Autumn Haze

21: 'The one with Lonely Jack's ...'

Today was supposed to be a joyous occasion, one only filled with love, warmth and laughter. Scarlett has just given birth to the most beautiful baby girl, I've ever seen in my entire life. I fell in love the second I laid my eyes on her.

But truthfully, I felt fucking sick.

I felt sick because Luke should be standing here with us all celebrating, he should be holding his niece in his arms with that stupidly handsome smile of his.

I excused myself to go home about an hour after Violet was born, I know that I was being a beyond shitty best friend right now but all I could think about was Luke and his safety. I felt fucking wretched for lying to Scarlett because I wasn't even going home, I was going to Toby's house because he agreed to help his track Luke's phone.

I rub a tired hand over my face as I knock on Toby's door, after a few seconds a sheepish looking blonde boy greets me, 'Autumn.'

'Toby.'

'I know you must hate me.'

I shake my head, 'I don't hate you, I'm just really fucking disappointed in the person you turned out to be.'

'I'm trying to change.'

I shrug, 'People say that all the time, words only mean so much. Actions speak louder.'

'I know.'

I sigh loudly, 'Have you tracked down his phone, yet?'

He rubs the back of his neck, 'Kind of.'

I raise an eyebrow, 'What does kind of mean? Either you've fucking done it or you fucking haven't.'

I couldn't care less that I was being a raging bitch right now.

'I mean I've found the location on his phone but-'

'But what?'

'It just doesn't look like somewhere that Luke would go that's all.'

My stomach drops dramatically, 'What do you mean?'

'The location was pinned at some strip-club nearly thirty minutes out of town.'

'What strip-club? I need the name.'

'Uh...Lonely Jacks.'

I nod curtly, 'Thank you.'

'Autumn, what the fuck is going on?'

'Look, I appreciate your help with the phone and stuff, but that's it, you don't need to get any further involved.'

'Why? What's wrong? Is Luke in trouble?'

A bitter laugh escapes my lips, 'Would you even care if he was?'

'Of course, I'd fucking care. You guys may have stopped being my friend, but I never stopped being yours.'

'Is Scarlett just the exception then?'

'Look, I know I fucked up. I didn't know how to handle my feelings for her, I got jealous and I reacted poorly.'

I narrow my eyes, 'You spiked her fucking drink, you piece of shit.'

'I-It was just supposed to be a joke.'

I clench my jaw tightly, 'You think spiking girls is fucking funny?'

'It was only with vodka.'

'I don't give a fuck, what it was with. I don't give a shit about your pathetic little sob story! I've been through fucking hell and back, I don't go around putting stuff in people's drinks without their permission.'