"There’s been a family emergency."
I see her draw back a little, and even though I’m not the affectionate type or one for promises, my gut tells me that with Alexis, nothing is like anything I’ve known before.
"Come here."
She keeps the sheet around her but accepts the hand I offer.
"I’ll be back next week." I pull her into my arms and bury my face in the curve of her neck.
"What happened?"
"I have to go," I say, kissing her lips, then her forehead. "I’ll see you this weekend." I don’t think it’s the right time to tell her about the change I’d been planning—taking her to New York with me. First, I need to deal with the situation with Jodie.
"Don’t promise me anything. I hate promises."
"I’ve never broken one in my life. I’ll be back."
She sits on her heels, and all I want is to take her with me into the shower and calm the insecurity I see in her eyes—but I know I don’t have time. I don’t love Jodie, but I don’t wish her harm either. I can’t just let her go without knowing I did everything I could to save her.
Alexis watches me in silence and nods. "Okay. I’ll wait for you."
As much as it kills me, I turn away, step into the bathroom, and I think I hear her murmur something—but I can’t make out what it is.
Half an hour later, I’m in the car, having arranged for a taxi to pick her up and take her back to Provincetown. Still, a weight like a lead ball sits in my stomach.
I’ve never had a problem sending women home in taxis or with my driver. Even Jodie, who was my girlfriend for longer, got the same treatment. But with Alexis, it doesn’t feel right.
I’m still gripping the steering wheel after more than two hours on the road to New York when, more than halfway there, the image of Alexis’s face as I kissed her goodbye haunts me again.
Less than two minutes later, my phone rings. My brother’s voice comes through the speaker. "Where are you?"
"About two hours out."
"She might not last that long, brother."
"What?"
"It’s bad. Athanasios?—"
"Fuck me!"
I know what that means. If Seth is saying Athanasios has lost hope, there’s nothing more to be done.
"But . . . Morrison?—"
"Morrison?"
"Shit."
"What the hell are you talking about, Seth?"
"Morrison was in the car with her."
"What?"
"Apparently, Mom called him to try to calm Jodie down. She was hysterical, begging her to convince you to get back together with her."
"Goddamn it!"
