"You still haven't talked to Blakely?"
Of course, he can't just leave it alone.
The answer is no. I haven't talked to Blakely. She stayed at my house the night her apartment was ransacked but woke up the next morning distant. She said she needed space. She grabbed her bag and went to Lexie's. She lives close to the school, and the fact that no one knows where she is makes me feel a little better, but I still wish she'd let me protect her. I want her desperately, but I need her to be okay. As long as I am connected to Ryan, she's not okay.
He's still laying low, I've tried to reach out to him, thinking I could make a deal with him to leave Blakely alone, but I suspect he knows that I am miserable without her. That is enough for him right now. He knows I won't put her in danger. That's why I haven't pushed talking to her or busted down her door already. The second he thinks we are happy together, he will retaliate to make sure I don't have an ounce of happiness. So if that means I have to be miserable until I can find a way to take him down, I will.
"No, I haven't talked to her," I state blatantly.
"Does she know you're leaving?"
"I said I haven't talked to her," I repeat.
He stops pushing, burying his nose into the computer as soon the flight attendant gives him the okay.
I am headed to California for the next several weeks with Carter to look into some investment properties.
Turns out I have family there, a family I'm not sure knows I exist but nonetheless biological family. Turns out Russ had a sister, so I have an aunt and some cousins. Part of me thinks I should seek them out and find out more about where I come from. The other part of me isn't sure they'd want to know me or my mess. After going through the boxes left inside the storage unit turns out there's a lot about him I didn't know.
I push my burdened thoughts aside and attempt to focus on the real reason I'm here.
We land in Dallas and hop on our next plane to San Francisco, we board first, and everyone is still taking their seats when my phone vibrates with a text.
My heart nearly beats out of my chest when I see Blakely's name.
Blakely-We need to talk.
I fumble through the letters trying to type a quick text. I don't have time to call her.
Judson- Is everything okay? Are you safe? On a plane to San Francisco. I can call you when I get there.
She responds almost immediately.
Blakely-I’m okay. I'd rather talk in person, call me when you get back in town.
I'm ready to push my fist through the seat in front of me. I don't know when I'll be back in town. I chuck my phone into my bag and decide when I get to San Francisco, I'll call her anyway.
The plane lands a couple hours later, and I'm dialing her number before I get off the jet bridge. It doesn't even ring, "Hi, it's Blakely, leave a message or don't…"
I call Jay to let him know where I am and to go by and check on Blakely. He agrees, sounding reluctant to get involved.
We find a car and head to our new penthouse in the city for the next few weeks.
The minutes drag as I wait all evening for Jay to call me back, but he doesn't, and I'm growing impatient, so I send him a text after dinner.
Judson- Did you check on Blakely?
Jameson- Her apartment is empty. She must've moved in with Lexie. I'll go by there tomorrow or send Hanna.
After several more attempts at calling her, I put the phone down, deciding five voicemails is probably enough.
The mini bar is fully stocked, so I pour myself a glass of whiskey. Could this be any worse? I guess it could always be worse, I assure myself. The girl I love hasn't spoken to me in weeks, and the second I hop on a plane, it's time to talk. The timing definitely could not be worse, that’s for sure. I pop the lid off and refill my glass, adding a little more than usual. Carter stalks into the kitchen and leans against the counter, sliding the bottle toward him.
"You sure you wanna drink that?"
"Pretty sure, dick." He laughs and grabs the glass out of my hand, setting it on the counter.
"I just got an email." He grins and crosses his arms over his chest.