The Replacement Boyfriend

Chapter 24

Zayne

I knew it had been a bad idea for Tace to go home with Jax and Cassidy and I wasn't just saying that because I was jealous or because I didn't want her anywhere near Jax. I knew she'd somehow end up having a panic attack, only I hadn't expected it to happen the morning after she reached Springfield. But I couldn't make excuses as to why I hadn't picked up her call, even though I had been talking to Amara. So when I called back and Jax picked up the phone, I knew something wasn't right.

"Why are you picking up her phone?" I asked him as soon as he spoke into the phone. "Where is she? She just called me a few minutes ago."

"I have a question, answer me quickly," he said, ignoring my questions. "We know Tace has anxiety issues. Does she have pills for it?"

"Yes, I told her to carry them with her. Why?" I asked, my heart speeding up.

Had she had a panic attack? Had she taken the pills because I hadn't picked up the phone when she called? Had I disappointed her again after telling her that I'd be there for her and to call me if something happened? I felt like a horrible person.

"Are they supposed to knock her out?" he asked, sounding worried. "Because when I found her, she wasn't panicking anymore but now she passed out. I can't wake her up."

"It's a high dosage," I told him, relaxing because I knew the one time she had taken them, she had fallen asleep for a long time. But she'd wake up and she'd be anxiety free for longer. "Let her sleep. It's also a pill for insomnia. Don't worry but I'm telling you now, she's not going to wake up for a while."

"What do you mean a while?" he asked, sounding serious. "How long is a while?"

"Twelve hours or so," I tried not to sound casual about it even though I wanted to rub it in his face that I knew her better than he did or ever could.

"That's a long time," he murmured. "I'll make sure she calls you when she wakes up. Cass, change her into something comfortable-"

Then he disconnected the call on me and I wondered whether I should be relieved that he had said they'd call when she woke up or worried about whether they would be able to take care of her.

"What's wrong?" Amara asked me when I came back downstairs.

I had taken the phone call upstairs because I hadn't known what was going on and I didn't want to worry Amara if she had asked to speak to Tace and Tace was having an attack.

"Nothing, nothing," I brushed her off.

"Was that Tace?" she asked and I shook my head. "Dane?"

"No, love," I laughed, wishing that it had been Dane instead.

Even though I had been looking forward to hearing from Tace. I hadn't wanted her to go through a panic attack for her to call me. I mean, yeah, I had wanted her to lean on me but I also wanted to be the one she called when she had good news. Dane had been the person for both of those things for her.

"Then who?" she asked, poking my thigh when I sat down next to her on the couch.

"My roommate," I lied and regretted it instantly but I didn't have any other choice. "I'll make sure you meet him one day, okay? He's amazing."

"Okay!" she exclaimed, looking excited. "Let's plan turkey day and you can tell Tace all about it!"

I laughed at her and messed up her hair. "Thanksgiving is a long time away. Should I help you think of Halloween costumes instead? Then your mom can send pictures of you in your costumes to Tace on Halloween."

"Okay!" her eyes lit up. "It has to be super scawry!"

"Okay, so I guess being a princess is out." I joked.