CHAPTER 4
Frankie
T he smell of coffee pulls me from my sleep. Nate must be home. He doesn’t drink coffee, but he likes to have it ready for me in the mornings. He says he’s too scared to talk to me before I have my first cup, so it’s actually self-serving, but appreciated, nonetheless.
I glance around my room, trying to remember how I got to bed last night. Where the hell is Dino? I always sleep with Dino. My grandpa gave him to me when I was a kid. We’ve been through a lot together, him and I. He’s the only stuffed animal I’ve ever owned.
I look down to find I’m still wearing the green dress from last night. It’s covered in dirt and smells like a bonfire. I wish I had at least taken it off before crawling under the blankets. I peek at myself in the mirror beside my bed. My hair looks like medusa and a rabid dog got into a fight. Most of my makeup came off in the water last night, so at least I don’t also have raccoon eyes. All in all, I’m in decent shape considering the amount of whiskey I drank.
Memories of last night rush through my head. I can’t believe I was thinking about my stranger when Micah was touching me. I must have it bad because I also dreamt someone with amber eyes was in my room, and that someone put Bradley Cooper to shame.
Dressing in sweatpants and an old Sublime t-shirt, I head to the kitchen to give Nate a piece of my mind. “You better have a seriously good explanation for not getting back to me last night,” I scold, rounding the corner to find Jess pouring coffee into a rainbow mug.
“Still haven’t heard from Nate?” she asks, handing me the one shaped like a penis. She points to two ibuprofens and coconut water sitting on the counter. “You might want to take those.” Did I mention how much I love my best friend?
Taking the mug from Jess, I blow gently on the hot coffee, sending warm steam swirling around my face. “No! I was hoping it was him in the kitchen making all this noise.”
“Nope! Just me. The most awesome person you know.” She hops on the counter, careful not to spill her coffee. Her hair is braided, and she’s wearing joggers, crocs, and a tank top that might be a sports bra. It’s so unfair how she looks like she spent all night at the spa, and I look like I got hit by a semi-truck. God really does have favorites.
“I’m worried about him.” I grab a banana and a jar of peanut butter and hop on the island next to the counter Jess is on. We have a small dining table, but for some reason the counters beckon us, and this is where we usually eat or gossip.
“You know Nate. He probably fell in love again.”
She has a point. Nate gets all goofy when he meets a girl he likes. “You’re probably right.” Needing to focus on something else for a bit, I change the subject. “Tell me about last night,” I smirk.
Jess fake swoons before taking a sip of coffee. “Oh my God! Brent is the sweetest guy. He made me breakfast this morning and asked to see me again tonight.”
“Hell yeah!” I squeal. I’m so happy for her. She deserves a good guy. “How’s Micah? I hope he’s feeling better.”
Jess shrugs. “Micah went straight to his room when we got to their place. He was still sleeping when I left this morning.”
I rip off a chunk of banana and spread peanut butter on it before shoving it in my mouth. “It’s weird he got sick so suddenly. He didn’t drink much. Maybe I scared him away.”
Jess gives me a serious look. “Did you happen to eat a banana in front of him? Because that might do it.”
My laugh turns into a cough as I choke on the gooey, delicious concoction in my mouth. I manage to swallow it before saying, “It’s for the best anyway. I don’t want to get involved with anyone.” At least I got to avoid the walk of shame this morning.
“You never get involved with anyone. It’s been years since your last relationship,” Jess points out while pouring herself another cup of coffee.
“B.O.B and I are doing all right.” I chuckle, giving her a wink.
She’s right though. I barely remember the last time I even went on a date. It’s not like I haven’t had the opportunity. I think I’m just too picky.
The sun is shining through the window, so I jump off the counter. “It’s too nice outside to be in here.”
Jess gives me a knowing smile. “I’ll grab the blankets,” she says as we make our way to our favorite spot, the porch swing out back.
“I really love it out here,” I say as Jess tosses the blankets on my lap before scooting in and laying her head on my shoulder.
Sighing, I send my brother another text message.
Jess squeezes my arm, reassuring me. “Maybe Nate went to Isaac’s house for the weekend.”
Isaac is Nate’s best friend. He throws big parties every weekend, so there’s a good chance he’s there. “Maybe. I just wish he would call me back.”
“I guarantee he’s not thinking about his sister if he’s hooking up with someone at Isaac’s house. He’ll be home before work on Monday.”
She has a point. Relief washes over me. “Yeah, you’re right.”
“I know,” she says, shrugging one shoulder. “Now swing with me and listen to the birds sing.”
Monday morning arrives, and there is still no sign of Nate. I call his boss, but he hasn’t seen my brother either. Shit!
I then call my boss. Holding my breath, I wait for him to pick up as the phone rings. “Please tell me you’re not calling out sick,” Dave says the moment he answers.
“I’m not sick, but I can’t come in. Nate’s missing and I’m worried.”
He sighs, heavily. Before he has time to object, I start rubbing my finger back and forth over the speaker. “What? I can’t hear you. My phone’s breaking up.”
I’m pretty sure I hear him yelling as I disconnect, but I need to find my brother. He’ll understand. He secretly likes me.
The knots that have been in my stomach since Friday tighten further. Nate never misses work, not even for a girl. Damnit, Nate! I slam my hand on the counter as panic rises. Where the hell could he be?
I search his room for the hundredth time. I look behind the guitar leaning against the wall, search through dresser drawers, and check the pockets of every pair of jeans I can find. Nothing.
Falling back onto his bed, I notice a thin layer of ash over his comforter. Where the hell did this come from? Maybe it’s a clue, but what could it mean? And how did it get here? I sit up, brushing myself off and call him again.
Don’t worry…about a thing…cause every little thing is gonna be alright.
What? The song we listened to on repeat as kids blares from under his bed. I get down on all fours, reaching under it until I feel his phone.
My heart plumets as I see the word sis light up the screen. I stare at it, dumbfounded, dread knotting in my stomach. Something’s wrong. Nate would never leave the house for this long without his phone. Something bad had to have happened to him, I realize as panic claws at my throat. My mind spins thinking of what to do next. I need to find him. Oh my God! What if it’s too late. What if he’s…No! I won’t let myself think that. Take a breath, Frankie. He’s not dead. I refuse to believe that.
My hands tremble as I enter his password, bypassing the twenty-five messages I sent him. I find a photo of a half-naked brunette from an unknown number. Bingo!
I call the number, fingers crossed Nate’s with her. After one ring I hear, “I send you a naked photo, and you wait an entire week to get back to me!”
I pull the phone away, hoping to save my eardrums. “Um... Hello?”
Before I explain who I am, she yells. “Who the hell is this? Actually, I don’t care. I don’t have time for Nate’s bullshit. Tell him we’re over. You can have him.” She disconnects. It’s not worth calling her back because it’s obvious she has no clue where Nate is.
I find Isaac’s number and give him a call. There’s no answer, so I text him on my own phone, asking if he’s seen Nate. I’m too antsy to wait for a response, so I decide to drive to his house.
Halfway there, Isaac calls, saying he hasn’t seen Nate since last weekend. There’s one more place to look. Tossing my phone into the passenger seat, I drive to our spot, speeding the entire way, hoping I don’t get pulled over.
I turn down an old dirt road and park my car. The path to Beauty Lake is overgrown, but the view is worth it if you can handle the mosquitoes and wood ticks.
Nate’s truck isn’t here, but I exit my car anyway wanting to clear my head before I report him missing to the police. I can’t help but search the surrounding area as I walk through the narrow, overgrown trail, scared I’ll find a body. Stop it, Frankie! He’s not dead.
Reaching the edge of the water, I sit on a tree stump, rubbing my thumb over the tire swing tattoo on my wrist. I stare up at the sky, remembering the times we spent out here.
We would pack PB he could definitely be the missing piece. Confident in my decision to go to the police, I buckle in, my engine roaring to life. I’ll be sure to mention this when I report Nate missing.