her quietly ask behind me, making me jump.

“Jesus Charlie.” I slam my hand to my chest, turning to face her. I can see the tears in her eyes.

“Sorry.” She mumbles, pulling the towel closer against her. I move my eyes to anywhere but her.

“Yeah that was him, he called looking for you.” I run my hand down my face.

“Does he know I’m here?” I can see the fear in her eyes.

“I don’t think so. He thought maybe you called me. He tried to tell me that you were off your meds and that you’re missing.”

“Wow, I wonder what he is telling people back there.” She lets out a breath.

“I don’t know what he’s telling people but I doubt you want to hear any of it.”

“Yeah, I know. I’m going to get dressed, pick a movie for us?” She tries to smile but I can tell it’s fake.

“Sure thing silly girl.” I give her a nod before walking back over to the couch and picking up the remote. I watch her as she walks back into her room. I hate that she had to hear that. I know she knows that I would do anything for her, no matter what. But having to say those words to him tasted like shit in my mouth.

When she comes back out she’s wearing a pair of shorts and a baggy t-shirt. I stare at the shirt for a few seconds and smile to myself.

“What?” She stops walking, noticing I’m staring at it.

“That’s my shirt.” I laughed.

“What? No, it’s not?” She looks at me confused.

“Yes, it is. I bought it when I went to visit my sister at college. You spent the night one night after one of his football games and didn’t bring extra clothes so I let you sleep in it and you never gave it back.” I shook my head, trying to hide my smile. Seeing her in my shirt does something to me.

“Oh, I don’t remember that.” She laughed, sitting next to me.

“You were drunk so yeah I believe that.”

“You’re not getting it back. I sleep in it every night.” She bites her bottom lip.

“It’s all yours.” God, she still takes my breath away. Seeing her sitting next to me with her legs tucked under her as her hair is wet and hanging down her back. Watching her as she picks at her nails and tries to focus on the movie. I can tell her anxiety is bad but I know she won’t say anything.

“What’s going on in that head of yours, silly girl?” I rest my hand on hers.

“I want this to work. Me being here, I want to start my life over here. But what if he finds me? What if he finds out that you helped me? Lio, he’s dangerous.” I can see the tears in her eyes.

“Don’t worry about me. I can handle my own. And you can have your life here. I will make sure that you can start over here. I will make sure you feel safe. I will do whatever I have to do to make sure you feel that way. I promise Charlie.” I grab her hand and kiss her knuckles. She doesn’t say anything, just nods. I know that it won’t be easy for her, I know it won’t be easy for her to start over and feel safe. But I’ll be damned if I don’t do everything I can to try to help her feel like she is finally free.

Chapter Nine

Charlie

We sit next to each other in silence as we watch whatever movie is playing on TV. I can hardly pay attention to it. I hoped it would feel like old times but everything is different now, we're different. He’s still my Lio but at the same time, I feel like he’s completely different. I guess that’s normal. We're at the point in our lives where we grow up and start becoming who we were supposed to be. He has his life figured out and here I am, crashing into it like a damn wrecking ball.

“Is it okay if I call it a night?” I finally break the silence.

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