Francesca was just in bed with me a minute ago.
I'd told her that I loved her.
That I was taking her to my place in the morning.
That I was going to take her away to a white sandy beach of her choosing.
She was mine.
She wouldn't leave.
And then call my fuckin' family.
Carlo stood in the bathroom doorway and said, “Put a shirt on and let's get the fuck outta here.I can't stand this stench any longer.”
I shook my head.“I have to find Francesca.We're going to my place in the morning.”
Eve's head fell forward, and she covered her face with her hands.
Fuck.
“Stefan, honey.”Giselle set her hand on my cheek.“Francesca called me.”Her eyes were filled with—pity?“Carlo's right, she's gone.She told us to come pick you up.”
I couldn't understand what Giselle was saying.She might as well be speaking in a foreign language.
Carlo’s voice boomed from the kitchen.“She's gone, man!Put your clothes and shoes on, and let’s get the fuck outta here.”
Nick strolled into the apartment.He looked at the three of us on the bed and then turned to Carlo.“Could you have been any more abrupt?Perhaps a little empathy might be in order.”
Carlo shrugged like he didn't give a fuck about my feelings.Probably because he didn't give a fuck about my feelings.“Nick, what the hell's going on?”I levelled with my best friend.I loved him—even though I still partially hated him for siding with Carlo all those months ago.But Nick was a straight shooter.He'd tell me exactly what I asked.Give me the information I needed.
Nick's eyes dropped to the floor for a moment.When he looked back up at me, he said, “Francesca got Giselle’s number from the hospital a while ago.She called and told Giselle to come and get you.”
I frowned as my heart pounded even harder in my chest.“What do you mean?Why would she do that?”I asked breathlessly.Nothing he said made any sense.He had to be wrong.
“Francesca left you.She said she didn't want to leave you alone.That one of us should come over and get you.”If Nick had struck me in the chest with a baseball bat, it wouldn't have hurt any less.
“That's not true.”I couldn’t blink.
Giselle squeezed my leg and kissed my cheek.“He's telling you the truth.That's exactly what Francesca said.”
My eyes found Giselle's and searched her face for any trace—any hint that she was lying to me.Giselle hadn't always told me the truth.
We'd been through more than most.
But something told me that she would never lie to me about this.
About Francesca.
“I've got a few guys on it.They'll find her.”Nick cleared his throat.“If you want her to be found, that is.”
I let out a forced laugh.“If?If I want her found?”I squinted at him and sighed.“Yeah, I fuckin' want her found.Now.”
Nick nodded quickly and crossed his arms.“That's what I thought.”
Giselle kissed my cheek again.“Francesca said she left you a note.I'll help you find it while we pack you up.”She stood and grabbed Eve's hand, pulling her.“Help me, okay?We need to get him home.”
Eve sniffled and nodded her head.
