Page 64 of Come Back To Me

Blowing out a breath, he stands. “Look, do as I say, please. I’ll put the kettle on, give you some time, but then I need to get you out of here.”

My body slumps, defeated in shock. “Where are we going?”

“You’re going south, be with Bex for a bit.” I can’t complain about seeing my best friend. But my home is here. Travis stands, and I see his phone light up on the table.

Thinking on the spot, I say, “Can you grab me some biscuits with my tea?” quickly distracting him.

“Sure.” He smiles, then turns and leaves the room.

I grab his phone from the table, my eyes flicking to the kitchen doorway. The passcode on the screen lights up.Think. Think. Heart rate booming, I press six digits, praying I knowTravis well enough. The phone unlocks. I shake my head at his stupidity to use all zeros.

Hearing his footsteps pad on the wooden floor, I quickly scroll through the names in his phone. I send myself the only ‘Mollie’ in his contacts. The fridge door slams shut making me jump. I quickly lock the phone once the message is sent and place it back on the table.

He walks back in holding out a mug for me to take.

“Thank you.” I take the mug in both hands, then he passes me the biscuits.

“Don’t be long. We’ve got a long drive ahead of us.”

Nodding, I turn and walk back upstairs. I chuck the biscuits on the bed and place my mug on the bedside table. My phone is plugged on charge. I quickly snatch it then open a up a new message.

Me: Mollie? It’s Mads, Dean’s other half. I need your help. Please, if this is you, can you talk?

It takes a few minutes of me pacing the room before my phone vibrates in my hand.

Mollie: Mads? Is everything okay?

Me: Thank God it’s you. Can I call?

Mollie: I can’t take a call. Text is better. Where are you?

Me: I’m at Dean’s house. Are you able to come here? It’s important.

There’s a slight delay before her next message comes through.

Mollie: Are you safe?

Me: Yes, I’m safe. I just need answers. I don’t have very much time

Mollie: Okay, I can come to you

Me: Are you sure? Thank you.

Mollie: He still at 77?

I question how she knows that before sending my reply.

Me: Yes

Mollie: Be there soon

Me: Text me when you’re outside

“How you getting on up there?” Travis calls.

I jump locking my phone and chucking it on the bed. “Fine,” I shout back, as I aimlessly throw on clean underwear, my comfy trousers, a top and a black jumper. My hair is also scraped into a high ponytail. In the bathroom I brush my teeth, still with absolutely no intention of leaving this house.

Five minutes later, Mollie texts.

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