Page 115 of Alexander: Alexander's Story

If losing Jess was like losing an appendage, losing Emma is like missing a vital internal organ. It’s an invisible pain that yields for nothing.

After the first week, I turn my phone back on.

Brit

Where are you?

What did you do?

Damian is fuming.

Liam

Hey man, need anything?

Brit

I’m really worried.

Max

Connie wants me to come kick your ass, so maybe just call him back?

Brit

I don’t even care about what happened with Jess and Damian, okay? I just need to know that you’re fine.

Connie

Alexander, call me back. Please.

A

I’m fine. Don’t look for me.

I send the same message to every person and turn my phone back off.

There’s nothing from Emma.

I slam the bottle of Johnny Walker down, and Delta whines at the noise. He cries a lot lately. The house is unfamiliar to him. His person is missing. Life isn’t the same.

Same, bud.

“Baby,” I can feel her hand against my shoulder. “Wake up,” she whispers.

“Wake up.” This time, it’s with a shove. “Wake up,” he pushes again.

My eyelids are sore, my ribs are bruised, and my knuckles worn raw. Between the fight and the tequila, I’d finally gotten some sleep. But now, some asshole is here, taking it away from me.

I lash out with my fist, pissed that he’s takingherfrom me. Sure, it’s only in my dreams, but that’s all I have. And I rarely actually sleep.

“What the fuck, man?” I hear him walk away, so I try to reach back for sleep. I try to reach back for her with closed eyes.

And then water is being dumped on me.

“Fuck!” I stand up with a shout.

Blanks stands back, looking at me with disgust.