Page 14 of Heal Me, Love Me

“He didn’t push him away.”

“That’s not what I asked.”

I lifted a shoulder. “I saw enough, so I left and came straight here. I have to move out before they come back tomorrow.”

“We’ll help you,” my father offered.

Mom looked at him, then nodded. “We will.”

“I don’t need help.”

“I know,” Dad answered. “You’ve always been able to handle things on your own. That doesn’t mean you have to.”

Mom stood, wiping her face again. “You can use my SUV. The seats fold down.”

Dad glanced toward the entryway. “Where are you taking everything?”

I shrugged because I hadn’t thought that far ahead.

My mother’s expression softened. “Bring it here.”

“Mom.”

“No argument.” Her voice remained gentle but firm. “You’re staying here tonight. Tomorrow too, if you need.”

“I don’t want to drag you into this.”

“You knocked on our door,” she replied. “That’s what you’re supposed to do when your world falls apart.”

3

Keaton

It was after midnight,but I couldn’t sleep. Lying on top of the covers with the lights off and my eyes open, I stared at the ceiling, hoping for an answer that would make me feel less out of control.

The room was quiet, which should’ve made it easier to rest, especially after a fight, but my brain wouldn’t turn off. It kept circling the same thoughts, over and over, and wondering where the hell Rowan could be.

I checked my phone again, even though I already knew what I’d find. As expected, I saw no missed calls, no messages, no explanation. I slowly pushed myself upright, my phone still clutched in my hand. I knew staring at it wouldn’t make Rowan call, but that didn’t stop me from hoping.

The last message I’d sent begging him to answer me hadn’t changed. Delivered. Not read. It didn’t make sense.

The Rowan I knew always read his messages. Even when he was busy, even when he didn’t want to answer, he still saw them. The fact that he hadn’t read this one worried me in a way Icouldn’t ignore, no matter how many times I told myself not to jump to conclusions.

I leaned back against the headboard and scrubbed a hand down my face, exhaling slowly as I tried to keep my thoughts from going to the worst-case scenario.

Despite knowing he wouldn’t answer, I tried calling again. The phone rang once before going straight to voicemail, and I dropped it onto the bed beside me.

What the hell was I supposed to do? Go after him?

I didn’t know where to start. He could be anywhere, and I had no way of knowing if he was still in LA, had gone home to Sacramento, or was somewhere else entirely.

My meeting with Marcos in the morning also occupied my mind. Could I possibly blow that off? Could I walk away from something I’d been working toward for the last two years because I was spiraling? Even if I flew back to Sacramento, there was no guarantee I’d find Rowan. Meanwhile, staying in LA didn’t sit well either.

I closed my eyes for a second, but that didn’t help. All I saw was Rowan’s face. I saw the way we’d looked at each other earlier in the day with love and excitement for what our futures could look like.

“Fuck,” I groaned.

My phone buzzed against the mattress, and I grabbed it instantly, holding my breath as I looked down.