his little girl // jiley

Chapter XXII

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C H A P T E R
T W E N T Y T W O
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TWO DAYS LATER, and James is still M.I.A. I'm worried sick about him, and so is Hazel, his daughter, whom he seems to have abandoned.

Hazel sits quietly drawing a picture, sitting on the floor in the living room. She's asked about him so many times, and I'm running out of lies to tell her.

I pretend to watch the TV, while really I'm thinking about james. This is kind of my fault, isn't it? He left because I didn't tell him, and if something was to happen... It would be on me.

I shake the thought off me, because let's be honest, it would be entirely James's fault. He brought this on himself. He ran away.

Its not until an hour later I hear the phone ring, and by now, saying I had low expectations would be to underestimate dramatically.

When I pick up, Eldon's voice rings through, "heyyyyy, rileyyyy..." He says awkwardly.

"Hey, Eldon," I sigh. "What's up?"

"Um. Well, I have good news and bad news," he tells me straight out. "Which one first?"

"I'll go with the good news."

"We found James!"

"Oh my God, seriously?" I breathe out in relief. "Where? Is he okay?"

I can hear Eldon hesitate. "That's the bad news," he tells me. "We found him outside some bar in the city. He was passed out - drunk as hell."

I sigh in anger. "Where is he now? Is he alright?"

"Ummm... Sort of. Not really. He's really drunk, I think he should stay at mine for a bit.... Hazel and all."

I nod even though Eldon can't see me. "Yeah, yeah, that's probably for the best," I say quietly. "When he's a little more sane, could you please tell him he's fucked when he gets home? Thanks," I add sweetly. Then I hang up.

I drop onto the sofa in exasperation, dropping my phone down beside me. Great. Just fucking great. He decided to run off, leaving me worried for days, just so he could go and wash his 'issues' away with alcohol and god knows what else. I wonder what else he done...

After a while I realise I can't wait any longer. I need to give him a piece of my mind. I drop Hazel off at Michelle's on my way, and I drive to Eldon and Wests, mentally putting together what I'm going to say to him.

When I arrive I hesitate on going in for a few seconds. I pick up all the courage I have and I knock on the door.

West answers. "Oh, hello, RILEY," he shouts my name as a signal to the others.

"Hello, WEST," I mock. "Let me in."

"I'm afraid James has requested no visitors-"

"West, let. Me. In."

He sighs and steps aside, and I barge in. I see James lying on the sofa, looking like shit.

"What's she doing here?" He asks groggily. "I told you not to let her in." He glares at me.

"James, where have you been?" I demand. "And I want the truth."

"At the pub, got a problem?"

"Yes, kind of! You can't do that -"

"And you can't hide the fact you're pregnant!" He retorts. "I needed alcohol."

"And how many problems did that fix for you? Huh?" I ask him. "I bet sleeping with other girls was very therapeutic."

His face hardens and he looks away. It's like he just stabbed me in the heart when he pretty much admits to sleeping with other girls. My jaw drops.

"Riley, I'm sorry -" James starts, standing up even though he wobbles a little bit. I realise his eyes are red.

"No, James," I say, my voice cracking. But I can't cry right now. "Get away from me, and my unborn children, and most of all, you better stay away from Hazel. She deserves more."

Before I turn and leave, I practically see his heart breaking. But do I care? No. I don't.

He brought this on himself.

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Sorry it's short!!