Page 48 of Come Back to Me

“No,” she says, looking at me sadly.

“No, he hasn’t been taking his meds?” I ask.

“No, we can’t fix this. I saw the texts. He was promising her he would leave me, and that they would be together. It’s been going on for at least a month. So, no. I can’t do this again. I love Teddy. I’ve loved him for ten years. But loving him is killing bits of me every time something like this happens.”

I just stare at her for a minute, stunned. “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying that I told him last night I want a divorce. I’ve lost so much for loving him and he couldn’t stop himself from doing this to us. I told him it’s over.”

CHAPTER 22

JACK

“Teddy, pick up the damn phone, man. I’m worried about you,” I say into his voicemail.

I’ve tried to call him at least six times while I drive around to any of the places I think he might be. He’s at none of them, and I can’t get him to answer my texts or calls.

Desperate, I text Annie and ask her if Sadie is working today. She is.

I call Annie. “Babe, I can’t explain why, but I need to talk to her now. It’s an emergency.” I don’t want to worry her so I try to control the shaking in my voice.

“Okay. I’m walking to get her now. But are you okay, Jack? You’re scaring me a little,” she says.

“I can’t say right now. Please just trust me, Annie.”

A few moments later, there’s a tentative, “Um… hello?” as Sadie takes the phone.

“Sadie, this is Jack Donley, Teddy’s friend,” I say.

“Okaaay,” she says. “I’m not sure why you’re calling me about him, I don’t?—”

“Cut it out. Now. I know everything. Teddy’s missing andI need to know if he was with you last night or if you know where he might be.” My tone is harsh but I don’t give a shit how it might make her feel.

“He wasn’t with me. Is he okay?” She sounds nervous now.

“I don’t know if he’s okay, because I can’t fucking find him. Tell me where you guys would go,” I demand.

“What? I don’t know what you mean?—”

“I’m going to be very clear with you. Tell me where you and my married friend went to have sex, because I know you did. And his wife is divorcing him over it and I’m worried he’s going to hurt himself. You don’t know him or his past. The longer you refuse to tell me the truth, the longer it takes for me to find him and make sure he’s safe. Is that clear enough for you?” I practically yell into the phone.

She hesitates for a moment. “The Maple Grove Motel over on?—”

Before she can finish, I hang up the phone and make a U-turn to head toward the cheap roadside motel in search of my friend.

I have Siri shoot Ben a text as I drive:

Me: Please meet me at the Maple Grove. It’s Teddy. I think he’s in real trouble.

Ten minutes later, I pull into the motel parking lot and see Teddy’s truck across the parking lot.

My stomach drops, bile filling my throat. I slam my truck into park next to Teddy’s and jump out. I pound on the door closest to where he’s parked, yelling his name. The curtains are drawn so I can’t see anything through the window. I head back to the door and use my shoulder to attempt to force it open.

I only stop when, a few minutes later, I feel a hand on myshoulder and look up to see Ben with an old man holding a keyring standing next to him.

“He’s got the keys, Jacky. Back up and let him open it. If Teddy’s in there, it’s the fastest way to get to him.”

I let him guide me back a few steps. The old man wiggles the key in the lock before he turns it and opens the door.

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