“Are you still working?”
“Yeah, I have to stop in at the bondsman before I can head back to the hotel for the night.”
“I’m guessing you still haven’t found the guy yet?” I prompt while covering my mouth so he doesn’t hear me yawning, since the last time I yawned with him on the phone he ended our call, telling me that I needed to get some rest.
“Not yet, but I’m close. His people are on edge and tired of me knocking on their doors looking for him. Eventually, one of them is gonna give him up. Me being around is taking money out of their pockets, since they can’t go on selling dope or bitches while I’m watching them.”
“I hope you get him soon. I miss you,” I confess, ignoring the part about the drugs and bitches, since it’s liable to freak me out. The phone goes quiet except for the sound of his breathing, and I wonder why I didn’t just keep my mouth closed. “I—”
“Don’t make plans for tomorrow night,” he growls, cutting me off before I can finish whatever it was I was going to say.
“What?”
“You just gave me the incentive to get this done.”
“Oh,” I breathe as warmth fills my body from the top of my head to the tips of my toes.
“Get some sleep. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Night, Sage,” I get out, right before the phone goes dead. Placing my cell on the bedside table, I don’t fall asleep right away. I lie here for a long time looking at the night sky while thinking about Sage Mayson.
WALKING INTO THE shop the next morning with a cup of hot tea in my hand, I give Ellie and Jax a smile when I see them standing at the front desk.
“Hey, guys,” I say, then feel my eyes widen when Jax comes forward, grabbing me up in a hug that squeezes the breath right out of me. Hearing Ellie laugh, I hug him back awkwardly while trying to keep hold of my purse and tea without damaging us both.
“Been worried about you,” he states, letting me go, and I give him what I hope is a reassuring smile.
“I’m okay, or getting to where I will be okay,” I state, and he nods at me then moves back over to stand close to Ellie, wrapping his arm around her waist.
“I told Jax last night about Frankie’s offer. He thinks we should go for it. Well… that is, if you want to?” she urges, suddenly sounding nervous.
“I do,” I reply, setting my purse and tea on the counter. “I talked to Sage about it a little, and he agrees we should figure out how to move forward.”
“You talked to Sage?” Jax questions, sounding surprised, and I look at him and find his eyes studying me closely.
“Yeah.”
“He never calls anyone when he’s working.”
“Oh,” I mutter, wondering what it means that he’s called me every night since he’s been gone, and he’s also sent texts checking in during the day.
“I told you he claimed her,” Ellie says dryly, and I turn my eyes to her and narrow them. “What? He did.” She shrugs, smiling.
“Anyway.” I roll my eyes at her, and her smile turns into a knowing grin. “I guess we just need to wait and talk to the agent to see exactly what Frankie is asking. Then we need to figure out how to do this, how to get financing and all that. And I know there are some things we’ve said we would change about this place if given the chance, so now that it’s a real possibility, we need to figure out what of those things are a priority and how much it will all cost.”
“I’m so excited,” Ellie whispers, and I see a wide smile on her face that I know mirrors my own. Feeling guilt instantly wash over me for being as happy as I am, I drop my eyes from hers as my muscles start to get tight.
“Kim?”
“Yeah?” I answer, keeping my eyes down, but that still doesn’t stop me from hearing the concern in her voice.
“You okay?”
“Totally,” I lie, trying to shake off the sudden sadness that has settled over me. I know I’m alive and I have a life to live, but shouldn’t I feel something more than I’ve been feeling? Shouldn’t I be in bed crying my eyes out over my sister?
“Have you talked to anyone?” Jax asks, and I pick up my cup of tea and hold it between my suddenly cold hands as I look at him.
“About what?” I question, and he tips his head to the side.
“About Kelly?”
“I’ve talked to my parents, Chris, and Sage,” I fib, and he shakes his head like that answer disappoints him in some way.
“Would you be willing to talk to someone else?” he inquires, and I frown.