I couldn't lay there anymore, so I got up, careful not to move the bed and took my phone out into the living room. The fire had died down, so I threw a couple more logs into the stove and went to make a cup of tea.
I quickly typed out a message to Brody.
Me: You there?
It was useless, I didn't know why I was torturing myself like this. He was out searching for these kids, he was safe and fine, I told myself. I poured the boiling water into my cup and that was when my screen lit up. I rubbed my eyes, at first thinking I was dreaming, but the message sat there, loud and clear.
Brody: Hey, baby, I'm here
Me: Are you coming home soon?
Brody: Still searching, just came back in to get warm and some food. I'm exhausted
Me: I'm glad you’re okay. please come back to me
Brody: No worries, baby, I'm gonna get some sleep, have to be back out in a couple hours
Me: Dream of me
Brody: Always
I sat, staring at the words on my screen. What a mess I was in. The man I was in a relationship with was sound asleep down the hall, in the exact same bed not twenty-four hours ago, I had the best sex I think I'd ever had with Brody. Here I sat, texting the man I was in love with. My gut churned, everything had been fine until I opened the front door tonight and came face to face with reality.
My stomach turned at the thought of having to choose. I was going to crush one of them, and I would have to live with that. On one hand, Brody had walked away from me, leaving me to fend when I had needed him the most. How could I ever be certain that he wouldn't do it again?
Ray, on the other hand, had always helped, no matter what I had asked of him. However, he didn't treat me the way I should be treated, and he didn't support me in the things I did, things that were important to me.
I took my tea and laptop and curled up into my armchair with a blanket.
“Please tell me what to do, Jackson” I whispered into the air. “Give me a sign, any sign. It is Christmas after all.” I started feverishly typing away, praying that somehow, he would answer me.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Cass
The storm lasted two daysstraight. Brody still hadn't returned, the news said they were still searching for those two skiers. My stomach was in knots as I got ready for work. I had barely slept or eaten since Brody had left. I made sure Missy had enough food and water for today as I would be later tonight than normal.
I had just gotten to the shop and put the coffee on when Ray came in the back door.
“Morning Cass.”
“Morning.” I stepped out of the small kitchen, glancing at my watch. It was almost six. I had so much to do and a lot was weighing on my mind.
“I wanted to stop and drop off breakfast to you,” he said, handing me a bag from the coffee shop.
“Thanks,” I said, taking the bag but avoiding his eyes.
“Cass, is something wrong?”
“Why would you ask that?”
“You just don't seem yourself.”
“I don't seem myself? You've got to be kidding. How can you even say that? I'm worried about Brody.”
“Where is your lover? Thought he was supposed to be helping you?” he questioned.
I felt the tears burn my eyes. Once again, I didn't understand why he was doing this, anyone who had watched the news knew where they were.