by J. L. Perry
“Fucking hell Mason. Fucking ring me as soon as you find her.”
“I will.”
“I’ll make a few calls to the department while I’m waiting to hear back from you,” he says, then I hear him exhale. “She better be okay, arsehole.”
“Look, I appreciate your help mate. Don’t worry about your sister. I’ll find her and make things right. You know how much I fucking love her. I’d never let anything bad happen to her.” I mean what I say too, even though I kind of feel like a hypocrite after the way I treated her earlier.
I start pacing while I wait for rob. What is taking him so fucking long? I know he said he’d come straight over, but with every minute that passes, my anxiety grows. I’m going out of my fucking mind. I have no idea where she is or if she’s okay. She was pretty shaken up when she left here. Shit, just thinking about the look of terror on that sweet face of hers when I put my hand through the wall is making my chest hurt.
If anything happens to her I’ll never forgive myself.
A few minutes later I hear Jacinta’s ringtone. Someone is calling her phone. Maybe it’s her. I quickly run into the kitchen so I don’t miss it. The name Jenny is flashing up on the screen. Fuck, it’s not her. Usually I wouldn’t answer someone else’s phone but this is important. What if this Jenny person, whomever she is, knows where I can find Red?
“Hello,” I say breathlessly.
“Yes hello. I was looking for Jacinta. Maybe I dialled the wrong number.” Shit! She obviously has no idea where Red is if she’s ringing to speak with her.
“No this is her number, she’s not here at the moment. Can I take a message?”
“Ummm…I was with her earlier today. We exchanged numbers and I was just ringing to make sure her and Blake are okay. How are they both doing? How is Jacinta’s hand? Did she go and get an X-ray? Are you Blake’s father?” Fuck, this lady can talk. She just asked me four questions without even taking a breath. She sounds older and quite sweet, but right now I’m not in the fucking mood for this.
“Blake’s fine. He is here with me,” I answer as politely as I can. “I can get Jacinta to call you when she gets back if you like.”
That’s if I can fucking find her!
“Okay that would be great. You would have been so proud of her today. She was so brave and courageous. I don’t think I would have been able to do what she did. You can tell she really loves your son. She was so wonderful with him.”
Again, I don’t think she took a breath when she spoke.
Any other time I would find her babbling amusing. But right now it was annoying the shit out of me. I just need to get out of here and find my girl. Plus, her telling me how great Jacinta was today, again makes me feel like a huge arsehole for the way I treated her.
“I’ll tell her you called as soon as she gets home,” I say.
“Okay that would be great. If she’s not feeling up to talking or it’s late, tell her I will call her tomorrow.”
“I will. Thank you for calling.”
Finally. I sigh deeply as I end the call. As I go to put Jacinta’s phone back into her purse, I notice the photo she has on her screen saver. It is a picture of her and Blake. They’re both pulling a funny face. It makes me smile, and brings a lump to my throat at the same time.
Fuck, I love her so much!
Not just because she’s a fucking angel and perfect in every way but, because of how wonderful she is with my boy.
There’s a knock at the door and it takes a few seconds to register. I hope it is Jacinta, but I can practically guarantee it’s not. It’s either Rob or the pizza guy. I hope it’s fucking Rob. I need to get out of here and go find her. I won’t be able to breathe easy until I know she is okay.
Thankfully, it’s Rob. After I give him a brief rundown of what happened today, I head into Blake’s bedroom to I can say goodbye.
“Hey buddy,” I say. “I’ve got to go out for a little bit. I’ve called Uncle Rob and he is going to stay here with you until I get back.”
“Where’s Jazzi?” Fuck, I was hoping to get out of here without having to explain anything to him.
“She had go out for a little bit. I’m going to go and get her. The pizza will be here any minute.” Good conversation diversion, especially, when it comes to Blake. I know my boy and as soon as you mention food everything else will vanish from his mind.
Thankfully it works. I ruffle the hair on his head when he gets up off the bed. He follows me out into the lounge room so he can say hello to Rob. He loves his Uncle Rob. He’s kind of like a surrogate Grandfather to Blake, since he doesn’t have one. Well, not one that I would ever introduce him to anyway.
I squat down and give Blake a hug before I go. I really hate leaving him after everything that happened today. But, I don’t have a choice. The only other person that means as much to me as him, needs me.
Well, maybe she doesn’t need me, but I fucking need her and I need to know she’s okay. She probably won’t want anything to do with me after today. That thought brings a lump to my throat again. I’m going to put that thought out of my mind. I need to focus on finding her first. Hopefully, the rest will work itself out in time.
Fuck, I hope so.
****
Jacinta
I don’t know how long I’ve been wandering around but it’s starting to get dark. I’m still not sure what I’m going to do. I could always get a cab to Brooke’s house. She’d pay for it at the other end but showing up unannounced is rude. What if she has visitors or even worse, isn’t home? What do I do then? Especially since I’d still have a cab fare to pay.
As soon as I snap out of my funk I look around at my surroundings. I’m not far away from the apartment building. I must have been walking around in circles. I have no clue because I wasn’t really paying attention. I’m zoned out at the moment. Not only does my heart hurt but, the pain in my hand is almost unbearable. It’s so swollen. I’m pretty sure it’s broken.
I decide to sit down on the bench in the park. No point rushing home. I’m only going to sit in the hallway since I don’t have the key. There’s no way I’m going back to Mason’s to ask him for it either. I will sort something out in the morning.
Once I’m seated I close my eyes, trying to think of a way out of this mess. All the events from this afternoon consume my mind. The tears start to fall again.
I’m so wrapped up in my thoughts, having my own little pity party, I don’t even realise someone has sat down beside me. When they place their hand on my leg, I jump.
“Sorry,” the female voice says. “I didn’t mean to scare you. I was walking to my car and noticed you sitting here. You look upset so I thought I’d stop and see if you’re okay.”
I look up without speaking. Great, she must think I’m a freak. Her face looks kind and her smile is beautiful. I’d say she’s probably in her early thirties. Not overly attractive but looks have never been a big thing to me. It’s what’s on the inside that counts.
Eventually I speak. “Ummm…yes…I’m fine thanks.”
“Well you don’t look fine to me,” she says with a raised eyebrow. Okay then. I suppose she has a point. I move my hand up to wipe my eyes. Her gaze moves from my eyes to my swollen hand.
“Oh, my god! What happened to you hand?”
I shrug my shoulders. “I hurt it.”
“I can see that, silly. Have you had a doctor look at it?”
“No. I’m locked out of my apartment so I don’t have my keys, or purse.”
“Okay that settles it, you’re coming with me.”
“Excuse me?”
“You’re coming with me. I’m going to drive you to the hospital.”
“Thank you, but no.”
“Why?”
“Because I don’t know you.”
She laughs at my comment. “You have nothing to be frightened of. Trust me you are a lot safer getting in the car with me, then you are sitting in this park alone at night.” Okay she has a point.
&
nbsp; She extends her hand to me. “I’m Abigail, everybody calls me Ab or Abby.”
“Hi, I’m Jacinta,” I say as I reach for her hand. She looks down at my bruised and battered hand, lightly grabbing hold of my little finger. We both laugh.
“Come,” she says as she stands up. “Let’s go and get that hand seen to.”
I know it’s crazy to even consider getting into a car with a stranger. Usually I would never entertain the thought. But, there’s something about her. I feel safe with her for some reason. I’m certain she has no other interior motive, other than to help me. Well I hope so. I’ll guess I will find out soon enough. I stand up and follow her across the park.
“My car is over there,” she says as she points to an old beat up VW beetle that’s parked on the curb. “Her name is Betty. She’s not much to look at, but I love her. She gets me from A to B.” Her comment makes me smile. I can’t believe she has a name for her car, and Betty no less.
Betty the Beetle.
CHAPTER EIG
HTEEN
Mason
I’ve been bashing on her door for over five minutes, she still hasn’t answered. I’m pretty sure she isn’t home but I brought her keys with me just in case. I know how stubborn she can be. I’m going to let myself in to make sure.
She isn’t here. Now I’m really starting to worry. I make my way to the elevator and down to the lobby. I have no idea where to start looking. I decide to walk around the area for a while. Her car’s still parked downstairs. She has to be around here somewhere. I fucking miss her. I want her back. I need her in my life. We both do.
I walk around for over an hour. Fucking nothing. I’m starting to panic. I decide to head back and get my bike. I’m racking my brain as to where she may be. Then I remember the studio where she teaches dance. Maybe her friend Brooke knows where she is.
Thankfully, I brought Jacinta’s phone with me. I pull it out of my pocket and search through her contacts until I find Brooke’s number. I dial it.
“Hey Jaz,” she says when she answers.
“Hi is this Brooke?”
“Yes, who’s this?”
“It’s Mason…ummm, her boyfriend.” Well I’m probably her ex-boyfriend, but I’m not going to think about that right now.
“Oh hi, Mason. Is everything okay with Jacinta?” I can already hear the worry in her voice.
“So, you haven’t seen her?”
“No why, is she missing?”
“We had a bit of a fight earlier and she left. Her bag, phone and keys are still at my place. I’ve been walking around for over an hour and so far no luck. I’m starting to get worried. That’s why I called you, in case you knew where she was.”
“Shit! No, I haven’t heard from her. Where are you? I’ll call my father and get him to come and sit with the kids. My husband and I will come and help you look.”
“Really? I hate to trouble you, but with Connor being in Melbourne I could really use all the help I can get. It’s dark now and I hate the thought of her being out here on her own.”
“It’s no bother. I love that girl like a sister. I’d do anything for her. Give me a few minutes to make some calls and I’ll call you back.”
“Thanks Brooke. I appreciate it.”
“I’ll call you back on this number in a few minutes.”
I end the call and slide Red’s phone into my pocket. I make my way back towards the apartment building to get my bike. I’ll wait for Brooke to call back before I take off. I’ll never hear the phone over the roar of the engine.
I’m pacing while I wait for the call back. Finally it rings. “We are leaving the house now. My sister-in-law is watching the kids for me until my dad arrives. Where do you want to meet?”
“Well I’ve looked all around the area where we live. Do you think she may have gone to the studio?”
“No I’ve already called there. They haven’t seen her.”
We eventually agree on a place to meet. I’ve never met Brooke or her husband before. “We should be there in ten minutes. We’ll be in a black Mercedes.”
Five minutes later I pull up at our agreed meeting place. They’re not here yet. I kill the engine but I don’t get off. Where are you babe? Fuck, I am so worried. I take off my helmet and rub my hands over my face. What if something has happened to her? I get my phone out of my pocket to check it, just in case. I have three miss calls from Connor and two messages.
Shit!
There’s no point calling him back. What am I going to tell him? It is only going to make him worry more than he already is. I slide it back into my pocket just as Brooke and her husband pull up beside me. He winds down his window. I put the stand down on my bike and get off, walking over to the driver’s side window. “Hi. I’m Mason,” I say.
Brooke’s husband extends his hand. “Hi. I’m Logan. This is my wife Brooke.” She leans over in her seat and extends her hand to me. Wow, she’s fucking beautiful. She has nothing on my Red, but definitely a stunner.”
“Hi. I’ve been looking forward to meeting you. Jaz talks about you all the time,” she informs me.
I bet that won’t happen anymore.
“So, what’s the plan?” asks Logan.
“I don’t really have one. I was just going to drive around and search for her.”
“Okay, well that’s a start I suppose. How about we meet back here in an hour if we don’t find her and we’ll reassess our next step?” Logan says.
I look down at my watch. Fuck, it’s been over two and a half hours since she walked out on me. Anything could have happened to her in that time. I suddenly feel like I’m going to be sick. Worst case scenarios flood my mind. Fucking hell. Where the fuck is she?
Brooke obviously notices the change in my body language. “Don’t worry Mason, we’ll find her. She’s sensible. She wouldn’t do anything stupid.” I know where she’s coming from but it still doesn’t ease the overwhelming amount of anxiety I’m feeling. It’s all the other crazy fuckers walking the streets at night that worry me.
They better not lay one finger on my girl!
****
We’ve spent two fucking hours driving around looking for her and still can’t find her. I can tell you I’m on the verge of losing my shit. I’m on my way back to meet Brooke and Logan again. After meeting up after the first hour, we decided to drive around for one more hour. We agreed if we still can’t find her we’ll try something different.
When I pull up next to their car, the first thing I notice is Brooke is wrapped in Logan’s arms. She looks like she’s been crying. Like me, her earlier optimism of finding Red is gone.
“How about we head back to the apartment building, just in case she has gone back there?” Logan suggests. “If she hasn’t, maybe we should think about calling the police.” As soon as the words are out of his mouth, my heart drops into the pit of my stomach and my legs turn to jelly. Luckily I’m still straddling my bike. I bring my hands up to rub my face, they’re trembling.
Fuck, please let her be okay!
I’m now chanting that over and over in my head. Please let her be okay…Please let her be okay…Please let her be okay. If something has happened to her I don’t know what I’ll do. Why did I have to lose my temper like that? If I hadn’t have done what I did, I could be snuggled up with her in my bed. Instead, I’m riding around the city in an absolute fucking panic wondering if I’m ever going to see her again.
Logan and Brooke agree to follow me back to the apartment building. I park my bike next to Jacinta’s car. Just seeing it again makes my chest hurt. On our way up to her floor, I find myself praying when we step off the elevator, that we’ll find her sitting in the corridor.
No such luck.
There’s no sign of her. My heart sinks. I look over at Brooke once I unlock Red’s apartment door. Her eyes have pooled with tears. Logan wraps his arms around her. I can see how much he loves his wife. Looking at them together makes me envious. That could have been Jacinta and I in a few years’
time, if I hadn’t gone and fucked it up.
I hate myself right now. After doing a quick search of the apartment, we settle in the lounge room to discuss what we are going to do next. All this waiting and not knowing is fucking torture.
We all sit down. I rest my elbows on my knees and put my head in my hands. I feel like crying. We don’t say anything for a few minutes. Finally, I put my head up. Brooke is crying again so Logan pulls her up onto his lap. Fuck, I’d give anything to hold Jacinta in my arms right now.
Logan suggests we contact the police. As much as I don’t want to admit it, that’s probably a good idea. Other than Cassandra and Brooke, Jacinta doesn’t really have anyone else she is close too. There is nowhere else she could be.
I’m in no position at the moment to make that call. I’m grateful when Logan offers to do it. He gets up and leaves the room. I’m relieved. Hearing those words right now, might actually send me over the edge.
“What exactly happened between you two?” Brooke asks. I explain everything, starting with Blake and Roxy.
“Wow, that’s awful. Your poor son.”
“I was in a panic when I got home. I’ve only had him with me for a few months. I love that little guy, he’s my life. The thought of losing him now is just, just…incomprehensible,” I say.
“When Jacinta told me Blake’s mother grabbed him while she was talking to someone else, I lost it and I screamed at her. She got upset and tried to leave. I begged her not to go. When she didn’t listen I lost my temper and put my fist through the wall.” I stop talking for a few moments. Thinking of her cowering when I did that, chokes me up.
“She…she,” again I go to speak but have to stop. I put my head in my hands and try to hold back the tears that are threatening to fall.
Brooke gets up off the chair and makes her way across the room. She kneels down beside me and rubs my back. “We’ll find her okay. Under the circumstances I understand why she left and also why you were angry. I presume she has told you about her past.”
I nod my head. I still don’t feel confident enough to speak. “Just give her a little bit of time when she comes home. I know she loves you. She told me. You can’t just turn those kinds of feelings off,” she whispers. “You will need to control your temper around her though. Her childhood damaged her in a way. She doesn’t cope well in those kind of situations.”