“Bri had the feeling this was about to happen,” Nathalie adds. “She said, and I quote, ‘I’m not surprised. Just a few weeks ago, when I offered her a partnership in my event management company, she said she was leaving soon.’”
That doesn’t sound like something Siobhan would do, then again, I never asked her about her plans for the future. I only told her to leave Luna Harbor. She’s too smart to live in a small town.
“Ladies, it wasn’t my fault, and as much as I’d love to stay and chat, I have to get ready to start my day.”
“Oh no, you’re not just going to wash your hands of this,” Nydia’s voice gets louder if that’s even possible. “You’ll find her, bring her back home, and fix your emotional constipation. I’m sick and tired of you.”
“What?”
“Nyd, stop,” I hear Mane on the other side of the line.
“He drove her away from us, her family. It’s not fair. I’m not going to lose my best friend—almost sister—because your brother is incapable of—”
“Nyd,” Manelik repeats.
She takes a deep breath and sighs. “Fine, we’ll look for her when we’re back and figure this out later. I hope you’re happy with what you did, Iskander Cantú. I don’t think I’ll ever forgive you for it.”
Nathalie and Nydia hang up at the same time. I don’t understand what I did or why they blame me for Siobhan’s absence.
She can’t stay in a town wasting her talent on a company that’ll never amount to much. One day, my grandfather will sell the company and whoever buys it will fire her. I did her a favor.
A few minutes later I get a text message from Manelik, demanding I find Siobhan and fix what I broke.
Iskander: I sent her a message. She’ll call me back, and we’ll come to an agreement. I’m willing to pay her a lot if she agrees to work for the brewery again.
Manelik: Stop talking like a heartless idiot. I can’t defend you if you keep being so fucking stupid. You need to find her, go in person, and fix your emotional shit with her.
Iskander: There’s nothing between us.
Manelik: And that’s exactly your problem. You’ve been in denial for the past three years. Call Lang. He’s good at finding people.
Iskander: I’d rather chew my arm off than contact your friend.
Manelik: After you self-mutilate, call him.
I glare at the phone, trying to figure out what I’m missing.
What denial?
Do they think I have feelings for her?
The only regret I have about being with Siobhan is that I gave the wrong impression to my family.
Next time, I’ll keep my friends away from the Cantús. Obviously, my family can’t be mature and understand that not all relationships are the same.
* * *
It’s only four in the morning, so I decide to try to sleep for another hour. Once my alarm sounds at six in the morning, I check my phone. It has dozens of texts from friends and family asking about Siobhan. I call her and get a recording saying the phone has been disconnected.
I recall Nydia telling me something about her number no longer being in service, or was it the phone? I can’t remember much.
Why did Siobhan change her number?
Is it possible to do it within twelve hours? I don’t think… then I remember when I had to change my number. It took a phone call to my cell provider and fifteen minutes to deactivate it and get a new one.
Fuck, why did she do that?
I want to ignore the problem, but at this point, it’s impossible. She could be in danger. I need to reach her and make sure she’s fine.