Page 80 of Make Me Trust Again
ROSE
“Pick up,” I mutter to myself as I listen to the phone ring, and ring, and ring. With each passing second, my fingers are gripping it tighter as I fight off the panic that’s rising inside my belly.
He’s fine.
There’s no reason to worry. Maybe they’re busy playing, or eating, orsomething.Right? That’s probably it.
But damn him, why isn’t he picking up?
Hanging up the phone, I pull out John’s contact again, dial, and wait.
He’s been MIA for over 24 hours. I’ve tried calling several times, but he hasn’t picked up. So either something’s wrong, or he’s ignoring me.
Finally, after what feels like forever, the call connects, and I’m met with loud music coming from the other side of the line.
“John?”
People are yelling and laughing in the background, and I’m pretty sure one of them is my ex-husband.
I squeeze my phone tighter. “John!”
“What the fuck do you want, Rose?” he slurs into the speaker, and I’m not sure if I should be relieved that he actually picked up the damn phone for a change, or angry that he’s out partying while our son is God only knows where.
“Where is Kyle?”
“Home.”
“You left him home alone?” I turn around the room, looking for my keys. If he’s left Kyle all alone?—
“He’s not alone. He’s with a nanny.”
A wave of relief slams into me, making me rock on my heels. I lean against the kitchen counter, holding onto it with my free hand. “You said you’ll try.”
My words are weak, and I hate myself for even saying them out loud, for giving him more ammunition. But damn him and his selfishness.
“I don’t see how it’s any of your business. It’smyweekend, which means I get to do whatever the hellIwant to do. I don’t even know why you’re calling. You sure didn’t bother calling yesterday when you went out with your friends.”
What the actual?—
“I was at the café!”
Somebody calls his name over the loud noise.
“I’m coming,” he yells back, already distracted. “Myweekend, Rose. That’s our agreement. Don’t bother me again until I drop Kyle off at your place.”
“Jo—” I start, but he doesn’t wait for me to finish before the line goes dead.
Gripping the phone, I let my hand fall. “Fucking John.”
Why did he insist so much on this when he clearly has no interest in spending time with Kyle? It’s one thing to try and hurt me, but to do it to our son?
Lifting my hand, I pinch the bridge of my nose. I can feel the headache looming behind my temples.
I check the time on my phone before pulling out the number and starting the video call. I nibble at the inside of my cheek as the phone rings. I don’t know if Kyle’s up or even close to his phone, so he can feel it vibrate, but I have to try at least. I feel less guilty for giving Kyle my old phone now. It’s clear that I can’t trust John, and I need a way to get in touch with Kyle on my own. He needs a way to reach me if he needs a way out.
It feels like forever before the phone finally connects, and Kyle’s face appears on the screen, and all the weight that has been on my shoulders since his father took him finally lifts.
“Mom?” His voice is small, and it breaks something in me when I hear it.
