[chapter fourteen]
Disclaimer: If you've heard of them, I don't own them. Everything else is mine, so no stealing, pretty please. ;-)
**
~Jimmie's POV~
"Hey." I say into my cell phone from the plane. "How are you?"
"Tired." I can hear the exhaustion in Shea's voice and my heart goes out to her. "Rough day. But I'm glad you'll be home soon."
"Me too. I missed you."
"I missed you too." Shea said. "Looks like you had a good day though." I can hear the smile in her voice and I grin to myself.
"Not bad."
"Not bad, Mr. Third Place at a Track I Hate. Stop being modest." Shea berates me and I laugh.
"You promised if I did well, you'd reward me." I say huskily, hoping my rear tire changer sitting across from me can't hear.
"And I will, dear boy. Just get yourself back here."
"Just as quick as this plane can get me there, baby. I promise."
**
Every light is on at Shea's house when I pull up several hours later.
Which is weird, since it's the middle of the night.
I park the car and quickly walk up the to the front door, only to have it thrown open a few seconds later by a visibly shaken Shea.
Oh god. I hope her mother didn't hurt herself. Or hurt Shea. Not again.
"Baby?" I whisper before she collapses into my arms, her entire weight against mine. "Babydoll, what is it?"
"Oh god … Jimmie."
I push her away from me so I can look at her face, which is streaked with tears. "Shea, you're scaring me. What happened?
"She's gone." She whispers. "She's gone."
I pull her into my arms, rocking her gently as my mind rushes in a thousand directions. "When?" I finally ask.
"A little while ago."
"Were you … "
"I was with her. I was getting her ready for bed and when I went to get her medication and came back, she … "
"Oh baby … "
"But … but at least, in those last few minutes, she was herself. She was herself." Shea repeats softly.
"Oh honey." I say, holding her against me as she trembles against me. "I'll take care of you. I promise."
"You will?" She asks, looking up at me with those beautiful eyes.
"Of course. You're my girl, aren't you?"