Chapter 25 #2
“They would’ve called by now if they were already safe.
I mean, cell towers could be down in places, but I feel like somehow, we would’ve heard something by now if they were in a good spot.
At the very least, Colin would’ve called to see if you were okay,” Brynleigh answers, looking over at me with worried eyes that seem to realize what she said does nothing to make any of us feel better.
“Not to mention, their storm hit before ours did…” She trails off, looking into the crackling embers but not really seeing them.
Her usual, bubbly attitude is gone, a ghost of worry shadowing her face.
She looks to be a mess about Mark. Even worried with no makeup on, she’s still strikingly beautiful.
Headlights flash through the living room front windows. Not a minute later, Ava is storming in.
“Ugh! You’re out of power too! Any news on the guys? Hi, Bryn! Oooh, fire.” We giggle again at the similar sentiment as Ava rushes over to the fire to warm up as well.
Buzz.
Jane: You guys good? Out of power too? I just texted Ava, but she didn’t answer.
Me: She just strolled in my door. She likely hasn’t seen it yet. She’s out of power. We’re good. Limbs down, no power as well, but I have a fire going. Garrett getting yours up and running? Brynleigh also just got here. None of us can reach any of the guys.
Jane: Oh, fuck. I didn’t even think of them. Fuck, fuck, fuck! Do you think they’re okay? Those storms practically came out of nowhere, and they have the worst signal in that park… I’m sorry, I know that’s not helping. I’ll be there in a little bit.
Me: Bring chocolate if you have any.
Jane: You know I do. Garrett’s coming, too. Is that okay? He wants to be able to drive us if we need to go somewhere.
Me: Garrett’s always welcome here.
My stomach churns with anxiety, and I look up to see all three of my friends looking at me, worriedly.
“Garrett and Jane are on their way over too. Garrett wants to be here in case,... in case he needs to drive us somewhere.” My voice trails off. We’re all quiet at that thought. The fear of our friends and loved ones being hurt…or worse… I refuse to even think or speak those words.
Holly grabs my hand, knowing where my head is. Brynleigh lets out a little wounded sound, holding back a full-on sob. Ava climbs from the couch and goes to sit on the arm of the chair and wrap her arms around her.
“They’re going to be okay. They are all strong, capable men. We have a veteran with all sorts of training and experience in the worst of situations, a veterinarian with medical experience, and a construction guy. They got this.”
Brynleigh lets some tears fall but shakes her head against Ava’s shoulder before sitting up and giving us a watery smile, trying to put on her brave face. We all feel that. Fake it till you make it.
The front door swings open again, heavy footsteps followed by lighter ones.
“I’ve got the chocolate! We still got wine in the kitchen? It’s only eleven-thirty on a Saturday night, and we’ve got a DD here!” Jane waves up and down, Vanna White style to show off her hubby who just smiles and waves shyly. He’s such a sweet guy.
We all get a good chuckle out of that one. Leave it to Jane to make us all smile.
“Yeah, there’s always some wine around here. A small glass wouldn’t be the worst thing right now.”
“On it,” Jane quips, tossing two bags of assorted Halloween candy in our laps and rushing off to the kitchen with Garrett in tow.
“I call a Twix!” Ava jumps up and catches as Holly tosses one to her.
“Bryn?” I ask with a quirked brow.
“Reeses girl all the way.”
Holly tosses Ava the Reeses.
“My kind of gal!” I exclaim and snag one for myself.
“I’ll eat anything that’s chocolate.” Holly closes her eyes and fishes around for a second and smiles when she pulls out a Milky Way mini. “Sweet,” she mumbles.
“Here we go…” Jane and Garrett pass out wine glasses before strolling over to the loveseat parallel to the fireplace to snuggle up. Jane whips out a package of Twizzlers from her bag down by her feet.
“Holding out on us?!” Holly exclaims with a mischievous smile.
“You all said chocolate, but yes… I guess I’ll share.” She pulls off a few strands of Twizzlers and playfully tosses them to us on the couch. Ava holds up her hands, motioning with her fingers to “bring it on”, and Jane tosses her some too.
Brynleigh picks up her phone and tries Mark again. Nothing. I try Colin’s number. It rings once and my heart jumps in my throat but sinks when it cuts to voicemail again. Nothing happens with Trystan’s phone either.
“Nothing?” Brynleigh wonders aloud.
“Colin’s rang once, voicemail for Trystan.” I blow out a frustrated breath and sip my wine. Everyone else audibly sighs too.
“Do you know where they were going exactly?” Garrett asks as he walks over and pokes at the fire.
“They went to Vaughan Woods State Park near South Berwick. That’s all I know. And since I’m not from around here, I have zero idea where that’s at or where to even begin looking.”
“If we don’t hear from them by sunup, we’ll go. There’s only so many trail access points that lead to the river near the good fishing spots and lake, and we know what Mark’s truck looks like. You girls go get some sleep. I’ll watch the phones and keep trying them all.”
“I can’t go back to sleep,” I answer, emotion clogging my throat that he’s willing to go search with me.
“I would go sooner, but we’ll be of no use to them in the dark.
We don’t know the conditions of what we’re going into.
We can leave an hour before sunrise so that we can hit the ground running at daybreak if you want, but I won’t put any of you in danger.
Colin, Mark, and even Trystan would kick my ass. ”
“Thank you, Garrett.” My voice comes out in a whisper. Brynleigh echoes it.
“No need to thank me. I’m just glad I can be here for you all,” he replies as he walks back over and sinks down onto the loveseat, tossing an arm around Jane’s shoulders.
She leans her head against his chest, grabbing his hand before smiling up at him with devotion-filled eyes. She’s proud to call him hers.
I see it so plainly, and my heart tugs, happy that she has that in her life and praying that my forever is coming home.
Bitsy and Amy make their way into the room.
Bitsy jumps up into my lap and purrs as she makes her circles and gets comfy.
Amy whines at my feet, sensing my distress.
She nuzzles my knee, and I reach out to pet her head.
She huffs and licks my hand then jumps up between Holly and I to lay down.
She settles her head right next to Bitsy, giving her a quick lick before looking back up at me.
“He’ll be okay, Amy. He’ll come back to us.”
At one, Brynleigh’s phone rings, making me jump awake. I hadn’t even realized I’d nodded off. I immediately grab for my phone, too.
“It’s Mark!” She fumbles to answer, her hands shaking. “Mark? Are you guys okay? Hello? Hello? I can’t hear you… Damn… I lost him. He didn’t sound right, guys.” She tries to call back, but there’s nothing. It doesn’t go through. We all look at each other.
“Go get ready girls. We’ll get on the road.”