Page 49 of Far from Destined

“What’s wrong?” Pop asked, her eyes narrowing.

“Adam was here. He left a note.”

“I’m calling the cops.”

“I’ll call the detective,” I said. “He’s who I need to contact.”

“There’s someone else you should call,” Myra added.

“The school. Yes, I need to call the school.”

“Okay, make that, multiple someones you need to call,” Myra said, pulling out her phone. “I’ll work on our group text. But you need to call Macon.”

I shook my head, even though I knew she was right. Macon would want to know, and for some reason, I felt like he had a right to. Something was changing between us, and maybe it was wrong for me to want him. Perhaps it was wrong for me to lean on him. But all I knew was that having him near soothed me, even as it excited me.

I was probably all wrong about this and making a mistake…yet…I wasn’t sure if I cared.

Myra started calling our friends as I called the detective. I hated the man, the way he spoke down to me. But I followed protocol, even though I knew it didn’t matter. Because nobody was going to listen to me but my friends and myself. But at least I tried.

I called Joshua’s school, and they said he was fine. They even checked on him for me, even if I felt like I was losing my mind.

And then I called Macon.

“Dakota? What’s wrong?”

I let out a breath. Again, those were his first words to me. What would happen when I called him simply because I wanted to hear his voice? I was almost afraid I would never allow myself to let that happen.

Or if I did…that we’d run out of time.

“Adam was here, at the café.”

He cursed. “Okay, shit. I’m just now seeing the texts from the others.” He paused. “Thanks for calling me. Are you okay?”

“I don’t know. Joshua’s safe. But I just want him home, you know?”

“I’m staying the night.”

“Macon,” I whispered.

“I need to make sure you’re both safe. I know it’s irrational, but that’s what I need. Will you let me?”

“I think I need it, too,” I whispered.

He was silent for so long, I didn’t know what he would say next. My heart raced, and I swallowed hard.

“Good. I’ll be there. I’ll always be there.”

I wanted to believe him—knew I needed to.

But I also knew what happened when you trusted someone, and it didn’t work out.

I didn’t want that to happen again.

Chapter 12

Macon

I wanted to hit someone.I needed todosomething. Only if I resorted to using my fists, I’d fuck things up more and scare the hell out of Dakota in the process. So even though the dreams where I could hear the screams and feel the pain came on harder and more often, despite feeling helpless as to what to do about Dakota, I didn’t go to the ring.