Love in the Shadows

Chapter Nine

(Lucy's POV)

I woke up to the shuffling sounds of Lee and Declan, moving around in the kitchen. The polite thing to do was to get up and go socialize with my hosts but I couldn't seem to get my head off the pillow today.

Leaning back down, I called it. Today was a burrow under the covers and hide away from the world kind of day.

"Tash just called and I've got to go home, she needs my help."

I was such an idiot. I hadn't even known that he was still dating Tash. I had met her when she was his date to Declan and Lee's wedding, she was a stone cold knockout and absolutely hilarious.

We are not in the same ballpark.

The fact that I had built the whole night up into more than it was, was mortifying. I had been well on the pathway to head over heels, and over what? I should have known that Sam was out of my league and that I'd been right all along, we were friends.

When I thought about my anxiety over telling the truth over my dad, I had to laugh. I had felt so strongly that I had to tell the truth because our "chemistry was so promising". I grimaced at my ridiculous notions. Yup, not getting up yet.

Such a fool.

I sent Lee a text.

Me: I feel like garbage. Gonna go back to sleep and I'll talk to you guys later.

Then I put my phone on silent, pulled the covers over my head, and let the darkness silence my thoughts.

********************************************

My mood when I opened my eyes again was vastly improved. Was it embarrassing that I had gotten carried away romanticising a friendly dinner into something it was not, sure.

But, it wasn't the end of the world and letting myself get all upset about it, was making it worse.

I made my way into the kitchen and was surprised to see the time flashing off the oven. "Holy shit! It's two o'clock?" I called it out to Lee and Declan who were spread out on their three piece with "Schitts Creek" on, both their heads popped up.

Lee laughed. "Must have been some night, Luce." He leaped over the back of their sofa and made his way over to me.

Declan and Lincoln's other very talented brother, Gabriel had designed and built their house. Its open concept made it possible to see the lake from their entire main floor but also to see the entire massive space from each of the rooms. It was my dream home and I loved it more and more, every time I stayed here.

Lee's raised eyebrows asked for the gos' but I just gave a smile, not ready to share my silliness. 

He gave me a moment and when it was clear I wasn't going to willingly part with any information about my night, Lee took pity on me. "Okay. We've got coffee, Baileys, donuts and are ready for a Schitt's Creek marathon, you in?"

"Absolutely, I am." Then goods in hand, I hustled over to the couch before him so that I could steal his spot. I landed and called over my shoulder. "You snooze you lose, friend." My mood lightened considerably as my friend strolled back over, handed Declan a fresh coffee and sent me a stink eye as I snuggled his chuckling husband.

"I see how it is. Watch your back, Baylor." I bit back a grin, forcing myself to ignore him because I knew it would grind his gears even more and Declan hit play as we dove into our donuts and tuned out Lee's grumbles.

An undetermined number of episodes... and donuts later, I hit pause and looked at the two men, who were now back cuddling on the other side of the couch. "Can I buy you guys pizza for dinner tonight?"

Declan nodded enthusiastically while also shaking his head, quite the feat. "Yes to the pizza, no to you buying. It's on me tonight. Just let me go get my phone." I looked around as he got up, it appeared all of us had checked out from our devices for the afternoon and it had been much needed.

Declan strolled back in, obviously texting as he walked. "Do neither of you have your phones?"

My stomach dropped, we were supposed to be out of service. It was rare for anyone on the team to be able to be phoneless but it shouldn't have been a problem right now.

It was clear that something was wrong though. Lee's feelings must have aligned with my own because he scrambled up to peer over his husband's shoulder.

"Shit. Tell him that I'll go grab mine now." Lee left the room and I watched as Declan texted and then looked up.

His eyes were wide as he explained. "Sam had to go back to Lake Ridge last night. Tasha's sister, Tanya, is missing. She hasn't been seen since just about 2 P.M. yesterday."

Oh my god, he actually had an emergency.

I hadn't even texted to see how he was, assuming that he had been blowing me off for his girlfriend or scared off that he was on a date with the spawn of a murderer.

Even if we were just friends, what kind of friend doesn't even ask if they can help or what's going on?

Dick move, Luce.

"How old is Tanya?"

"Sixteen. Looks like a mini Tasha. She was visiting Sam with her last summer. She's a super sweet kid."

Lee walked back in, already talking on the phone. "Yah man, sorry we've been holed up, device free all afternoon. I'm so sorry. Luce and I will head out now. No, Sam. We are coming. It'll take us a couple hours and then we can join in the search. Yes, I'm sure. You get back to it and one of us will be in touch when we're closer."

I listened to Lee's side of the conversation as I moved towards my room so that I could pack up and get ready. As he stopped talking, I called out, "Do I have time for a quick shower?"

"Yup, I'm taking one too." Then I heard his apology to Declan. "I'm sorry babe, I know I just got home."

I closed my door as I heard Declan say, "No, don't feel bad. I wouldn't want you to stay. I'm glad you guys are available to go up." 

I pulled out my overnight bag and threw in some clean clothes, in a complete daze. Sixteen and missing, my cop mind refused to shut off and worry ate away at my heart knowing that Sam would be struggling with the same thing. My eyes caught the time on my watch.

She's been missing for 28 hours. We're coming, Tanya.