Page 4 of Awaited Love with You (Wasted Love #3)

Turnabout

Autumn

I drop the keychains into the sink, one by one.

The water crashes down, violent and constant, like it’s trying to scrub the memory off me.

I don’t move. I just let the faucet scream louder than the questions I can’t shut off.

Am I the reason he got arrested?

When I finally turn on my phone, there are no new messages from Ryder.

Just Adele and Kylie…

Adele

I miss you, Miss Jane.

Please text me back…

I want you to hear me play this new piece.

Why did you leave ME without saying goodbye?

Kylie

I’m sure you’re still in bed, but call me whenever you’re up at ’em again.

Hey… You alright?

Random question: I think I may have given you some defective pepper spray canisters. Can you spray them outside to check when you can?

I’d hate to have given you something that doesn’t work… especially if you’re ever in real danger. :-)

Bitch…

My blood is still boiling.

I want nothing more to do with her, but I refuse to let her know that I’m aware of what she’s done. That if Ryder wasn’t locked away, I’d have him make her disappear since she loved to bring that power of his up so much.

Yeah, I dropped my purse in the tub and they’re soaked. Just letting them dry out.

Ah! Hate when that happens!

Well, I mailed you a few more, and they should’ve been there by now, so be sure to use them whenever you do leave!

Sure thing! Thank you so much!

Always!

I shake my head.

Before Ryder, I would’ve easily bought into her bullshit reasoning.

I change her name to “Effin Traitor” in my contacts.

As I’m saving it, a call from an unknown number crosses my screen.

My breath catches. Ryder?

I hesitate. For half a second, I think it might be Kylie—another tactic, another lie.

Then I answer.

“Hello?”

“Miss Jane?”

“Adeline...” I let out a sigh of relief. “How are you?”

“I’m really good, Miss Jane!” She beams. “Well, kinda...”

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m getting ready for the season opening recital at my new school,” she says. “And I have to practice way longer than usual.”

New school? “Have you talked to your dad?” I can’t help but ask.

“Yeah, I just got off the phone with him.”

“You were able to talk to him on his real cell phone?”

“Yeah…”

“So, he’s at home?”

“He’s on another business trip.” She pauses.

“You’re being really weird, Miss Jane. Are you alright?”

No. “I’m glad to hear your dad’s okay and you’re okay. I need to go.”

“Wait, please. I need a favor. You said I could ask for it anytime after helping you with your gala dress.”

“I did say that.” I nod. “What is it?”

“Can you come to my new school for my recital tomorrow?”

“What?”

“Please,” she says. “I really want you to come.”

“Adeline, that’s…” I hold back a sigh. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. I’m sure your dad?—”

“I can’t tell him about this one, and he wouldn’t understand.”

“Why not?”

“It’s the symposium for mothers and daughters,” she says.

“I see…”

“I never participated in them in London—since I’d just fly home to get out of it, but I want to this time… I’ll be the only one there without a mom, and…” Her voice trails off. “Please. You can go right after my solo, but please. I’ll never ask you for anything else.”

“I’m not sure I could even get to you on time if it’s tomorrow,” I say. “I’m not even in Seattle anymore—I’d have to leave tonight.”

“I know.” There’s sadness in her voice.

“You’re back with your parents.”

“Your dad told you that?”

She doesn’t answer.

Her silence is an answer.

Just like that, the dread comes rushing back.

“I bought you a ticket already,” she says, ignoring my question. “I got it with my emergency pre-paid card, and I already arranged a pickup and a hotel for you, too.”

I pause, stunned for a second. She’s only eight years old, but sometimes it’s easy to forget. The way she thinks, plans, handles things… it’s like she was raised to solve problems most adults would still be stumbling through.

“My dad won’t know anything about this,” she says. “I mean, not until two days from now, but… Please, Miss Jane. Pleaseee .”

“What piece are you playing?”

“The Sarabande from Bach’s Partita No. 2. ”

“Are you going to do all the vibratos properly?”

“I promise.”

“Okay, Adeline.” I look at all the suitcases that are still packed from Seattle. “I’ll make it to the airport tonight.”

End of Episode 4