Three Days Later
I’ve managed not to break anything today, but the day is still young. Wiping down table five, I keep my eyes glued to the door in case Cayden walks in, declaring today is the day. Just the thought has my shaky hands knocking a fork to the floor.
Quickly retrieving it, I go about my business as I don’t want anyone clueing into my inner turmoil.
Three nights ago, Cayden made the dreaded call. Although I didn’t want to know the details, I wanted to know the essentials, and that was when we were going to meet. Cayden was adamant that he’d do this on his own, but there is no way that’s happening.
Cayden got ahold of Benny, who said he’d be in touch soon. I didn’t ask if Benny was clean, but the fact he was going to call us has me guessing his stint in prison didn’t curb his immoral ways.
So now we wait.
My boss isn’t here today, so I’m able to hide my cell in my apron pocket. If Cayden calls, I need to be ready. I’ve let Julia know that I may need to rush off for a family emergency. As far as excuses go, it’s beyond lame, but she knows better than to ask questions.
“I’m pretty sure you can see your reflection in the tabletop,” Walt, the busboy, says as he passes me with a grin.
I nudge him in the ribs playfully, rolling my eyes. It’s the kick in the ass I needed to join the land of the living and attempt to act normal.
The lunch rush means the diner is packed, so it takes my mind off things for a little while. I can almost pretend I’m not looking over my shoulder every five minutes. However, when my apron vibrates, I can’t pretend a second longer.
Reaching for my cell, I see it’s Cayden calling. “Julia, can you cover for me?” She’s taking an order, but I don’t wait for her to reply as I dart out the back door.
Ensuring the coast is clear, I say in a rushed breath, “Hello. Is everything all right?”
I hate this seems to be the norm these days for answering a call, but I can’t sugarcoat it. I need this done now.
Cayden inhales before replying. “Everything is fine.” But I can tell otherwise.
“He’s called, hasn’t he?”
The weighty pause before his response answers the question for me. “Yes. I’m on my way to see him now.”
“What?” I take a step back, shaking my head. “Now? Are you coming to pick me up on the way?”
“Peyton—”
But I cut him off, furious. “Are you serious? We agreed we’d do this together.”
“I know, but it’s easier this way,” he reasons, but all I hear are excuses.
“Easier? How? You don’t know what you’re walking into.”
“Well, that’s a risk I’m willing to take. On my own. I can’t do this with a clear head if I’m worrying about you,” he presses, but he just infuriates me further.
“So we’re back here again? You trying to protect me? You remember how that ended, right?”
He sighs, clearly frustrated, but there is no way I’m letting this go. “You can hate me from there where it’s safe.”
“Cayden!” I exclaim, angered.
But he won’t hear a word. “I’ve got to go. I’ll call you once it’s done.”
“Once what’s done?” I press, ripping off my apron and yanking open my locker door. There is no way I’m going to stay put.
“It’s time I make amends for all the wrongdoings and to be worthy of your forgiveness.”
I pause from ransacking my locker, mouth agape. Is that why he’s doing this? “I forgive you, Cayden,” I press, my heart breaking when I read between the lines. “But you don’t forgive yourself, do you?”
“I never will, which is why I have to do this. Besides, Benny remembers me. He wouldn’t do anything.”
He’s basing this on blind faith.
“I’ve got to go.” I don’t have a chance to get a word in edgewise because he concludes the call with, “I love you,” then hangs up.
I stare into thin air, blinking in disbelief. What just happened?
Cayden’s guilt just may be the death of him, and I mean that in every literal sense of the word. A lot of time has passed since he last saw Benny. Not to mention, Benny has done time. That changes a man, especially a man who was already a bad seed.
I can’t let him do this alone.
Thinking on my toes, I call the only person who can help me. “Lacey! Do you know where Cayden is going?”
“Peyton?” she questions, because I sound like a hysterical banshee. “What’s wrong?”
Cayden has tried to keep as much of this to ourselves, as he didn’t want to involve Lacey as well, but I’m desperate. “It’s Cayden,” I explain, quickly gathering my belongings. “He’s gone to see someone who used to know your dad. Someone who he thinks can help.” There is no need for me to elaborate.
“Help? With what?” I allow her to figure it out herself. She does a second later. “Oh, my God. No.”
“I’m sorry we didn’t tell you. We just wanted to…protect you.” Saying it aloud, I can understand why Cayden has done what he has. We just want to protect the ones we love.
“I knew something was going on,” she says, and I can just picture her shaking her head at our stupidity. Before I can beg for forgiveness, she displays just who is the brains of this family. “Which is why I put a tracker on Cayden’s phone.”
I pause, not even sure what that means.
“It’s an app,” she reveals. “It traces his steps. As long as his phone is on, I can see where he is.”
I lean against the locker, sighing in relief. “You’re a genius, Lacey.”
“You can thank me later. I’m leaving work and will text you where his location is. Ellie is with her mom today, so she’s out of harm’s way.”
“I’ll organize a ride and meet you, as it’ll take too long if you come and pick me up. As long as one of us catches up to him, the other can catch up.”
“Okay, sounds like a plan. I will be in touch as soon as I leave here.”
We hang up, and by some miracle, I was hoping a cab would be idling by the curb, but no such luck. When I call an Uber and see the wait is eighteen minutes, I curse loudly. That’s a lifetime, especially when you’re in a rush.
With no other choice, I stare at the screen, waiting for Lacey to text or call.