“Yes, yes, that’s a good idea.”
“Do you want me to drive you home?”
“I’m perfectly capable of driving myself home, Jake,” she tuts before turning and heading back toward the office. I walk silently beside her, feeling like I’m about to come out of my skin. I keep my mouth shut and my body loose, acting for all the world like I’m relaxed when I’m anything but.
I open her door for her when we arrive at her car. Before she gets in, she cups my cheek. As I look into her eyes, I realize how old and frail she looks. It is one of those moments I’m sure everyone has, when they realize their parents won’t always be with them.
“I’m sorry,” she whispers.
“I know, Mom.”
“I just…I can’t—won’t—go through that again.”
She gets in the car before I can say anything else. I step back and wait on the curb for her to drive away before I take off back toward the park, sprinting as fast as I can. I know it’s futile. She’ll be long gone by now, but I have to try. Fuck!
I find the place deserted. I grip my hair and curse.
I make my way back to the office, thinking up a plan. I need to track her down. I can’t let her think I meant any of that shit—the fact I didn’t immediately go after her made everything ten times worse. Hell, if I were her, I’m not sure I’d believe me either.
I shove the door to the offices open and storm in, heading back to my office for my keys.
“Whoa, hey, I take it didn’t go well?” Aiden says, taking me in.
“There is no reasoning with her about this. I tried to downplay everything to calm her down, but Sorrow was there and heard me. What the fuck was she even doing there? Of all the shitty luck.”
I grab my keys from my desk and turn back to face him. “I’ve gotta go track her down. I need to make things right.”
“You need a hand?”
“She doesn’t know you. I don’t think she’d trust you.”
“I can at least help you look and call if I spot her.”
“Yeah, okay, that would be good.” I walk back out to reception and see Felix and Marcus in the corner while Blake is talking on the phone.
“Where are you two off to?”
“Gotta go find Sorrow. I said some shit she shouldn’t have heard. It’s a long story,” I tell Marcus.
Marcus frowns. “I’ve got a couple of hours to kill before my appointment turns up.”
“Yeah, and court finished early today, so I’m free for the rest of the afternoon,” Felix adds.
“You guys sure?”
“Wouldn’t offer if we didn’t want to help.” Marcus shrugs.
Blake hangs up before crossing his arms across his chest. “I’ll hold down the fort. I’ve got Wade coming in, and the fuckingmayor wants a meeting, God help me. Arlo is due back in an hour, so we should be good. Go find your girl.”
“She’s not my girl.”
“Yet,” everyone echoes, making Marcus snort.
I follow the guys outside.
“Okay, I’ll go check the hotel she’s staying at,” Marcus states.
“I’ll go by the house,” Aiden offers, but I shake my head.
