Page 117 of Caged

Focusing on the positive reason for my visit helped me feel better about it.

“Dad, can you take me to the store later so I can replace my phone?”

I didn’t love the idea of going into public looking like a human punching bag, but now that I was thinking about it, waiting wasn’t an option. I needed a phone and even next day delivery felt like too long.

“Sure. We can pick up some groceries, too.”

“Good idea.” Dad had cleaned out all the bad food in my fridge at some point during the night. Thank God the half and half hadn’t been opened. I hated black coffee.

Chapter 45

Jay

Istill didn’t have a car, so I rode with my father to the office Wednesday morning. Not wanting to go to Cate’s too early, I planned on filing my insurance paperwork, ordering a new phone, and grabbing the keys to the SSI sedan Dad said I could borrow.

Fidgeting with my coffee, I ignored the country music playing softly. Instead, replaying the conversations from last night. Baring my soul and admitting my insecurities hadn’t been easy, but it was worth it. Even if thinking about all the time we’d lost because of my stubbornness had kept me up all night.

I almost lost my chance to reconnect with my family.I won’t waste my second chance.

I applied for my replacement driver’s license and credit cards, grateful to live in a time when it could all be done easilyonline. The insurance claim, on the other hand, was more complex.

It sat unfinished while I stared at Cate’s obsessively organized desk and empty chair.

I hadn’t seen her since her father arrived.Not from lack of effort. I didn’t know if it was her father, my father, or the fucking universe, but there was always a reason I couldn’t see her.

My leg bounced up and down as I turned towards my monitor and finished my claim. I’d just signed into my cell phone account when a knock on my door pulled my attention away.

“Son, you got a minute?” Dad asked.

“Of course.”

“I just got an email from Maxwell-”

“Is she okay?”

“Yes.”

“Did she quit?” I stood too fast and had to brace against my desk as blood rushed to my head.

“No.” He rubbed his hands through his short hair. “But she’s going to DC with her father.”

She’s leaving?After everything we’d been through, I never would’ve anticipated her running away without saying a word to me.

If I’d known she’d pull this shit, I would’ve pushed my way into her hospital room, father or not. The only reason I hadn’t was out of respect. The same reason I hadn’t rushed to her apartment last night.

Fuck that.

“Jaden.”

My head snapped up when I heard my name. “What?” I hadn’t meant to bark. “Sorry.” I slammed my laptop closed and grabbed the car keys off my desk.

“What are you planning?”

Planning?I was planning on driving over there and pounding on her door until she opened it and told me to my face what the fuck she was thinking.

“I don’t know, but she’s not leaving without talking to me.”

“You can’t just barge in and force her to talk to you.” He was right; I needed a new plan. A better, less aggressive plan.

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