Shourtney AU - Loving So Hard (Mature)

#21 - Empty

*Courtney*

I returned home to see Jango feasting on his dog food. I smiled as he nuzzled my leg, but Shayne was nowhere to be seen.

"Shayne?" I called out.

No response.

"Shayne!?" I tried again, louder.

Again, nothing. I set my bag down on the coffee table and started to walk towards our bedroom, but then I noticed a sheet of paper on the worktop in the kitchen, with Shayne's scribbly handwriting making up about half of the page. I picked it up with trepidation and began reading.

Courtney,

I'm going to be away from the apartment for a few days. I thought it would be best to give you some space. I'm so incredibly sorry if I caused you to be upset. Jessica means absolutely nothing to me, and I would never cheat on you. You mean the world to me, Courtney, and as I've said countless times, without you my life is not worth living. I hope you can realise how very much I love you, my soulmate.

Love now and forever, Shayne

I put the paper down with a shaky hand and began crying again. Immediately, I reached for my phone and called Shayne. However, much to my surprise, there was no response. I tried a further eight times, but he didn't answer. Therefore, I called Damien, assuming that Shayne had gone to stay with him. He picked up within a couple of rings.

"What's up, Courtney?" Damien greeted.

"C-Can I speak to Shayne, please?" I inquired with a shaky tone.

"Shayne? Is he not with you?"

"N-No. He left me a note saying he was gonna be away from the apartment, I assumed he would be s-staying with you for a couple of days," I answered, feeling cold tears sliding down my cheeks.

Damien replied, "Well, he isn't here. Why isn't he with you, anyway?"

"We had a s-stupid fight, but please, I just need to know where he is."

Damien sighed, "I'm really sorry Court, but I have no idea. Have you tried calling his parents? Maybe he went to stay with them?"

"Ok, I-I'll try. Thanks D-Damien."

"No problem, you want me to come over?"

"No, it's fine, just l-let me know if you hear from Shayne," I replied, crying.

"Will do," Damien responded.

I hung up the phone and called both of Shayne's parents, as well as his half-brothers, but no one had heard from him or seen him. I broke down into violent tears and cradled my knees as I rocked back and forth. That was when I truly realised I had screwed up, big time...