Wren
Ashley James
Chapter One
Wren Carlisle
What the hell is that noise?
Peeling my eyes open, they burn as they adjust to the darkness in the room. Glancing toward my nightstand, I quickly realize the obnoxious noise is coming from my phone, which is lit up and vibrating. My gaze flits to the clock sitting behind it.
One twenty-seven.No wonder my eyes are burning. I just went to sleep like two hours ago. Who the hell is calling me this late?
I grab the phone, concern washing over me when I see the name.
Nelly.
Answering, I bring it to my ear. “Nell, is everything okay?”
“Wren?” My name comes out broken, a sob hiccupping into the speaker.
“I’m here,” I promise. “What’s the matter, Nell?”
All I can hear are her quiet cries and heavy breathing for a moment. My heart is racing as I climb out of bed, turning on the lamp and taking my duffle bag out of the closet. I don’t even know what’s going on, but my gut is telling me it’s bad.
“Nelly, what is going on?”
“Can you come get me?” she finally asks, voice barely above a whisper.
“Are you at home?”
“No.”
“Then where?”
Sniffling echoes in my ear as I stuff clothes into the bag, heading to the bathroom to pack my toiletries. “I’m at a motel off the highway, right outside of Chicago.”
“Okay, listen to me, babe,” I tell her, stopping my packing for a moment to get this out. “I will be there as soon as I can. I will book a flight as soon as I’m off the phone with you, but it’ll probably be hours before I get there. Send me the address of the motel, and I’ll send you my flight info. Okay?”
“Okay,” she mirrors back to me.
“Are you safe?” I ask on bated breath.
“I think so,” she whispers. “I don’t think there’s a way for him to track me.”
“Are you hurt?” When she doesn’t answer, I push. “Nell, answer me.”
“I am, but not enough to go to the hospital. I’ll be okay here. Just please, hurry.”
It feels like the air’s been knocked out of me. A part of me always knew this day was coming, but I’d hoped I was wrong. My hand comes up, rubbing the growing ache in my chest as I sit on the edge of the bed to keep my legs from giving out on me. I’ve never hated the distance between us more than I do in this moment. Being so far away from her when she needs me, it’s crushing.
“Okay, uh…” The words come out broken. I clear my throat and try again, hoping they’re stronger this time. She needs me strong right now. “Don’t worry, Nelly. I’m coming.”
“Thank you, Wren.” Her voice is laced with thick emotion, and it’s a knife to the chest. “I know it’s a lot to ask, but I really a-appreciate it.”
“Nell, I’d do anything for you,” I admit truthfully. “I’m glad you called. I’ll see you soon, okay?”
She sniffles. “Yeah, okay.”
