Begin Again

chapter twenty one

I SPEND THE entire drive to Miles' apartment trying to phone him. But every time I press the call button, his cell rings a few times before going to voicemail.

"Hey, this is Miles. I can't come to the phone right now–" I disconnect the call before the beep sounds, indicating the caller to leave a message. Slamming my hand on the steering wheel, I feel frustrated with the fact that he either has his phone deep in his bag, he is screening my calls, or he is already on the plane to God knows where.

I hope it's between the first two scenarios and not the latter.

Pulling into the front of his building, I quickly double-park, hopping out of the vehicle in one solid movement. I don't glance back, my feet carrying me toward the entrance. I silently pray that I don't see a ticket on the car when I return. Even though I might have a little right to force Talia to pay for it with everything that had happened, I feel she'll still curse me to the heavens.

My feet skid across the floor as I run down the hallway, managing to stop myself right in front of his door. Banging my fist against it, I wait impatiently for someone to open it, hoping that someone will be Miles.

The sound of turning locks makes my ears perk up, and I hold my breath as the door slowly opens.

"Evie?"

My chest deflates when Nick's face comes into view. He looks surprised to see me, his eyebrows practically shooting up his hairline. I smile, trying to take a peek into the apartment from over his shoulder.

"Hi, is Miles here?" When Nick shakes his head, I feel my entire demeanor change. I part my lips, wracking my brain for something to say, but honestly, I'd been putting all my trust into him still being at his apartment.

Nick senses my distraught attitude, stepping aside as he shoots me a sympathetic smile. "Come in."

I step further into the apartment, biting hard on my lower lip so I don't burst into tears in the middle of their living room. Monica and Wesley are sprawled out on the couch; the television paused in—what looks like—a rather intense action scene. I look towards the side, noticing the way Miles' door is slightly cracked, and I fight down the urge to walk over to it, to walk into the room that had started my relationship with him.

"Hey, Evie. What's going on?" Monica asks, forcing my gaze away from his door.

I let out a shaky breath. "I made a mistake, and I was hoping that I wasn't too late to fix it."

Monica jumps up from the couch, her expression one of complete sadness as she walks over to me, engulfing me in a hug.

"I know; Miles told us everything." I feel myself sink into her embrace even more. I'm surprised they are all being so kind when I've caused so much heartbreak for Miles. Pulling away from Monica, I swipe at my eyes to eliminate any lingering tears that may have fallen.

"I just—I don't understand; why would he leave suddenly?"

I watch Monica, Nick, and Wesley exchange uneasy glances from the corner of my eye. Before I can question it, though, Nick begins speaking.

"He went to Los Angeles to meet with Republic Records and discuss his contract."

With everything that had happened, I'd completely forgotten that Miles had been signed to a record label. I feel my shoulders deflate even more. He'd wanted to share a moment with me, and I'd ruined it.

"When is he coming back?" I ask them.

This time, Wesley is the one shooting me sympathetic looks. "We don't know."

"You don't know?" I repeat in disbelief.

"All he said was that he'd be back at some point to get the rest of his stuff," Monica interjects.