Like this was news to her.
“Where the fuck have you been? And where was Saylor’s security? What the fuck have you been doing?”
“I didn’t think—I didn’t know…” Her voice was husky and tearful when she spoke again. “I didn’t book any security. I didn’t think she really needed it. I was going to drive her, but she gave me attitude, so I left.”
“You left her? Where?”
“At your house!” she wailed. “She must’ve driven herself or booked a car service. I don’t know.”
“You are so fucking fired. I don’t want to see your fucking face ever again. Danny will send you your final check. I—”
“Wait, Mal, please. Please don’t fire me. I can’t, I don’t…I love you so much. You don’t even kno—”
“And I don’t wanna fucking know. I’m married. To Saylor. Who I fucking love. And who you put in jeopardy because of your bullshit. And I’m not putting up with it anymore. You. Are. Done!”
I punched the red end call button and flung my phone away in aggravation.
I don’t know how I missed it. But I hadn’t seen Naomi’s weirdness until Saylor pointed it out this morning. And now this.
What the fuck?
I didn’t know what to do.
Who to call.
How was I going to find my wife?
I’d never felt so powerless before in my entire life.
Then my phone rang.
I dove for it, thinking it must be Saylor calling again only the display screen readMom.
I almost didn’t answer it. I needed to find Saylor, but it was my mom so I did.
“Ma, I don’t have time to talk right now. Saylor is—”
“I know very well what Saylor is. Why the hell aren’t you here?”
“Here!” I yelped. “You’re there? Where is there? I’ll be there as soon as—”
“Okay, you gotta take a breath, Mal. I can hear the panic from here. And that’s not going to help anyone, especially when I tell you where we are.”
“What the fuck, Ma? Answer the fucking question! I don’t have time for stupid platitudes right now. I’m going out of my mind here.”
“I know. I can hear it in your voice. Promise me that you’re not driving. I don’t care where you are—who you have to call—do not get behind the wheel right now.”
“I can’t just—”
“We’ll drive him, Missus Holt!” Leif called over my shoulder like the kiss-ass he’d always been.
“Leif! Thank god, you’re there.” My mom gasped in relief.
I was ready to strangle someone. Literally. I didn’t care who. I was aching to get my hands on someone. “Where. Are. You!”
“We’re at Cedars-Sinai Marina del Rey Hospital. There was some concern that Saylor…”
I didn’t hear the rest of what my mom said.
