She takes my bag, smiling again. “C’mon. Let’s go home. I’m dying to show you your bedroom, and Liam is so excited to meet you.”
“We have to wait for Ryder. He promised me he’d be here.”
“Yeah, look, about that.” She shoots me an apologetic look, and my stomach dips to my toes, then somersaults up to my chest and back down again. “He was really upset when he called, but he had to work a double shift, and he couldn’t get out of it. He promised he’d drop by later.”
“Oh, that’s too bad.” I draw a deep breath, forcing my sudden surge of anxiety to settle back down. Naturally, I’m disappointed he’s not here. I had visions of him waiting with outstretched arms and me racing toward him like the pathetic, lovesick fool I am. He didn’t visit last week, because he was working too, and it’s the first time I’ve gone this long without seeing him. I honestly can’t wait a minute longer. “Could we drop by the restaurant on our way home? I want to surprise him.”
“No problem. Let’s go.”
Jill chats animatedly in the car about the new house and her new job in between asking me what my plans are. I graduated with a high school diploma the same time Ryder did, and I always dreamed of studying music, with a major in songwriting, but I never thought it would ever be possible.
Now she’s offering me the opportunity to go to college, and it’s like everything I’ve ever wanted is right there for the taking. It’s a bit overwhelming, if exciting. I want to talk to Ryder before I make any decision, because I know he’s been making plans for us too, and I won’t agree to anything without discussing it so I know we can make it all work.
Not that I think he’ll discourage me from going to college. Quite the opposite, but I want to include him in my plans, because that’s the way relationships should be. I smile as I stare out the window. Listen to me, acting all grown up and shit.
The restaurant is much nicer than I was expecting it to be. It’s an old-school-type steakhouse with leather-backed booths, low lighting, and country music playing in the background. I’m a little nervous as I step inside, but the nice man at the front desk smiles broadly at me and Jill, helping to settle my nerves. “Table for two, ladies?” he asks, pulling out a couple menus.
“Oh, no. We’re not eating,” Jill corrects him.
“I just dropped by to say hi to Ryder, if that’s okay,” I say, smiling.
His whole demeanor changes, and he looks a little flustered. He clears his throat. “Hold tight for a minute.” I watch him retreat across the room, entering into a door marked Staff Only with a renewed surge of anxiety. All the tiny hairs lift on the back of my neck, and an ominous black cloud descends, pressing down on me, elevating my anxiety to coronary-inducing levels.
Something is wrong.
Something is very wrong.
I just feel it in my bones.
An older man with a mop of jet-black hair and a matching thickset mustache approaches us. “You must be Zeta,” he says, and I can only nod. “I’m Stan, and this is my restaurant.”
“Nice to meet you.” I shake his hand, while trying to quell my rising hysteria.
“Ryder left this for you.” He hands me a white envelope with my name scrawled on the front in Ryder’s messy handwriting.
“Left it for me?” My voice comes out all high-pitched and squeaky, but I’m freaking out too badly to care.
His features soften. “I’m guessing he didn’t tell you.”
“Tell me what?” My heart is slamming against my rib cage, and butterflies are going crazy in the pit of my stomach. I feel like I’m going to throw up.
“He’s gone, sweetheart. Barely gave me any notice.”
“Gone where?” I whisper, sure shock and horror is fully displayed on my face.
“He didn’t say, just that he had to leave. I was mighty sorry to see him go. He was a hard worker, and we miss him around the place.”
Blood thrums in my ears, and I’m struggling to hold my tears at bay as I run my fingers across the lettering on the front of the envelope in my hand. I vaguely hear my aunt thanking the man before she wraps her arm around me, escorting me back outside to the car.
I’m in complete shock as I buckle my seatbelt, swiping at the tears silently leaking out of my eyes.
“Don’t react yet,” Jill says, reaching over and squeezing my hand. “Not until you’ve read the letter.”
“He’s left me.” I stare straight ahead, barely able to see through the tears blurring my eyes.
“Zeta, honey. Look at me.” She forces my gaze to hers. “I’m sure there’s a reasonable explanation for this and that he hasn’t left you. At least not permanently. I know him well enough by now to know that young man adores the ground you walk on. I’ve never seen anyone more devoted or so in love. I’m sure it’s fine. Why not open the letter and find out?” she suggests.
I shake my head. “I’d rather wait until we get home.” So that I can break down in the privacy of my own bedroom if this letter says what I think it’s going to say.
