He told me last night that he had a busy day today and that’s why he had to go in—but to not text me back? It’s been hours and that’s not like him. Maybe he lost his phone? He must have some way of finding it, like a tracker app. Or maybe the phone broke? No, he would send Oliver to get one. Or take whichever one they have in the supply closet. He wouldn’t just… ignore me.
He’s obviously busy. He is the CEO of a large and successful company.
Calm down, Cassius. He’s just working.
I put my phone down and focus on the episode. When it’s done and I still don’t have a text back from him, I send another.
Me
Hey, just making sure you’re okay?
I stare at it, hoping thedeliveredwill turn toread. It doesn’t. The next episode starts so I put my phone down again.
“I’m sure he’s busy with work,” Cammy says quietly.
“I know.”
Work takes up a lot of his time. I can’t be a priority all the time. Hardly ever, honestly. He has a lot going on. That’s just how it is.
The more time that goes by, the less I can focus on the TV. My brain is constantly going, wondering if he got into an accident. Maybe he went home and fell asleep. He hardly slept at all last night. But he couldn’t send not even one text? It’s so unlike him.
“I’m going to, uh, use the bathroom,” I say as I get up.
They both have their eyes glued to the TV, so I sneak past with my phone in hand. When I’m in the bathroom with the door closed, I call Harmon and it goes right to voicemail.
“What the hell?” I whisper to myself.
I try again. But again, it goes to voicemail. I send another text.
Me
I’m really worried. Can you please let me know if you’re okay?
I call again right after it sends.
“Hi, you’ve reached Har—”
My hands are shaking, and I look up at my reflection in themirror.
“It’s okay, Cass. It’s okay. He’s fine. He’s just sleeping.” I repeat the words a few times, trying to calm myself. It hardly works. I splash cold water on my face and go back to the living room with the intention of focusing on the show and not the fact that Harmon is home sleeping. The man is allowed to be tired. He hardly slept last night. We’ll laugh about this later, when he calls me back.
I call it a night around ten. Before I get into bed, I call Harmon again, but his phone is still off. I send another text though.
Me
I guess you’re sleeping. I’m sure you’re tired. Call me when you wake up.
I don’t care what time it is. I just miss you.
I put my phone on the nightstand and roll over to go to sleep. I toss and turn all night, nightmares plaguing me. Harmon getting into a car wreck. Being in the hospital with a ton of machines hooked up to him. Waking up with amnesia and having no idea who the hell I am. Nothing has ever made me feel so bad…
Chapter Forty-Nine
Cassius
I do my best to hide the panic in my chest from my sisters. I don’t want them to deal with my stress. Because if they think Harmon is avoiding me, it means a lot of things for us. It’s not just my relationship—it’s everything, including my job. Maybe my sister’s job too.
Cammy and I were both supposed to start our positions at Stone Timeworks yesterday, but because of everything that happened, Harmon told us to take a few days to stay with Chrissy since she wouldn’t be going to school.