Page 141 of Love Notes & Lifelines
“T—This is a very special book, lovebug. I see why you love it so much.”
She tilts her head to look up at me, and her smile lances my chest as another memory forms. Cally crying when my father covered the stars, and it was my fault.
“What’s up?” Elijah asks. The second he sees my expression—he removes Emmy from my arms.
“I know. I know what Cally was trying to tell me.”
I feel it in my soul, and there’s only one way to find out if I’m right.
In the background, I hear Elijah telling Leo and Samira to help him get the girls ready for a walk.
The rain hits the windows like tiny pebbles, and I’m tucked under Cally’s bed with my hands over my eyes.
“Bear? It’s okay, lovebug. Come on out. We’re going to get some ice cream.”
I lift my head and my hands shake.
Glass shatters in the hallway, and our parents’ violent yelling causes my entire body to tremble.
“Mom’s not feeling well today, Bear. That’s all. I know it’s scary, but it will be okay.”
Mom has a lot of bad days.
“You need to get help, Emily. We can’t go on this way.” My dad’s words slice through the air.
“Don’t you dare,” Mom shouts back. “I’ll take that little boy and you’ll never find us again. You or Cally. Do you hear me?”
Cally drags me out from under the bed and pulls a blanket over me, then runs through the house and out into the rain.
My phone slides around my now-clammy hands and I turn it over and over again.
With my heart trying to escape my throat, I press the green call button and pray.
It rings three times before her timid voice comes over the phone. “Single Dad Hotline, I’m your helper. How can I help you?”
“Hello, Jane.” Stella gasps, but I push on before she hangs up. “My name is Becker Hayes, and I need you.”
“Beck.” My name from her lips settles the unease Emmy’s book has stirred.
“I think I figured out what Cally was trying to tell me. Or at least where she was trying to guide me. But the thing is, I can’t do any of this without you. If you want to call off the wedding tomorrow, I understand. I won’t like it, but I’m the onewho fucked up and need to regain your trust. But I need you, sweetheart. I need you now.”
Her breathing is heavy and erratic as though she’s just run a marathon. My shoulders tense, reaching for my ears with every second that passes.
“I need you, Stella Jane. We need you.”
The sound of her swallowing makes my lips twitch because I can picture her neck working and her wide, guileless eyes searching for every grain of truth.
“Please.” I’m not above begging. I’ll never be above begging when it comes to her.
“I’ll be home soon.”
Anxiety rushes from my body in an audible whoosh. She didn’t say she’ll be here soon. She didn’t say she’ll meet us at the house. She said she’ll be home soon—to our home—to me.
“I’ll be waiting. I have apologies to make, and things to prove. Please don’t think I’ve forgotten that, but?—”
“The girls will always come first, Beck. Always.”
“I love you, Stella.”
