Chapter 42
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
JAY
A weather notification sounded on Jay’s phone, pulling him out of a bizarre dream.
Beads of sweat dotted his chest and neck, and he struggled to catch his breath.
It took a moment to recognize his surroundings in the dark, quiet condo.
He had barely spent any time there since the accident—and even less since reconnecting with Claire.
Though most reminders of his life with Hope had been removed, the space still seemed haunted by her memory.
He sat up and ran his hands through his hair.
His gaze zeroed in on his cell phone. He’d made a solemn vow not to call her, but the lateness of the hour tested his resolve.
She hadn’t given him a timeframe, only a promise to call later.
Hours had passed since they parted at the airport, though it felt like days.
Jet lag and lack of sleep fed dozens of irrational thoughts.
After several minutes of quiet contemplation, he reached for his phone.
"Yeah?" Rob answered with a whisper.
"Did I wake you?" Jay asked.
"No, we're still up. Watching an old movie. Is everything okay?"
Jay walked to the window and stared out at the city lights. "She's still not back."
"It's only midnight,” Rob said. “They haven't seen each other in a long time."
Jay pushed out a tense breath. “It's just that she's been gone for hours."
"And she'll come back when she's ready.” Rob reassured him. “Listen, I'm glad you called because I have a message for you. I thought about calling you earlier, but I didn't want to interrupt you in case you two were together."
"A message from who?" Jay questioned.
"Hope's mom."
Jay’s chest tightened. "Nang called you?"
"I didn't talk to her. She left a voicemail. Said to tell you she got your message about the delivery. She’s been trying to call you back, but the call won’t go through. She just kept getting some service recording. She wants you to call her back, but it didn't sound like an emergency or anything."
"You don't think Claire's been trying to call me and got the same message, do you?"
"I doubt it."
"Maybe I should call her… or I could just drive over there?"
"Or you could try to relax. She'll be back when she's said everything she needs to say to Calvin. Just give her some time."
A knock sounded at the door and Jay quickly ended the call.
Images of police officers, sirens, and harsh hospital lights clouded his mind as he walked with brisk, determined steps.
He opened the door quickly, and his fear eased the moment he saw Claire.
One look into her eyes told him that, for now, everything in his world might still be all right.
Without a word, he pulled her into his arms. He wanted only one thing: to fall into peaceful sleep with her beside him.
When they finally pulled apart, his eyes traveled over her from head to toe.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
She nodded and managed a faint smile. “I’m better now that I’m here with you.”
He studied her red, puffy eyes. “You’re exhausted. I know this has been a really long day.”
“Yes, it has… " she replied. "For both of us.”
Jay slipped an arm around her shoulder. “I know just the thing. Follow me.”
Soft light from a single lamp filled his bedroom with a warm glow.
The space featured an elegant palette of tonal neutrals and looked like a photograph from an interior design magazine.
An ornately carved headboard dominated the wall behind the bed.
For a moment, Jay thought about Hope. This had been her space too.
The thought didn’t unsettled him though, fading quickly.
He pointed to Claire’s suitcase, open and empty on a leather chair.
"I unpacked for you—I hope you don't mind. Your toothbrush and other things are in the bathroom." He motioned toward another door.
Claire released a weary sigh. "Jay, I can't fall into bed and pretend like today never happened."
"Yes you can,” he insisted. “Let’s forget the last two days, okay?"
"Don't you even want to hear what happened?" she asked.
"Someday yes, but not tonight," he said, taking her hand. "You're here now, and you're safe, and that's all that matters to me."
Claire looked away for a moment, then lifted her eyes back to his. "I didn't want to hurt him.”
“I know you didn’t,” Jay said softly. “Calvin knows it too.”