Page 45 of Black Wave

“Anytime, man.” He hangs up, and the wave of uncertainty breaks, battering me with the fear that I could lose her again. I can’t let that happen.

CHAPTER 25

Emma

Ifinally get to spend a night with Liv. It seems like I never see her anymore. She has been spending all her time with her new hottie, Dax. I totally approve of that male specimen for her. I had to witness the emotional roller coaster of Brodie and Liv’s relationship. After the accident, she seems to be coming more and more out of the personal guilt bubble she perpetually floats around in. The girl had a complicated history with that guy but also deserves happiness. The happiness that she currently has now with Dax.

I bite my lip. I understand how guilt can be all-consuming. I finally feel alive since reuniting with Eduardo. He has brought back so many happy memories from my childhood, and we frequently talk about everything we did when we were younger. Nostalgia is a bitch, and I welcome her with open arms. I wish those memories didn’t have to end, where we had our separate lives without creating memories together, but we have this second chance to recreate new ones—our future together.

I heard back from the girls in Texas about our upcoming girls’ trip, so I decide to text Liv.

Emma

Hey! The girls are coming to visit. It’s gonna be hella fun.

Not waiting for a reply, I take a quick shower, and then we can plan our attack on the town. I just have to run the details by Eduardo. He doesn’t ask because he wants to control me. He asks because he wants to keep me safe, and I love that about him. He is so different from the men I grew up with.

I shower quickly, not bothering to wash my hair. It’s almost coming out of my messy bun. I flip my hair back, and that’s when I see a message written in the foggy condensation on the mirror.

I really hate condensation,I think to myself.Liv is such a trickster.I anticipate her shouting,“Emma, the condensation…Ohr Nor.” It was our thing while working in the ER on Padre Island when we would place our iced coffees in the cubby. Every time we picked the plastic cups up, water would drip off the bottom, and we’d reenact our favorite Australian-based show.

When I get closer to the mirror, my pulse spikes. I start to feel faint, and I think I might pass out. I grip onto the counter, trying to prevent myself from hyperventilating. Once again, I look at the mirror in disbelief. Tears threaten to fall from my eyes, and my vision becomes blurry. I blink them back effectively, clearing my sight. I begin slowing my breathing down and chant in my head.

Breathe in.

Breathe out.

Don’t run from me Emma

I can’t look at the writing anymore. I wrap the towel tighter around my body and quickly leave the bathroom to call Eduardo. I almost crash into the door when I see someone in my room.

I jump back quickly. “Oh dear god, I didn’t hear you come in.” I laugh and look at her. “Did you just get home from work?”

Liv looks over at me, and I know she wants to ask me questions—the ones I have repeatedly been vague about. I see the concern in her stare, and that guts me. I want so badly to share my secrets with her, to lessen my burden by confiding in my best friend, but that would be selfish of me. I was selfish before, and the price was losing my family. Julian killed them. My sister, my best friend. I won’t let that happen to Liv, and to protect her, I have to keep my secrets and somehow convey that she means the world to me. I look away.

“Let me get changed,” I tell her and shut the door, effectively shutting her out, as well as the conversation. I hear the door to my room close, signaling Liv’s departure. I immediately pick up my phone and call Eduardo.

It goes straight to voicemail. “Great. I guess I’ll call Philip,” I say aloud.

He answers on the second ring. “Is everything okay?” I hear his voice increase in intensity.

“Umm, yes. I tried to call Eduardo, and he wasn’t answering. Do you know where he is?” The line is silent for a minute, and Philip clears his throat.

“Business.'' He doesn’t elaborate. “Do you need anything? Are you upset about something? Did something happen?” I hear the urgency in his voice increase with each question. I hear the sound of the door unlocking, and I am afraid he will barge in at any moment. That would take a lot of explaining that I don’t think I could do at this point, with Liv already witnessing my weird behavior.

“No, I’m okay,” I say quickly before he scares Liv and bursts in, further adding to the many secrets I am hiding.

I can sense Liv getting close to asking me. The mental questions show through on her scrunched-up eyebrows orher narrowing eyes—suspicions I tend to downplay or use distraction techniques to prevent the onslaught of her questioning things I cannot speak to her about.

“Can you tell Eduardo I have to talk with him?” I wait, thinking about bothering him. “But it isn’t urgent.”

I hear him sigh, almost in relief. He must be returning to his car. “Of course, Emma. I’m just outside if you need anything, okay?” He declares reassuringly.

I nod, even though he can’t see me. “Okay, Philip. Thanks.”

I decided not to make a big deal of it or worry anyone. Liv is here with me, and Philip is outside. I’m safe. I repeat the words in my head until I believe them to be true. I’ll tell Eduardo when he calls me—no need to panic. I change into my sleep attire and go to find Liv, but first, I need some wine.

I search for Liv and see her watching me from the kitchen. She grabs a wine glass from the shelf, pours a chardonnay, and caps it with a top that keeps it fresh. I can feel Liv staring and watching my every movement. She lifts the glass in my direction, and I give her a subtle nod indicating that I’ll take a glass too. She is using Jedi mind trick nursing skills to assess me. I almost snort. My face will remain blank. I am the master of secrets.