Chapter 35
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
TRIPP
I have no idea how long I have been laying on my bed, eyes pinned to the ceiling as I toss the bullets into the air and catch them.
My heart obliterated into a thousand shards inside my chest, and I feel like beat by beat it is slowing, until finally, it will stop beating all together.
I have no idea where she has gone, it can't be far. As far as I am aware, her car is still at Rusty's garage.
The silent house is filled with emptiness. Dad joined my brothers to celebrate Austin's trial, mom stayed at home with me and honestly, I think she is grieving for the grandchild that she had also lost.
Sighing heavily, I sit up with difficulty, my eyes trailing towards the closet in the corner of my bedroom, eyes sting, throat burns.
My dad and me rode over to Dixie's childhood home a week ago. I wanted to see if her guitar was still there, and with Marty's help, we got into the boarded-up house and sure as shit, her broken guitar was hidden in her dad's closet. Dad took it into his workshop, and whilst Dixie worked, we got started on fixing it up and I finished it off with a small dreamcatcher that I painted in a light pink on the lower bout.
I was going to give it to her this weekend.
I wanted her to know that she could still chase her dreams, and that she could do it with the guitar that meant so much. Sure, we had to replace certain parts, but most of it was patched up from what was left.
My heart rattles in my empty chest on my inhale of breath.
I was so close to having it all, only for it to be taken away in a blink of an eye.
My phone beeps and I wait a minute or two before I cast my eyes on the screen. Sunny .
I roll my eyes. I like Sunny, but we're not on friend basis.
Sunny
Wanted to let you know Dixie is crashing here. She is safe, so is Lainey. Just give her space. xo.
Pointless text. Tossing the phone into the bedspread, I reach out for the handrail that sits on the wall beside my bed and pull myself to my feet.
I'm done moping.
But before I can sleep this day that went from happy to shit real fucking quick, I need mom's help.
“Ma.” I call out as I slip my hand into my crutch and wrap my finger around the handle, hobbling down towards the living room where she sits. Her eyes pinned to the window, fingers knotted together, and she looks so sad.
“Mom?” my voice is soft as I approach. Turning her head to look at me, I see the sadness that is painted over her face and my heart hurts.
“You okay?” and I don't miss the way a heavy sigh wraps around her question.
“Can you help me with something?” I ignore her question as her brows pinch, eyes searching my face.
“Sure,” she nods, pushing up from her seat and following me into the bedroom.
I shouldn't be driving, but it's fine. My casted leg is not even on the gas. I needed to get to Dixie. Hudson had text me and told me that she was on her way to The Boot. My phone screams in the cup holder of my truck. I want to ignore it, but curiosity gets the better of me. The sky is dark, the odd street lamp dim. My phone continues dancing in the middle of the truck and I finally sweep it into my hand and see Riggs' name.
“Yeah,” I groan, rubbing the sleep from my eyes.
“It's Dixie.”
The way his voice rasps, breathless and urgent causes my heart to flatline in my chest. I ignore everything else, pushing the gas to the floor and driving as fast as I can, my eyes widening when I see why Riggs is calling me.
Panic claws at my throat, and I am desperate to get to her.
Desperate to know if she is okay all whilst silently praying that she is.
Nothing can happen to her.
Not my Dixie.