“As I said, she’ll be there, Mr. Monroe,” Sarah snaps at him, interrupting my rant.
“Ten o’clock, sharp. Don’t be late.” He angrily huffs, then walks away.
All the emotion of the past twenty-four hours is exhausting, so completely mentally and physically draining.
Callie kisses me on the cheek. “Let Aiden know we’re all here for him, won’t you, darling?”
“Of course.” I sniffle, holding back my tears. “Sorry for yelling at your lawyer.”
“Oh, honey, he had it coming.” She squeezes me, and then the family walks away to their chauffeured vehicle.
“Do you want to stay at my place again tonight, Jeni?” Sarah asks softly.
I shake my head. “I’ll be fine, but thanks for your support. You too, Chris. You guys have been incredible.” I give hug them both.
“Call me if you need anything… anything at all, day or night. Promise me?”
“Of course, I will. I promise.” I give her another hug.
Sarah and Chris head off as Mike takes my arm in his and walks me to the car.
“Thank you, Mike.”
“My pleasure, Miss Taylor.”
Mike walks me to the elevator, pushes the button, then he hands me a business card. “Miss Taylor, this is my direct number. If you need anything, call me. I’m only a few floors away.”
I manage a half-smile. “Thank you. I will. I’ll see you tomorrow morning?”
“Yes, Miss Taylor. Shall I come up to the apartment to personally escort you to the car tomorrow?”
“Yes, thanks, Mike.”
The elevator doors open, and I proceed to our apartment where I stand, alone. Taking a look around, the silence surrounding me is deafening. I walk to the ensuite to take a shower in an attempt to try and wash off the stains of the past twenty-four hours. As I step into our large shower, it feels empty without Aiden. The water runs over my back as I lean my forehead against the cold tiles. Closing my eyes, I imagine what he must be feeling, what it must be like being held in jail. All I can hope for is he’s being treated fairly and not being abused by the other inmates. I know he’s strong, he works out, so I’m sure he can hold his own, but there’s always that niggling doubt which is trickling around in my brain, hoping and praying he will be okay. A tear falls down my cheek as I sigh. I swipe it away and turn my face under the water.
Panic, fear, and confusion begin to surround me.
I miss him.
I love him.
I want him back.
Turning the faucet off, I step out of the shower, wrap myself in a towel and make my way to the bedroom—the empty bedroom where the sheets are still in disarray from Sunday night’s lovemaking.
Knowing what I’m going to wear, I walk to the closet and pick up his gray sweatpants and T-shirt. After dressing, I step to the bed and lie down on his side, smelling Aiden’s scent on his pillow. I hug it tightly and climb under the covers.
It’s only eleven thirty in the morning, but I’m overwhelmingly tired and drift into unconsciousness.
Without Aiden.
Just like it’s going to be from now on.
And I don’t like it.
Not. One. Little. Bit.