Chapter Fourteen
Link
MY BED IS empty.Idon’t have to open my eyes to know Annistyn isn’t laying next to me any longer.Last night she fell asleep on my chest with one of her legs intertwined with mine.I was running my fingers through her long hair as I held her close and listened to her breathing even out as she fell asleep.These are the moments I live for because it shows how much my Pixie truly trusts me.If she didn’t, there’s no way she’d be able to close her eyes while I was in the same room as her.I might not know much, but I do understand that.To know I’m one of the few people she has chosen to trust and let in completely floors me because I wasn’t expecting it to happen this fast.I’ve also noticed she turns to me in her sleep if I lay behind her when she’s having a nightmare.That’s been happening for the last two months now.It’s as if her body instinctually knows I’m next to her and I’m her safe place.The one who will fight her battles when she can’t.My heart swells with pride every single time something small like that happens.
Opening my eyes, I take in the empty spot beside me and reach out.The pillow and bed are cold.It’s not surprising because Annistyn’s sleep pattern is all kinds of messed up now that she’s eating.It’s only been a few days but she wakes up every few hours to grab something to snack on each night.I’ve learned quickly to keep snacks in the room for her so she can just pick something and eat before going back to sleep again.Turning over to grab my phone, I find a piece of paper laying on top of it.Grabbing it, I take in the neat writing and two words in the center of the small piece of paper.
I’m sorry.
That’s all the paper says as I jump out of bed to go find Annistyn.She’s never once left me a note before for any reason.My girl simply gets out of bed and goes down to the common room to clean before starting breakfast.With Skylar here, maybe she’s down there helping her and learning more.I really doubt it after seeing the note, but I’m going to hope that’s what’s going on here.Deep in my gut I know I won’t find Annistyn in the clubhouse at all.She’s left for some reason and I have no clue what’s going on.I should have paid more attention to her yesterday so I would have known something was going on.
After dressing in the first clothes I grab, I rush from my room and head downstairs.The common room is already full to capacity as I search for Annistyn.She’s not here and no cleaning has been done.The Feral girls are just now cleaning up from last night.Dread fills me as I head for the kitchen to find it full of ol’ ladies as they cook breakfast and talk amongst themselves.This is a typical scene when the clubs are all together.The women love taking care of us and we let them have their space to do what they have to do.
“Anyone seen Annistyn this mornin’?”I ask when there’s a lull in the conversation.
“No.I was getting kind of worried because I know she hasn’t been sleeping the way she should in a very long time.It’s only gotten worse since she got out of the hospital.She’s not in the bedroom or out back?”Cali asks me as she looks up from her space at the counter.
“She’s not in the room.I woke up to an empty bed.I’ll go look out back now,” I say more to myself than anyone else as I run from the kitchen and head for the back door of the clubhouse.
“What’s goin’ on?”Viper asks me as I push past him in a way I never would if I were thinking rationally.
“Annistyn isn’t here.Have you seen her?”I question him without stopping as I force the door open and let it slam against the outside of the building.
“I haven’t seen her at all today.I’ll help you look,” he says, concern filling his voice as I look behind me really quick.
I walk away from the clubhouse and call Annistyn’s name as I search for any sign she’s out here with her camera.The yard is empty as I walk around her normal locations and find no sign of her.Annistyn isn’t one to disappear without letting someone know where she is.Something either happened to her or she made a decision about her recovery and thought it was too hard to say.When I don’t find any sign of her outside, I head back inside and go straight up to my room.Once the door is open, I look for her clothes and the few items she has here.The drawers in my dresser are empty and two of my hoodies are missing.There are none of her toiletries in the bathroom when I go in there.Even her toothbrush is missing.
“Fuck!”I yell out as I walk back toward the bed and the note.Picking it up in my hand, I simply look at it at a complete loss.
“I can’t find her anywhere, Link.No one’s seen her either.Did she leave any clues behind?”Viper asks as Caleb, Playboy, Tank, and Caleb’s grandpa enter my room.
“Just this note.All it says is ‘I’m sorry’.I found it on the stand next to my bed when I woke up.It was on my phone so she wanted to make sure I’d see it first thing.There’s no indication of where she went or what’s goin’ on.I know she wouldn’t go back to her aunt and uncle’s place.That’s nothin’ but torture for her.She would never put herself in a position where she’s gonna get hurt again,” I say as my phone starts to vibrate on the stand where I left it in my rush to find Annistyn.
Looking at the men surrounding me, I see varying looks of concern on their faces.I don’t hesitate to answer when I see Roger’s name on the screen.
“Roger, what’s goin’ on?”I answer, my words rushed out as Playboy indicates for me to put the phone on speaker so they can hear.
“I’m calling to let you know Annistyn is okay.She’s safe and where she needs to be right now,” he says, understanding filling his voice as I suck in a deep breath of air for the first time since finding the paper.
“You know where she is?”I question him as I look at the men I’ve looked up to for so long.
“I do.I picked her up last night after everyone went to bed.It was the only way she knew she would be able to leave, Kreed.Annistyn didn’t make this decision lightly and she didn’t want to hurt you.However, she has to put herself first right now,” Roger says as relief fills me and I realize exactly where she is now.
“She’s at your ranch.My Pixie has decided to get the treatment she needs and couldn’t face any of us because it would have been too damn hard.I get it, I do.She could have left me a longer note though,” I say defeat filling my voice because I’m not sure what else to say or think.
“Annistyn knows that.She wanted to but couldn’t bring herself to write out a longer note.Kreed, my cousin has been crying nonstop since I picked her up.A large part of her feels as if she’s betrayed everyone there.Especially you.The kids and Cali are right under you.And your mom.She loved spending time with her and hearing stories about you growing up.I just got her to lay down and close her eyes.I’m taking her phone for now and locking it away.Something she wants me to do.She’s worried she won’t be able to focus on what she has to do if she has access to her phone.And she doesn’t want you to come see her yet.If she changes her mind, I’ll let you know immediately,” Roger informs me and I know this is hard for him to say because I’m about to lose my fucking mind.
