Even when I think back to the fender bender we had last spring when Ezra was harassing her, I have to admit it wasn’t entirely her fault. That parking lot was dark, and I was parked at a weird angle. I can see how she didn’t notice me in her rearview mirror.
There’s a reason why I put a car seat in her vehicle. It’s because I trust her.
So why the fuck didn’t I give her the benefit of the doubt today?
God, I’m a dick.
As I drive home, I think about how I can make it up to her. Apologizing is a good place to start, but what else? I know I hurt her feelings. I should’ve waited until we were home, when I had calmed down, to talk about what happened, but I was really pissed when I heard the cop recapping everything from his notes.
That’s no excuse, though.
Abby’s car isn’t in the driveway when we pull up. Maybe she had it towed to her mechanic’s.
When we cross the threshold, I’m about to call out her name, but the house is quiet and still.
Something’s not right.
I situate Hazel on the couch. “I’ll make you some dinner in just a bit.” I click on her favorite show and then head to Abby’s room.
Which is empty.
Most of her stuff is gone. Her clothes. Her shoes. Her toiletries. She only left behind her bed and three other things.
The beanbag still sits in the corner, and in the center of the bed is the jersey I gave her and a thick envelope of cash. There’s a note. It says, “Here’s my part of the rent and utilities. Sorry it was late.”
That’s it. That’s all it says.
Abby left. She’s gone. And it’s my fault.
I sit on the bed and drop my head into my hands.
What the fuck did I do?
42
NICK
“So you won’t tell me where Abby is?” I ask Baylee as I pace in the backyard. I had to call Maverick to get her number. Paige wasn’t answering, and Baylee’s the only other person I thought might know something.
“Nick, let me put it this way. When you pull your head out of your ass, then we can talk.”
“I’ve left her several messages apologizing.”
“That’s not enough.”
I shake my head. What the fuck does she want from me? “Look, I obviously upset her with how I handled the car accident.”
“Here’s a hint. You were an asshole long before that.”
“What did I do? How can I apologize for something if I don’t know what it is?”
She hums in the back of her throat. “Why don’t you ask Jinxy?”
I freeze. What the hell does that mean? “Abby mentioned something about Jinxy this afternoon.”
“Ding, ding, ding.”
“And you’re not going to tell me what it is?”
