Page 107 of King of Pain

He wags his tail but stays pressed to my side. Lexi gives me one last look, then leans down, squeezing my shoulder. “Try to get some rest, yeah? Bang on my door if he comes home or if you need anything at all, even if it’s just a hug.”

I nod, though we both know I won’t rest. She leaves quietly, and the silence that follows is deafening.

I let out a shaky breath, then stand, grabbing Little G’s leash. I take him out one last time, the cold January air biting against my skin. The world is quiet, still, unaware of the pain wrecking me from the inside out.

Back inside, I decide to at least try and sleep. I shut off the lights, leaving the small lamp on in the living room. Just in case.

I head to Chance’s bedroom.Our bedroom.

I strip down and slide under the covers naked. Little G follows, curling up at the end of the bed. Grabbing Chance’s pillow, I pull it tight against my chest, burying my face in it. His scent lingers in the fabric, wrapping around me, and I inhale deeply, willing it to manifest him beside me.

Then I lay there. And wait.

Alone.

TRACK THIRTY•NINE

Right Here Waiting

Anthony

I wake up with a start, disoriented for a moment before the crushing reality settles in again. Chance isn’t next to me. I fell asleep. What if he tried to call?Fuck.

My pulse throbs in my temples as I blindly reach through the blankets, searching for my phone. I fling the bedding off in frustration, sending the phone clattering to the floor. Scrambling out of bed, I grab it and sink down, my back against the mattress as I check my notifications.

Nothing. No calls. No texts. No read receipts.

I scrub my hands over my face, dragging them into my hair. “Where are you, baby?” I whisper into the silence.

My ears perk up when I hear a clinking sound in the kitchen.

He’s back.

I jump to my feet, yanking on a pair of boxer briefs as I rush to the bedroom door, Little G right on my heels. I burst into the dining area, eyes frantically scanning for him—instead, I find Lexi sitting at the table, sipping coffee, and Jen standing in the kitchen doctoring hers.

“What are you doing here?” I demand, voice rough. “Is he back?”

Lexi gives me a sympathetic smile, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. “No, sweetie, he’s not, and we haven’t heard from him.”

The little bit of hope I had fizzles out, and I sag against the counter, unlocking my phone again to text him. “Have you texted him this morning?” I ask, my fingers already flying over the screen.

Lexi nods. “I have. I called too. Nothing.”

I swallow nervously, hitting send on my message.

Jen moves toward me, wrapping me in a warm, grounding hug. “Wait, why are you here?” I ask as I pull back. “I only asked if you’d heard from him. I didn’t tell you—”

Jen squeezes my arms, her grip firm. “What, did you really think Lexi wasn’t going to call in reinforcements?”

Jen gives me a soft smile, tilting her head. “She texted me last night and filled me in.”

Gesturing to the counter, she adds, “So, we made plans to be here early and bring you breakfast. And caffeine.”

I glance at the box of bagels and the gallon of coffee on the counter, then give Lexi a grateful look.

Jen smirks. “Now, while it’s been my heart’s desire to see you in your underwear since I met you, these are not the conditions I wanted that to happen. So, how about you go get dressed? We’ll take Little G out, and then we’ll make a plan to find Chance.”

I sigh, glancing down at myself, suddenly remembering I ran out here nearly naked. “Yeah, okay. Thanks.”