CHAPTER 21
AVA
When I wake, Rafe is gone. I reach across the bed as if to confirm it, feeling the cold he left behind. It’s a familiar feeling, like a punch to the gut, even as I caution myself.I’mthe one who said there might not be a future here.
That doesn’t stop my heart from leaping when I see he left me a note.
Sorry for leaving before you woke up, beautiful. You looked too angelic sleeping. (You’re a really heavy sleeper, just so you know…) I couldn’t bear to wake you. But I’ll see you soon. Please, try to keep your parents inside today. I can’t wait to see you again.
I smooth my thumb over the note. There’s anLwith a line through it. At least, that’s what it looked like at first glance. Now, I’m not so sure. It could just be a weird squiggle.
I bring the paper to my face, then stand and let it drop. My mind is going to absurd places.
No, Ava, he didn’t start to write ‘love’ then think better of it. Get a grip!
I walk into the living room to find Mom and Dad sitting in their house clothes. Mom has Theo in her arms, feeding him from a bottle, and Dad is reading the newspaper. I suddenly feel certain they’re going to know what I did as I walk to the kitchen in my bathrobe.
“Did you uh…”
“We heard the door,” Dad says. “And then we checked on you and Theo, and there you were…”
I swallow, brewing coffee. “Yeah, Rafe was here.”
“We figured that,” Mom quips.
“You could sleep through a storm, Ava,” Dad says, his voice warmer than it was yesterday.
“Yeah, I’ve been told. Coffee?”
“We’re all set.”
I join them in the living room, hands clasped around my cup. “This is all a little crazy, isn’t it?”
“Just a little,” Mom murmurs.
Dad sits forward, putting his paper down. “But we’re here, together. That counts for something.”
“We’re safe,” I offer.
Mom scoffs, and Dad glares at her.
“Sorry, dear, you’re right. Wearesafe.”
“Why do I feel like there’s abutin there somewhere?”
Mom just looks at me. And suddenly, I know what she’s thinking. We’ve always been like that, as though there’s some telepathic link between us.
“Ah,” I murmur.
“Breakfast, anyone?” Dad says, trying to cut the tension.
It’s obvious what Mom was going to say.
But we wouldn’t be in danger if it weren’t for your mobster boyfriend…
“How long?” Mom demands. “Until we can leave?”
It’s been a tense day, with all of us hanging in the living room, not much else to do except sit around, watch TV, and seethe. “I don’t know. Rafe said he’s coming by later. We can ask him.”
