The Replacement Boyfriend

Chapter 27

Zayne

I only saw Tace's message in the morning on Sunday. She had texted around one in the morning. I replied to her text, telling her that I was glad she was okay. I was done freshening up and getting ready to take Amara to the mall to look for scary Halloween costumes when my phone lit up with Tace's number.

"Hey," I said, trying to sound casual, as if I hadn't been waiting for her to call.

"Hey, good news," she told me, her voice light as if she was completely anxiety free.

I wondered whether she had the pill to thank for that or whether it was because of the people she was with. I instantly felt a pang of jealousy.

"You sound really happy, I can tell," I told her, trying to sound normal. "What's the good news?"

"Erin – their little sister – she woke up this morning," she answered. "We're going to see her now. I think she's going to be okay now."

"Does that mean you guys are going to be in Chicago by tonight?" I asked her, feeling a tingly feeling of hope bubble in my chest. "I'm taking Amara to the mall right now and I'll be leaving in the evening."

"I'm, uh, not sure," she told me and I heard cars honk in the background. "It's not up to me but let's see. I'll let you know, okay? Take care and kiss Amara for me."

"Yeah," I tried to brush off my disappointment. I really wanted her to be back in Chicago with me. I had spent the weekend without her, barely calling or texting her either and it sucked. "See you. Bye."

"Bye, Zayne," she said quickly. "Jax, don't you dare-" she disconnected the call and I felt all my hopes deflate at the sound of his name.

Maybe it was the people who were making her anxiety free. Maybe she was doing the right thing by surrounding herself with more people.

I headed out, kissing my mom on the cheek and saying goodbye to my dad before I walked over to Tace's house. Amara was already waiting outside on the porch, looking sullen.

"What's up, ankle bitter?" I asked her, taking a seat next to her on the step.

"I want Tace to help me pick out a costume," she pouted.

"Tace is at the hospital right now," I told her. "The girl who got into the accident woke up."

"Really?" she asked, her eyes lighting up. Amara was really was like her elder sister. They both expressed their happiness easily, even for people they didn't know. "That's good."

"Yeah, so don't worry, okay?" I told her, patting her on the head. "Tace will be here on thanksgiving."

"She better be," she frowned. "I'm not eating turkey without her mashed potato and gwavy."

I laughed, agreeing that Tace's mashed potato and gravy were amazing. She even threw in some cheese into the mashed potato, just for Amara.

"But I wanted her to help me pick a costume," she sighed.

"What am I? A potato?" I asked her and she looked at me and laughed. "I told you I'm going to help you find a costume that will kick butt."

"Okay, let's go!" she stood up and I followed her lead.

n