Page 70 of The Burdens We Share
She sighs dramatically on the other end, “The cabinet above the sink broke and I don’t know how to fix anything and you know Sam. The boy is better with makeup brushes than tools.” That is probably the truest thing my mother has ever said.
I frown, “Mom, hi, it’s your daughter. You don’t need tocall my boyfriend for minor inconveniences when you have a brother.”
“Oh hi, Bootsie. I know, but your uncle and I got into an argument so we’re not talking right now,” she explains as if this is a common occurrence. Which it is.
I sigh, “Over what-”
She starts to answer, but I cut her off, “Actually, it doesn’t matter. Dallas is not your handyman. We also live on the other side of the country.”
Dallas snorts a laugh, “Tara, I’ll have someone come by tomorrow to fix it.”
Chapter 21
Ivory
It’s been two weekssince my glorious evening with Dallas in his office and then at his house in which he gave me my new favorite necklace. I’ve gotten so busy with filming that we’ve still had plenty of time together, just at night or between scenes. I guess a pro to him owning his own company is that he can clear his schedule whenever he wants.
I feel like I’ve been living in a fantasy land where nothing bad happens. I haven’t once thought about my stalker, I haven’t had any food issues, and I haven’t been stressed at all. Dallas’ presence in my life is like some kind of miracle. He makes everything feel okay. I didn’t realize how long I was walking around with my heart inside my chest, not making any movements until he came around and suddenly it started beating again. I never understood what my friends meant when they talked about Harvey or Sly, but I do now. It all makes sense.
I’m hanging out in my trailer between scenes, going through some lines while I take my lunch break. Today’s such a busy day on set that I haven’t seen the girls yet. We’ve still been filming some individual scenes. My phone starts to ring from where I left it on my vanity and I get up to retrieve it. My brows furrow in utter confusion when I see Harvey’s name on my screen. Why is Harvey calling me? We’re friendly but we aren’t friends. He wouldn’t be calling me unless something is wrong. I quickly answer the phone, “Hello?”
He’s breathless on the other end, “Ivory, is Brody with you?”
“No, why? What’s going on?” I don’t hide the panic in my voice.
“Fuck!” He shouts on the other end of the line.
“Harvey, what is going on?” I fret.
He takes a long breath, “I don’t know where she is.”
A chill runs down my spine, “What do you mean?”
“I mean that I thought she just left extra early this morning to get to set and that I missed her. But she never does that. She would never leave without saying goodbye and I didn’t think too much of it because I know she’s been stressed with filming and planning the wedding, but I called Selene and Selene told me that Brody no-showed set today,” he explains, worry clear in his voice.
Oh my God. “Did you talk to Aria?”
“I called her before I called you. She’s not with her.”
“Fuck, okay. Did you track her phone?” I try to come up with ideas that are utterly useless because Harvey is a smart man. If I can think of something, Harvey’s most likely already executed it.
His voice comes out breathier, more anxious, “Yeah, I tracked it to Sixth Street where I found her car. Her phone was on the driver’s seat.”
Something is seriously wrong here. Brody would never ditch her car, she treats that thing like it’s her baby. And she would never not check in with Harvey. “Fuck,” I whisper.
“Can you and Aria get to NexGen as fast as possible? Maybe if we all brainstorm-”
“We’ll be there,” I cut him off. He doesn’t need to finish that line. We won’t stop until we know where she is.
“Okay, I’ll see you soon.”
Before he can hang up, I add, “Harvey?”
“What?”
“We’ll find her,” I promise him. I refuse to accept anything less.
“I know.”
