“I’m sorry for yelling at you, Ave, I’m just…I’m just losing my damn mind right now,” I say as I let myself into the bakery.
“Don’t go in there yet, Nate. Take a few minutes to calm down before you go in or she’ll never listen to you. Do you hear me?”
“Yeah, I gotcha,” I reply.
“I love you, Nate.”
“Love you, too,” I tell my baby sister. I find the key ring right away and single out the key marked with the A. Before I head back out, I take a few deep, calming breaths. I’m known for being able to remain cool and collected under pressure, but this has me completely losing my shit. She can’t be gone.
I slowly make my way up the stairs. I knock one more time before placing the key in the knob. When Lia doesn’t answer, I let myself inside the apartment.
“Lia,” I call out, taking in the small apartment.
Most of the furnishings were here when Lia rented the place - all used pieces from my parents’ house over the years. There are still a few personal items lying around. Dishes are still in the sink untouched. I walk into her bedroom and notice how empty it feels. There’s a little bit of clothes hanging in the closet, but the majority is gone. I pull open the drawers and notice they’re practically empty. What little bit of items are left are strewn around like she just grabbed and took what she could.
I look around the room again and notice the white lace underwear sitting on the bed. I sit down and grab a hold of the delicate material. I grip the satin and lace tightly in my hand as I scan the room one last time. It smells like Lia, but her presence is gone. She’s fucking gone.
I give the apartment one last look over and finally make my way to the door. I lock the door behind me as I step out into the bright September sun. It’s going to be a beautiful day for the day before Labor Day, and all I can think about is how much today blows. Today is the worst day ever.
I’m heading down the stairs when I notice a guy walking towards me.
“Can I help you?” I ask curtly as the guy approaches.
He’s tall, but not nearly as tall as I am. He’s a tad on the skinny side, has blond hair and eyes hidden behind a pair of dark aviator sunglasses.
“I was just looking for a friend,” he says, looking around the alley.
“Who’s that?” I ask, not wanting to deal with this man’s brand of asshole.
“Lia Walker,” he replies.
My antennas go up and I’m instantly on alert. Who is this guy?
“Lia’s not here,” I tell him, watching and gauging his reaction. I did notice he used her current name and not her birth name. That tells me he’s someone who has known her since she left Garrett. “Who are you?” I ask, my gut churning as I wait for his answer.
“I’m a friend from Memphis. She left a few weeks back and mentioned she might be heading this way,” the guy says.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name. I’m Nate,” I say as I step forward, extending my hand.
“Joe,” he replies, shaking firmly. “Lia and I were seeing each other before she up and left in the middle of the night. I’ve been looking for her for a month or so now,” he replies, dropping his gaze to the ground and kicking a rock with his boot.
Well, if that doesn’t sound all too familiar. Damn, am I gullible as shit. I fell for whatever line of BS she was shelling out. Just like this douche bag. Fan-fucking-tastic.
“Well, she’s not here anymore. She left for places unknown,” I tell the sap.
“Huh, okay. Well, thank you,” he says before turning and heading back the way he came.
I slip inside the Mustang and slam my fist into the dash, breaking the hard plastic and sending pain shooting through my arm. Shit! I can’t believe I was duped by her. I can’t believe I bought her crap. And worst of all, I can’t believe I love her enough that I would forget every other reason I should be upset right now, if I could just hold her in my arms one more time.
I drive back to my empty house on autopilot. I have no clue how I got here as I throw the car into park and step out. I look around one more time before heading inside my place. My place that I thought would be filled with Lia. Lia’s clothes. Lia’s girly shit on the bathroom sink. Lia’s favorite pickles on the top shelf next to her favorite light beer.
I grab the remote and turn on the television. It turns on to some sporting event, but the hell if I know what it is. I can’t concentrate enough to even know what sport I’m watching.
My phone rings a few minutes later. Avery.
“Hello?” I say into the phone after contemplating for a few rings on whether or not I should answer it.