Page 51 of Wait For You
“How is that even legal?”
Colin sighed. “There are ethics rules, but we have to decide when to file a complaint. In this case, he retired. Now, it means waiting another month for a hearing. In the meantime, make sure Tessa documents everything. It’s best if she only communicates with Rich via text because that creates a record.”
“There’s nothing else we can do?” I pressed.
“Unless she wants to call the police and make a report.”
At my resigned sigh, he nodded. “Even if it would eventually help, any legal involvement can ratchet up the situation.”
Although Colin was gracious and wanted to help, I left a few minutes later, feeling helpless. I called Tessa, but I just got her voicemail.
Two weeks later
* * *
Tessa wasn’t answering my calls. She was only texting. My heart hurt.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Tessa
The weeks were passing. The job I loved was a challenge at the moment. I still loved it, but it was hard for me to focus. I missed Adam, and I felt trapped by Rich again. I kept telling myself it wasn’t as bad as actually being with Rich. He was using Eric to keep me in line, to make sure I couldn’t be happy.
“Just dinner?” Eric’s voice punctured my train of thought.
I glanced sideways in the car where we waited to turn out of the pick-up line at school.
“Just dinner. I think.”
“Dad never says until he decides to drop me off. It’s so stupid,” Eric muttered.
I opened my mouth to correct him, to maybe say that he didn’t need to call it stupid. But it was stupid, so I let it slide.
A few minutes later, I dropped him off with his dad. Lisa hadn’t been with Rich the last time Eric and him had dinner, but Eric said they were still dating. I didn’t know if I cared anymore. Of course, I wanted her to be safe, but it was out of my hands.
I left, still cold. It felt like I’d been cold ever since the night Rich sent me those texts. I went to work. The students had a new assignment to match distances in Alaska with distances in the Lower 48. It was fun, and our social media channels were busy with updates. It was one of the few things that could make me smile these days.
My phone vibrated with a text just as I parked behind the recording station. I pulled it out to see Adam’s name on the screen. We were texting, and I knew he wanted me to call, but he actually respected that I just couldn’t handle it right now. That made me love him all the more. Rich would’ve badgered me. Adam simply said he understood and he loved me.
Adam: I’m missing you. I’ll see you tonight on the weather report.
Me: If you decide to stay up late, I’m doing the early news and the late news. The guy who does the late report is out of town.
Adam: I’ll be watching both. Love you.
Tears stung in my eyes.
Me: Love you too.
I did love him. And I didn’t know what the hell to do about this mess. I truly felt like I was going to have to let go. I almost felt like I was dragging things out too much.
On the weather report
* * *
“Tonight will be crystal clear with possibly a show from the northern lights, our late summer ones. We have a question submitted from viewers about what causes the northern lights and the best times of year to look for them.”
“Last, we will close with a viewer-submitted photo from the northern lights yesterday evening up in Barrow, Alaska. And now, back to Tara, who has the latest on the local news.”