Page 72 of Blindsided

“Guess it can’t hurt to have extra people helping in the search.”

When we get inside Desmond’s apartment, the silence becomes awkward. There’s nothing for us to say until Jeffery’s guy gets here. We haven’t resolved any of our issues. We’re simply ignoring them until Tilly is home safe. Although, it’s taking everything I have not to bring up how big of an idiot he’s being.

He’s allowed to be hurt. We straight-up lied to him about our relationship. There’s no getting around that, but the hateful words he said to Tilly weren’t acceptable.

But now isn’t the right time. Neither one of us is in a good place to discuss something as emotional as my relationship with his sister.

I sit down on the couch, my elbows resting on my knees and my head in my hands. My nerves are fraying at the edges. I have no idea how much longer I can hold myself together before I snap. I woke up this morning missing my girl, and now I have no idea if she’s hurting or safe or even ali—no. I can’t think about the last one. She’s strong. She’ll make it out of this.

Desmond’s phone rings, and I hear him say, “Send him up.”

When there’s a knock on the door, Desmond lets the guy in. “Hey, I’m Desmond. I appreciate you coming to help.”

“Isaac. And it’s no problem. Jeff’s a friend from my rehab clinic, and I never mind doing favors for him.”

Rehab clinic?I get up at those words and find a guy with sandy brown hair pushing his wheelchair through the room toward Desmond’s dining room table. Des moves the chair at the head of the table, and Isaac places his computer bag on top.

“Hey, man. I’m Isaac.” He nods his head at me.

“Matthew. What do you need to find Tilly?”

“An internet connection and her movements the last time you knew where she was.”

“Easy enough.” Desmond sits at the table and gives Isaac everything he needs. I sit across from Des as we silently wait for Isaac to do his thing.

“Okay, I’ll start with security footage and work my way forward from there. Settle in. This is going to take a while.”

CHAPTER32

Matthew

Desmond ordered a couple of pizzas while Isaac clicked around on his computer. I’ve spent the last hour sitting on the couch, feeling like a useless sack of shit. Desmond is on the phone with his parents right now, giving them an update on what we know. Which is next to nothing. They’re planning to take the first flight out in the morning. They originally wanted to drive, but Desmond cut that idea off at the knees. I can’t imagine them trying to navigate their way through Manhattan traffic by themselves.

My phone rings, giving me a chance to stop moping. I walk down the hallway and into Desmond’s guest bedroom to answer Adam’s call.

“Anything new?” he asks after I answer.

“Not yet. Jeffery’s guy is here, working through security footage.”

“Good. I have no doubt he’ll find the answers we need.”

“Adam…” I can’t finish the thought. I sink down onto the edge of the bed. The weight of my anxiety and fear is crushing.

“We’re going to find her. Right now, Tilly needs you to be strong. She needs you to keep your shit together so that when you find her, you can support her however she needs.”

“What if he hurts her?” My whispered question makes my chest tight.

“He won’t. This guy has been stalking her because he’s in love with her. He’s not going to kill her in a few hours. Tilly is smart. She’s going to do whatever is needed to stay alive.”

“Okay.” I breathe in until my lungs can’t expand any further, and then I let it out in one long exhale. “Okay.” This time, my words are strong. We’re going to find her, and I will be ready to take care of her the moment we do.

“That’s it. Now, go see if there are any updates, and let us know when you have something,” Adam says.

After saying goodbye, I end the call and head back out to the open kitchen, dining, and living room. Desmond is standing at the kitchen counter with pizza boxes, and Isaac is still at the table doing whatever it is he’s doing.

I grab some pizza for Isaac and a slice for me. I’m not even remotely hungry, but I need to eat something if I want to keep up my strength.

I set the plate next to Isaac’s elbow. “I grabbed a couple of slices for you. Hopefully, you don’t have any allergies.”

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