Starting With You

52. It was definitely a mic drop moment.

Jensen

FUCK, THAT WAS AN EPIC WASTE OF TIME, I think as I take the stairs two at a time to my apartment. Not only did I not get anywhere when trying to talk to Caroline, we were interrupted by an emergency with my grandpa. I realized halfway there that I forgot my phone and couldn't text Teddy, so I was on edge while trying to deal with one of my grandpa's spirals. He rarely gets in moods like that, and usually they call my dad when he does. I feel completely helpless, as was the case today when I showed up to him throwing things and demanding to go home.

I release a long sigh upon entering my apartment, taking a moment to catch my breath. When I don't get the usual greeting from Scout, I look at his favorite napping spot in front of the window to find it empty.

"Scout!" I yell, combing my hands through my hair, trying to rid the remaining feelings of unease. "Ready to go see Mommy? She's probably texted a bunch of times by now. You know how impatient she is."

I cross to the kitchen to retrieve my phone, pausing when I see the flash of red on the counter. "The fuck?"

I lift the piece of paper next to the panties and scan the words quickly, blowing out a huff of breath. "Shit. Caroline. What the fuck?"

Glaring at the offensive underwear, I snatch my phone off the counter and ignore all the notifications and immediately call my girlfriend. Once I reach her voicemail, I hang up and try again. When I get the same results, I decide to send a quick text instead.

ME: Where are you? Call me.

When it goes unanswered, I decide to take matters into my own hands and search for her. I drive to her apartment first, seeing her car parked in the lot, but there's no answer at the door. I drive to our favorite hiking spots and then aimlessly around town for a while. When I still can't find her, I pull over to send a text to Rylie.

ME: Hey, have you seen or heard from Teddy?

RYLIE: What'd you do now?

ME: Cut the crap, Rylie. Just answer the question.

RYLIE: Chill, dude. I haven't seen your girl. But if you can't find her, maybe take the hint. Give her some space.

I groan reading her response. I'm about to put the truck in drive and take Rylie's advice when more texts come in.

SUTTON: Guess who put the Wicked Witch of Lake Hope in her place?

FINN: Oooohh, lemme guess! The witch being Caroline, naturally. So...our favorite soon-to-be sister-in-law if our biggest brother gets his shit together?

ME: Fuck off, Finn.

SUTTON: Ding, ding, ding.

VIVIAN: Shut. Up. What'd Teddy do? Did you record it?

FINN: Please tell me you recorded it!

SUTTON: Shit, I wish. It happened too fast to pull my phone out. It was definitely a mic drop moment, though. Teddy is my new hero.

ME: Jesus, Sutton. Just spill already. What happened?

SUTTON: The witch tried to pretend like you two were on a date. Teddy set her straight. Then she had one of those epic walk away moments with Scout where she called you Daddy. It was great.

CHARLIE: Like the great poet T. Swift says, wake up and smell the breakup; realize that we won't make up.

SULLY: The fuck, Charlie? I thought we talked about your Taylor Swift obsession.