Escaping Reality (The Secret Life of Amy Bensen #1)(65)

I don’t like how that sounds. “How long do you think he’ll be gone?”

“A few days. We have to finalize him as the architect on this project by next week or he’s out. He seems to want in.”

“If he gets to use his design.”

“You seem to know him pretty well for someone who just came into his life. That’s good.

He’s been alone a long time.”

Liam has been alone a long time. I’m still thinking about that a few minutes later when I shut the door behind Derek, promising to lock up and call him if I need anything. I like Derek and decide I will call him if I need to.

I just hope I don’t need to. I dial Liam. He doesn’t answer.

No surprise there. I shower and pull on one of his shirts and call again. Still he doesn’t answer.

***

Two days pass, and Liam has only texted me a few times. I’m going crazy and it’s

Sunday, so I’m limited on distractions. I can’t make much progress on the phone and the library in walking distance is closed. Monday comes with a text from Liam checking on me that leaves me feeling more alone than ever. I dress and arrive at the library when it opens, and my hunt through their microfilm collection takes up most of the day.

Tuesday arrives with another text and drives me into more research.

While I am no closer to answers about my past, I actually connect with someone who can change my identity completely. The catch: it will cost me ten thousand dollars I don’t have. The alternative is a flea-market fake that will at least allow me to travel inside the States. At fifty dollars, it wins me over and I decide getting one is on my Wednesday agenda as a safety precaution.

It’s nearly nine o’clock when Derek stops by again. I greet him at the door, feeling rather hostile at his presence. “Why are you here to check up on me for him but he can’t call me?”

“Amy—”

“Answer the question.”

He scrubs his jaw. “He’s dealing with his father’s trash talk and it messes with his head more than you can possibly know.”

“Exactly, because he’s shut me out.”

“He’ll come around. Let me take you to dinner.”

“No. I’m staying here. Thank you, though.” I don’t invite him in.

“Liam says you need a job.”

“I have one.”

He studies me a moment. “Then why does he think you don’t?”

“I’ll ask him if he calls me.”

He sighs heavily. “Call me if you need me.”

Guilt over my shortness is instant. “I’m sorry. Thank you. I will.”

He leaves, and while I’m no longer hostile, I’m determined. The silence has to end. I call Liam and he doesn’t answer. That’s it. I’m taking action. I text him. Call me or I’m getting on a plane and finding you. And if

you think I won’t do it, you don’t know me well.

My cell rings instantly. I answer to hear, “Amy.” His voice is sandpaper rough, almost brittle.

“I guess your quick call means you really want to stop me from showing up there.”

“I don’t want you in this part of my life.”

He thinks he’s bad for me. I think I’m bad for him. “You aren’t your father.”

“You won’t convince him of that.” Bitterness and pain ripple through his words.

“Let me come there and be with you.”

“No. You will end up in the newspapers.”

“And you don’t want me there.”

“I don’t.”

I flinch. “Okay. I get it. I’m going to go back to my apartment—”

“No. Shit. Don’t. Please. I’m handling this all wrong, just like I did the other night in Earl’s. Look. Amy. I’m not the person I want you to know right now. That’s why I haven’t called.

I don’t know what will come out of my mouth, but thinking about being back there with you is all that keeps me sane.”

My eyes pinch. “Just come back,” I whisper. “When can you come back?”

“Soon.”

“Promise. I know how you feel about promises.”

“I promise.” He hesitates. “Amy—”

“Yes?” I hold my breath and wait, not sure what to expect.

He lets out a breath. “Tell me you won’t leave.”

“I won’t leave.”

“Promise.”

I squeeze my eyes shut. If I make this promise I have to tell him everything when he gets back. He can’t protect himself from a danger he doesn’t know exists. And I’m pretty certain he’d come after me if I left anyway. “I promise.”

***

Wednesday morning I am at the bank when it opens to discover my account is as empty as my inbox remains. I’m frustrated with Meg’s “out with a client” and “haven’t had time to check the listings” text messages.

Surely her boss has to have returned to town, and I head in that direction.

When I find the office closed again, I do not feel good about this. I decide to walk to the back door and see if I can get into the building to look around.

Once I’m in the small alleyway, I knock on the door to be safe, and receive no response. I try the door but it’s locked. There is a window that has to be Luke’s office and I decide to try it, praying I don’t get myself arrested. I peek in the window to find an empty office, without furniture or even boxes. The window is locked, so I move to the window on the opposite side of the building to find it’s vacant. Unease ripples through me.