Chapter 9
I place a blanket over Elizabeth, who is out cold on the sofa.
Hovering over her, I watch her sleeping form for a moment.
Her hand spasms, then curls in on itself.
I can see the movement of her eyes under her closed lids, so she must be dreaming.
More nightmares? I allow myself one more minute to gaze down at her, then pop a stick of gum in my mouth and walk upstairs.
I’ve been sending Ry text updates like I promised Elizabeth I would. It’s like he has the phone glued to his hand or something. No matter what time I text him, whether it’s the morning or the middle of the night, he responds immediately
Me: She’s starting to grieve her parents but is fighting it. That girl is so stubborn.
Ry: Help her, Fal. Don’t let her grieve alone. I want to be there for her. Tell me where you guys are.
Me: No. It would only set her back.
Me: She misses you and Jay
Ry: We miss her too. I miss her.
Ry: Got into another fight with Jay. He’s flipping out that she hasn’t come back. Jules isn’t much better. I’m getting a lot of heat here bc I agreed to let you take her away and didn’t stop you. This is killing me. It’s killing us. Tell me it’s worth it.
Me: First, hope you kicked his ass.
Ry:
Me: Second, she thought she saw you at the club tonight.
Ry: You took her out to a club? Are you insane?
Me: She needed a distraction. Anyway, she thought she saw you. She’s been a mess ever since she realized it wasn’t you.
Ry: I can be on the next plane to wherever you are.
Me: Like I told her tonight, she’s not ready yet. Stay put.
Me: How’s her uncle holding up?
When I spoke with Dad yesterday, he mentioned that he stopped by Elizabeth’s place and spoke with Daniel.
Ry: I’m dropping by her house tomorrow after school. He’s dealing. Keep the texts coming. They seem to help.
Me: Talk to you tomorrow.
When I reach the top of the stairs, my phone vibrates since I have my ringer turned off. It’s an unknown number.
“Yeah?”
“Where is she?” Jayson’s irate voice demands.
Shock quickly changes to irritation. “How did you get my number?”
“Where is she, Fallon?”
“With me, but you already knew that.”
“Put Liz on the phone right this minute!”
“She’s sleeping. We had a long night and she’s exhausted,” I tell him.
“She won’t answer her phone.”
“That’s because I took it from her. She’ll get it back when she’s ready to come home. She doesn’t need you harassing her all day and night.”
“If you’ve done anything to her—”
“Are you serious right now, Jay? I didn’t kidnap her. She came to me. Willingly. Not to mention, she’s here with me now with her uncle’s permission.”
“Fallon, put Liz on the phone!” he yells.
“I don’t know why I’m even telling you this but if you truly love her like you keeping proclaiming, you’ll give her the time she needs. She’ll come back when she’s ready.”
I hang up on him and block his number. Jay and I have never gotten on that well, and I refuse to have him constantly blow up my phone the entire time Elizabeth is with me.
Stripping out of my shirt, I toss my phone to the other side of the bed and get under the covers.
I stare up at the ceiling as self-doubt creeps its way into my psyche.
Is what I’m doing making things worse for Elizabeth?
I’m not a doctor. I’m not even twenty years old yet.
All I have going for me are money and the Montgomery last name.
What the hell do I know about anything other than how to throw a good party and spend money?
I’m no one’s hero, so why I am trying so hard to be hers?
I fall asleep with those thoughts lying heavy on my mind.