Page 125 of Only Be Mine

My breath came too fast, too shallow.

I stared at the phone, my fingers numb.

Confident it’s him this time.

I hit replay.

The words didn’t soften the second time.

My knees gave out, and I sank to the floor, my back hitting the cabinet as the voicemail ended.

A sound escaped me, thin and broken, as my hand flew to my mouth. The room tilted, the edges blurring as nausea surged.

Another voicemail notification appeared.

Seth - 1 new message

I didn’t open it right away. I couldn’t.

My hands were shaking so badly I had to brace my wrist against my thigh before pressing play.

“Cate,” Seth’s voice said, low and urgent. “They found him. It’s real this time. Look, there’s something you need to know. Call me.”

I shut the phone off and curled forward, pressing my forehead to my knees.

The soda crept across the floor toward my bare foot, cold and sticky. I wiped at it with a towel, my movements clumsy and automatic. Anything to keep my hands busy.

I needed to hear a voice.

I turned the phone back on and dialed Seth’s number.

It rang four times.

“Hello?” a woman answered, her voice thick with sleep.

“I…” I stopped. “I’m sorry. I think I have the wrong number.”

“You looking for Seth?”

“Yes.”

“Hold on.” I heard sheets rustle, then a muffled protest. “Seth,” she called. “It’s Cate.”

There was a pause, then the line shifted.

“Cate?” Seth’s voice came through, suddenly alert. “Are you okay?”

“What happened?” I asked. “They said they found him. I need to know…”

“Not over the phone,” he said gently but firmly. “Where are you?”

“At my townhouse.”

“Okay.” He exhaled. “Just stay there. I’ll be there soon.”

“I don’t understand,” I whispered. “How did…”

“Cate,” he interrupted softly. “Just stay where you are.”