Page 99 of Finding Us
His gaze moves to Blake, who’s still fast asleep on the lounge. “How is he?”
“Quiet, but okay.” I think I’ll put him in bed with me tonight, just in case.
“The way he clung to my sister like she was his lifeline at the police station, tugged at my heart. She adores him you know, and she’d never purposely put him in harm’s way.”
“I know. Is there any news on Annalise?”
“We are holding her overnight. She’ll go in front of the magistrate tomorrow morning. She’s been charged with attempted kidnapping, two counts of assault—on Jaz and the security guard—and possession. We found drugs on her.”
“Why doesn’t that surprise me? Do you think she’ll serve time for this?”
“Absolutely. At least a few years, I’m going to push for the maximum. She hasn’t been keeping the best company, and as a result has racked up a pretty extensive rap sheet. Maybe prison will help straighten her out. If nothing else, at least Blake will be safe with her off the streets.”
“Do you know why she did this? She was happy to see the back of him when she handed him over to me.”
“Nope. Probably an attempt to extort more money from you.”
I hand Jacinta’s bag to him. “Surely she hasn’t blown through all that money already.”
“No clue, but I’ll look into it and see what I can find out.”
“Thanks.”
He lifts his arm, tapping me on the back. “Don’t worry, mate, everything will work out in the long run.”
“Hmm.” I’m not sure if he’s referring to the Annalise situation or Jacinta, but I’m not asking for clarification. I can only hope that in time Red will forgive me for what I did. “Will you tell your sister I’m sorry?”
“I will. Just give her some time.”
Once he’s gone, I walk over to Blake, scooping him into my arms. The movement has him stirring. “Is Jazzie here?” he asks.
“No, buddy. I’m just carrying you to bed. Do you want to sleep with me tonight?”
“Okay,” he answers, rubbing his eyes. “Will I see Jazzie tomorrow for my birthday?”
My heart sinks. With all the chaos of today, I completely forgot about that, and all his presents are downstairs in her apartment.Fuck.He was living with me when he turned five, but I didn’t even know it was his birthday. I only found out it had passed when I applied for his birth certificate. I wanted to make this one special for him, but now he’s going to wake up tomorrow with nothing to open.
I look over at the clock beside the bed; it’s just after 6 am. I barely slept a wink last night because my mind wouldn’t stop turning. Is this what heartbreak feels like? If it is, it can go fuck itself … with a cactus. I’d like to think we can get past this, but my gut tells me there’s a possibility we won’t.
Flicking back the covers, I rise from the bed and head into the bathroom. At least Blake slept soundly last night.
After I piss, I wash my hands and splash water onto my face. I glance into the mirror and see the dark circles under my eyes. I racked my brain last night for ways I can make things better between me and Red, but I don’t know if I can. She doesn’t know how I truly feel inside, and the possibility of potential violence is what kept her single for so long. What I did last night would be a huge red flag to anyone, except me, because I know in my heart I’d never lay a finger on her. It goes against everything I believe in.
I wipe my face with a towel and head out to the kitchen to make myself a coffee. I’m probably going to need more than one to get me through the day.
When I reach the end of the hallway, I come to an abrupt halt. It’s the last thing I’m expecting to see, but knowing Red the way I do, I shouldn’t be surprised.
The dining table is full of giftbags of all shapes and sizes. There’s multicoloured helium balloons and a giant silver number six in the middle of them. A happy 6thbirthday sign hangs from the wall behind it. The sight chokes me up. I have no idea how she pulled this off, or when; she must’ve snuck into the house while we were sleeping. I’m surprised I never heard her with how little I actually slept.
After what I did last night, this just speaks volumes about her and her kind and beautiful heart. My boy hit the jackpot having someone like her in his life, and I had to go and fuck it up for us both.
My heart sinks when I approach the table and see a lone key sitting there. It’s the one I gave her for my apartment. Things are worse than I thought. The fact that she’s returning this means it’s truly over … for both Blake and I. Was this her final goodbye?
I slide the key off the table and into the pocket of my sweats. My heart’s heavy as I head towards the kitchen, and it’s the first time since I was a kid that I feel like I’m on the verge of tears.
When I open the fridge to retrieve the milk, I almost break when I see the double stacked tray of cupcakes sitting inside—a little number six on each one. There’s a Post-it Note stuck to the top.
For Blake to take to school today.
