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Anxious, I go about my morning rituals, making the bed, taking a quick shower, and preparing a few bottles for CJ. When I hear him wake, I get him ready for the day. After an hour and a half, still no contact from Chase. I text him but get nothing in return.
I’m growing more panicked because when he said we needed to separate, I didn’t expect it to be immediately. At least he could have stayed Sunday. He should have today off, and I looked forward to spending the day together. When I’m playing with CJ, I finally hear my phone chirp with an incoming text.
C: I’m sorry, babe, I was asked to come into work today for a few hours. I forgot to tell you last night. I should be home by 2:00.
I’m pissed off because he could have told me last night or even when he had the nightmare, but he didn’t. I hope his inconsideration isn’t going to be a trend. We might as well be fuck buddies again rather than dating. Angry, I pace around, trying to decide what to type back to him.
M: You should have told me. I was worried.
C: Don’t be. I’m a big boy, and I can handle myself.
Fuck you, Chase! I feel like telling him that. I can almost feel the iciness of his text radiating through my phone. He might as well tell me to stop caring. I don’t text him back, and I’m not in the mood to see him this afternoon, either. Two can play that game. Instead, I call Lexi and ask if she would like to hang out, but she’s busy.
The hell with it. I’ll go out on my own. I can take CJ for a long walk. There’s a street fair that’s held a few times a year several blocks up from me. I pack up the stroller and walk to where they’re holding the event. It goes on for about three blocks, and there are many booths set up with food, gifts, crafts, and art.
CJ attracts a lot of attention because of how cute he is, and several people stop to ooh and ah over him. He loves the attention, and I’m flattered. I’m enjoying myself until I see him out of the corner of my eye. This time he’s wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses. Barrett’s long black hair is held back in a ponytail.
I feel a shiver of fear go through me, and I try to calm myself since I am in the middle of a huge crowd. If it were just me, it would be different, but I have CJ, and I can’t run with a stroller. Relief washes over me when I spot Matty, Olivia, Hunter, and Rory across the street at a small jewelry booth.
I call out to them, and they approach me. Matty gets to me first and grabs me up in his arms, kissing me. He’s like a brother to me since we’ve known each other for years. Olivia is kneeling and talking to CJ. Barrett disappears into the crowd, so I decide to keep close to my friends and family until I can get home. It was too close for comfort, and I was stupid to go out without Chase. I debate whether I should tell him because I know he’ll be spitting mad regardless. Then I remember that I’m angry at him as well.
At two o’clock, my phone goes off like crazy, but I ignore it. Let’s see how he likes it when I don’t tell him where I’m going. I know it’s immature, but I don’t care.
“Are you going to answer that?” Matty asks.
“No. It’s not important.”
“It sounds like it is. Someone is trying to get in touch with you.”
“Believe me; it’s not.”
Hunter overhears my exchange with Matty and pulls me aside.
“Are you arguing with Chase?” he asks.
Since Chase came back into my life, Hunter has been my confidante. I’ve told him things about Chase that I haven’t even shared with my sisters.
“He was inconsiderate, so I want to give him a taste of his own medicine.”
“That’s ridiculous,” he chides. “You don’t have to act like him.”
I hold in a sigh at his scolding; I'm stupid, and I know it. When my phone rings again, I turn away from him and answer it.
“Where the fuck are you?” Chase hisses.
“Don’t talk to me that way,” I snap.
“I told you to be careful, and it sounds like you’re out in a crowd somewhere.”
“I’m out with a few friends.”
“That’s fine, but you could have told me where you were going.”
“Oh, like you told me? I was worried this morning, but that didn’t seem to bother you.”
“That was different. I can take care of myself. You have my son.”
“Our son is fine and well protected!”
