“She usually shows up again after a few hours, or days.”
“And you think this might be one of those times?”
I think about this for a few moments, then decide to confess my fears to Eric.
“She came to mine a few days ago looking for somewhere to clear her head. I knew something was wrong. She lives with Ethan’s sister – she was the one to introduce them – although, from what I can tell, my sister spends much more time at her boyfriend’s house.”
I rest my elbow on the door, my head heavy in my hand, my eyes on the road flashing past us.
“She came to yours?”
I look back at him. “Yeah.”
“So that’s somewhere she feels safe? Feels at home?”
“I guess so.”
“Maybe that’s where we should go. To yours. And we should wait there. At least until tomorrow morning.”
I look at the time and sigh. “I think you’re right. It makes no sense to keep wandering around the city all night without knowing where to look.”
Eric nods before turning right towards my neighbourhood.
“Thanks,” I say, a sense of safety and security expanding inside me.
“Mmm?” Eric asks, glancing over at me.
“For rushing to help me, for driving me around town all night.”
For being there. For stopping me from losing my mind.
He smiles. “You’re welcome, Mr. Quinn.”
I smile, too, my head resting against the seat, my tired eyes on his face, and a feeling in my heart that, for the first time in a while, I have someone I can rely on.
* * *
ERIC FOLLOWSME UP to my floor and waits as I open the door. I step into my apartment and switch on the light, looking dejectedly around before turning to face him.
“I hoped she’d be here,” I admit, slumping down onto the sofa in my living room.
Eric closes the door behind him and steps inside. He sticks his hands into his jeans pockets and lets his eyes wander.
My apartment isn’t big at all. It has a living room, a kitchen that you can see from the sofa, a bedroom, a bathroom, a small storage which houses the boiler, but which I use to dry wet clothes.
“So… This is where you live.”
“Oh God!” I leap to my feet. “I’m so sorry. I haven’t even…”
What? What haven’t I done? I didn’t even really invite him up. He just parked in the road and followed me. Maybe I should’ve thanked him and say goodbye before he came upstairs with me. It could seem rude now.
“You were so kind to drive me around all night.”
“Are you trying to find a nice way to get rid of me?”
“What? No! Of course…” I run a hand through my hair nervously. I didn’t expect him to come over, to see where I live – not after I’ve been to his grandmother’s house. I didn’t expect to feel so uncomfortable at the idea of a man in my apartment – a man like him.
“I bet you haven’t even had dinner,” he says suddenly.
