Broken & Torn (Emerald Falls #1)

16. 16

16

PARKER

L yla has been acting strange this week.

I first noticed it yesterday morning. Our hike had been amazing and we chatted and took photos the whole way back to the truck. I had spent the weekend editing the pictures and admittedly, spent too much time staring at the pictures of her.

Come Monday morning, I got an entirely different Lyla than I was used to. She was quiet and reserved, not wanting to fill the silence with conversation and bombarding me with questions. She did the bare minimum of cleaning and even though she still engaged with the customers, it felt forced. When I had asked her if she was okay, she’d simply waved me off and said she was fine and that it was an off day.

Today is Tuesday, and she’s spent the morning staring off into space. I can’t shake the feeling of concern, that something else is going on. Just as I’m about to ask her, she lets out a sigh and turns to face me.

“I don’t feel well. I think I’m going to take the rest of the day off, if that’s okay?”

“Of course,” I say without hesitation. “Just let me know if you need anything.”

She nods solemnly before making her way to the back and up the stairs. I watch her retreat, seeing her posture slump. She looks so defeated and I wish I knew what I could do to help her. I stare at the stairs for what felt like hours after I hear her apartment door open and close. I feel an urge to run after her and demand that she tell me what’s wrong.

You’re being paranoid. It’s just your anxiety.

Despite knowing this could be true, I spend the rest of the day worrying about my best friend. It isn’t until Cassie walks in that I realize it’s already the end of my shift.

“Hey, boss man. Where’s Lyla?”

“She said she wasn’t feeling well and asked for the rest of the day off.”

“Yeah, she seemed off when I came home last night.” Cassie chews on her lip for a moment. “She said she was fine, but it didn’t feel that way to me. I’ll go check on her, I’ll be right back.”

She jogs up the stairs and after what feels like an eternity, makes her way back down.

“She’s sleeping. She might just be sick, but I’ll check on her again when my shift is over.”

Something stirs within me and I feel unsettled about the situation. The feeling of unease gnaws at me and I can’t shake the feeling that something isn’t right. In the end, I choose to give Lyla space and make my way home.

That night, I get a text from Lyla.

Hey, can you open the store tomorrow? I don’t think I’ll be able to make it in.

Anxiety floods me as I text her back.

Sure. Are you okay?

I wait for a response and after half an hour, decide to text her again.

Just tell me you’re okay before I drive down there to check.

Five minutes. Ten minutes.

My phone finally lights up.

I’m fine. Just not feeling well, so I’m going to sleep some more. Good night, Parker.

I let out a sigh of relief, but it doesn’t relieve the pressure in my chest. I can’t explain it, but I know that something isn’t right. Lyla is lying to me and I don’t understand why.

My worries are confirmed when Lyla calls in sick the rest of the week.