Page 192 of Josephine and Clay

“I’m fine.”

“That phrase means nothing to me anymore.”

I sink back onto the couch before she physically forces me there.

The room closes in around me.

Before I can overthink it further, I open my messages and text Tessa.

Josie: Have you heard from Clay today?

The reply comes almost immediately.

Tessa: No. Why?

I stare at the screen for a moment too long.

Then I send the voicemail.

Penny’s eyebrows lift. “Straight to emotional warfare, huh?”

“I’m concerned.”

“You’re catastrophically concerned.”

My phone buzzes less than thirty seconds later.

Tessa: Oh shit.

A second message follows immediately.

Tessa: Boone’s calling him right now.

I grip the phone tighter.

Penny quietly takes the empty plate from my lap and sets it aside.

Another message.

Tessa: No answer.

Cold unease crawls down my spine.

I type back too quickly.

Josie: He mixed whiskey and pain meds.

Three dots appear instantly.

Disappear.

Return.

Tessa: Okay. Don’t panic yet.

Terrible advice. Completely unusable.

A minute later, my phone rings.