Trace of Innocence (No Control Book 3)

Chapter 51

(No Control - 51. Where Do Broken Hearts Go?)

I stare after her for a moment, frozen to the spot in shock.

She just walked away from me. I can't believe it.

It takes me a second to react. With trembling hands I pull my phone out of my pocket. It takes me three attempts to unlock it.

I scroll to Jess's name and slide my finger across the screen to call her.

Please answer. Please answer.

After two rings she diverts the call, and I pull it away from my ear and redial. She diverts it again. On my third attempt it doesn't even ring, and my stomach drops to the floor as I fear she's switched her phone off completely.

Dale is touching my arm and muttering something to me but I don't hear him. Blood is pounding in my ears and my heart is thumping.

I try again, and this time it rings twice and diverts to voicemail. Fuck.

I take a deep breath and look up as Dale says, "Harry, we need to get out of here."

"No."

I type out a message to her, hitting the wrong keys repeatedly and having to backspace about ten times.

Please please answer your phone xxx

I run my hand through my hair, let out a shaky breath and try her twice more. Both times it does ten rings (not that I'm counting) before going to voicemail.

What the hell am I supposed to do now? Why won't she fucking talk to me? I'm really starting to panic now.

I text her again.

I don't blame you for being upset but hear me out. It really isn't what you think, I promise xxx

"Harry," Dale urges. "You're going to attract a crowd if you don't get a move on. Come on."

"I said no," I reply, not rudely but firmly. "I need her to come back out here and talk to me. I'm going nowhere until she does."

I call her again and it rings another ten times before the voicemail message starts. I listen to it as the automated voice reads out her number, and wait for the beep.

"Hey baby, it's me, it's Harry..," I begin. "I'm so sorry.. please will you come back and just speak to me, that's all I ask, just let me tell you the full story."

I know my voice sounds small and pathetic but I don't care.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you any of this sooner but I swear on my life I haven't seen her since I've known you. I should have told you last night when you asked me but I didn't want to ruin it, not after we'd..."

I hesitate.

"...we'd got so close... I know I seem to keep fucking up but I've never lied to you..."

OK, that's a lie as well. Be fucking honest, for fuck's sake.

"Well... apart from last night, but that was the only time I swear. I'm sorry. Please just call me. Even if it's just to yell at me. I just want to say sorry. I feel like shit, Jess. So, um, just call me back OK? Please. Bye."

I end the call and stare at the door to Departures, waiting for her face to appear.

It doesn't.

What the fuck is it going to take to get her to talk to me? Do I have to buy a ticket somewhere random just to get through to the Departure Lounge?

Wait, that's not a bad idea. In fact, that's a fucking brilliant idea.

If I have to buy a ticket to get through the gate I will, I text her, and stride over to the Virgin desk.