Page 52 of Jealous of the Clouds
And her reward? Hatred and suspicion, so much so that it finally engulfed her in a dark embrace, making her wonder what was real and what wasn’t.
A pounding at the door startled her out of her reverie.
“Hang on!” Another man? At this hour? What the hell? It had happened before.
She grabbed her robe off the bed and went to open the door.
When she saw who was standing there, she was shocked, but not unhappy. “Well, this is a surprise. What brings you here?”
Chapter 25
Camille
I was a fool. How he got me? It was easy. I fell right into the trap.
“Camille?”
“Yes? Who’s this?”
“It’s Joshua Kade, Camille. I’m Ted’s friend, boyfriend, if you will.”
I sat down on the couch. I’d been busy prepping for dinner, chopping the carrots, celery, and onions that would go into my slow cooker for chicken soup.Why is this asshole calling me?“With all due respect, Mr. Kade, you arenota friend, and especially not a boyfriend of Ted’s. Last I heard—and this is from the horse’s mouth—he wants nothing to do with you.”
There was a long pause on the line.Trying to figure out what to say? What lie might convince me to come over to your side? Good luck with that.
At last, he spoke. “Yes, yes. It might surprise you to know I’m quite aware of what you’re saying. We’ve definitely hit a rough patch—”
I cut him off before he could go any further, before he could spew any more falsehoods. Honestly, I was ready to hang up. I wanted no part of this. “Save your breath, please. I don’t want to be in the middle of this. I don’t really want to talk to you, Mr. Kade. Whatever you want to say, you can say it to Ted. He’s the one you need to talk to. I am and will not act as some kind ofgo-between for you. This is, as they say, not my circus, not my monkeys. I’m hanging up now.”
“Wait! Then you haven’t heard?”
Okay, you have my attention. I rolled my eyes. “Haven’t heard what?”
“It’s been on the news.”
“What? What’s been on the news?” My heart began a ratta-tat-tat rhythm, even my Apple watch told me my heart rate was in a dangerous place.
“Oh, my dear.” Josh was quiet for several moments while I paced my kitchen. If his objective was to worry me, he was succeeding. “Ted and a friend of his were involved in an accident a few hours ago. A head-on collision at the big curve where Lake Shore Drive turns into Sheridan Road. Some kid, probably high or drunk, took the curve too fast at the light and plowed right into them.”
“Oh my God,” I whispered, more to myself than to him. I know now my reason flew out the window, augmented by a big dose of terror, mixing with adrenaline, and flooding my bloodstream.
“I’m so sorry. I thought you’d know. But I just wanted to call to say that Ted mentioned you all the time, with such great fondness. That you were like a sister to him. And I get that, having a sister I love very much. I know you’ve probably heard some unkind things about me from him. But I assure you, it’s only because we’re in a rough patch right now. There are certain things that truly can be chalked up to misunderstanding.”
Now, I can look back and see how blind I was. Panic and fear for someone you love can throw a whole blanket of wool over one’s eyes. “Is he okay?”
“He’s alive.” He stayed quiet, allowing the implication, I believe, to sink in.
“But, but…” I couldn’t bring myself to ask the follow-up question. I was so panicked I can’t even say for sure I knew what the question would be. I know, I know. I should have questioned it; should have asked for some proof, although I don’t know what that proof would be.
“Collapsed lung, broken ribs, a concussion. He’s going to be okay, Camille. That’s the important thing. He’s at Saint Joseph’s. On Lake Shore? He’ll probably be there overnight, but then I think they’ll send him home. I was calling because I thought you might want to take him in for a bit while he recuperates. I’d do it, but as you know, we’re at odds with each other right now.”
“I need to go to him,” I said, already gathering my soup ingredients and throwing them into storage tubs so I could pick up where I left off later. “Do you know what room? Never mind, I’ll ask when I get there.” I hurried into the living room. I sat down to pull on my Hokas and then stood to grab my pea coat off a hook by the door.
“His friend didn’t fare so well.”
I paused. “Friend?”
“Yes, uh, Bailey Anderson. You might have heard of him? True crime podcaster?”
