“Because I do.”
“Not good enough,” my sister’s voice snaps me out of my funk. “God, Elijah, for once, get out of your head.”
I drop back against the seat and watch the city go by.
“Why are you snapping at me?”
“Because…I want to know why you care. Say the first thing that comes to mind.”
I stare down at my phone and frown.
“You’re sounding like my therapist,” I tell her.
There’s a pause.
“You’re speaking to him again?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Now tell me, why do you care?”
I close my eyes and rest my head back against the seat. My hand comes up and rubs the centre of my chest.
“Because it hurts to know she’s hurting.”
There’s silence on the other end of the phone.
“She’s at her house,” Kat says. “And Elijah. Don’t fuck it up this time.”
“I won’t,” I say, although the line has already gone dead.
I lean forward and press the intercom, giving me access to the driver.
“Change of plans,” I say, giving him Pen’s address.
We leave the city and head south. Pen lives close to our family home. She fell in love with the area after spending her holidays with us, and as soon as she could, she bought her and her mum a home nearby, moving out of the city while I moved in.
We approach the gate. Last time, I had a fob to let myself in. I dial Pen’s number again, but still no reply.
I dial the only other number I can think of. This time, I get a response.
“Elijah Frazer. It’s late.”
“Hi, Louise, I just found out.”
“Ahh, my daughter’s been holding out on you.” There’s a pregnant pause. “Why are you calling?”
I look up and stare out the window at the gate, realising how impulsive I’ve been.
“I’m outside the gates,” I admit.
“I know. I can see you on the camera. Pen transferred the tech to my house when she moved to the US. She hasn’t taken it back yet,” she explains. “More the question is why are you outside her gates?”
Everyone wants to know why?
“I need to know she’s okay.”
“She’s not,” Louise says bluntly, all amusement gone from her tone.
