Something my da sorely failed at doing.
But I’m going to be different. For Amy’s sake if not my own.
5
Amy
When Kerry left, he told me to trust him.
And I do, gods above, I do. Because I’m in love with him. Because I feel strongly that he loves me and actually does want the best for me. Maybe it’s still foolish of me, I don’t know, but I’ve lived with lots of people that only pretend to love me. My whole family feels like that. But Kerry?
He feels different.
Kerry left me here with a kiss on the temple and a promise to be back soon. But now, with no expectations lingering over me, I just sink into the couch and snack on stuff I found in the suite’s kitchen. I know Kerry would be happy I’m having them. I turn on the TV for a bit, but I find myself zoning out and missing what’s happening in the show, so I turn it off after half of an episode. Instead, I look out over the city, letting my thoughts flow through me freely.
Some quiet time is massively overdue, anyway. It gives me an opportunity to have a breather, thinking through the events of this week and my feelings for Kerry.
Which is exactlywhymy phone pings with a text from my grandmother. She probably sensed me having some peace and knew it was her time to strike, it seems like her.
Where are you?
I don’t know whether to laugh or scoff at the audacity of this woman.
Out for a walk, why?
It’s a lie, but I can’t bring myself to care. Or trust the woman that’s supposed to care about me and look out for me. Not when she’s only used me. My gut is telling me that I shouldn’t trust her.
Come back to the hotel. Now. We’re leaving.
My grip tightens on my phone. I glance back at the view out the window, realizing I must’ve zoned out for longer than I thought. My grandparents think they can play god.
I leave the conversation with my grandmother and go to my contacts, searching for Kerry’s name. I can’t help but giggle at his contact name that he put in my phone. Kerry (Husband). I tap it and type out a message as fast as my fingers will let me.
My grandmother texted me. She’s demanding I return to my hotel room and go with them. They’re leaving.
I tap my thigh, wishing he’d see my text and respond immediately. I know logically he can’t do that, but my anxiety is high enough that the wish remains.
I’ve gotten up and begun pacing when my phone dings again.
Amy? Where are you? We’re coming to find you.
My grandmother’s words makes panic shoot up my spine and grip my throat like a vice, but after a moment, I’m able to release the breath I’m holding when Kerry’s name pops up on my screen, calling me.
“Hello?”
“Leannán. Tell me you haven’t gone anywhere.”
“No, I haven’t. I’m still right where you left me.”
Kerry chuckles, making my chest feel light and fluttery. “That’s my girl. Stay put.”
I take a deep breath, looking over at the city. “I will. Uh, what if they come looking for me here? It’s not hard to figure out I may be here, whether by choice or by force.”
“You’re right. They’ll probably check there eventually. Maybe even soon. But I happen to know that the tracker they placed on your phone isn’t working, and I’ll be there before they decide to go to the lion’s lair. That’s not something they’ll do without checking every other possibility first.”
I practically choke on my spit. “They placed atrackeron my phone? And how exactly do you know all this?”
He chuckles again, deep and resonating in his chest, so low that the phone only barely picks it up. “Because I disabled it when I put one of my own on your phone, obviously. Along with a tap to hear all your phone calls and read your texts. You did good by texting me, by the way, leannán. I’m proud of you.”
