I couldn’t sleep last night. I was and still am worried about Caz.
I searched the internet all night, trying to find information about the Cold Tether, but there’s nothing. In my world, it doesn’t exist…or maybe I’m just looking in all the wrong places.
Regardless, this Tether doesn’t make any sense to me. How can two people who are supposed to be soulmates, not be able to be together? Something about it feels wrong. It’s almost a form of torture—wanting something you know is yours, that you can’t live without, yet being forced away from it.
Every hour, a deeper sensation builds in my chest. It grows stronger the more I think about Caz, and there’s a sliver of pain when I try to get him out of my mind. A bond like this doesn’t just go away, no matter what world we’re in.
Something doesn’t add up, and now that I’m back home, I feel there’s only one person I can talk to openly about it. After my third cup of coffee, I collect my bag and phone and leave my apartment, but when I reach the parking lot, I spot Garrett closing his car door with his foot. A pink box is in one hand, probably full of pastries from one of his favorite bakeries, and in the other is a drink tray with two iced coffees. At the sight of him, my mouth becomes dry. What the hell is he doing here?
“Garrett, hi.” I purposely give my keys a jingle, a clear indication that I’m about to leave. “I didn’t know you were stopping by.”
“Wanted to surprise you,” he says, meeting up to me, his face solemn. For a surprise, he doesn’t look very happy.
“Well, look at that. I’m surprised.” I force a laugh. I really wish he would’ve called before popping up. I should start instilling boundaries.
“I know I should’ve called,” he says, as if reading my mind. “I just stopped by to make sure you’re okay.”
“I’m fine. But yeah, you should’ve called first because I have a few things to do.”
“Where are you headed? I can go with you.”
“I’m going to see Faye and then grab a few groceries.” The last part is a lie, though I do need groceries.
“Oh. Girl time?” He smirks, and I force another laugh. He then shifts on his feet. He’s being weird, and it’s making me uncomfortable. “Look, is there anything you need? Anything you want to talk about?”
“No, not really. I just need to see Faye first. I told her I’d swing by.” That much is true. I just didn’t say when, and since it’s fall, she’s busy at the bookstore, but I can help her there. There are always books needing to be shelved or tables to clean off in the café area. Plus, people love being there when the weather cools off and they’re seeking a cozy place to hang out.
Garrett places the box of baked goodies on the trunk of my car as well as the drinks. Stuffing his hands into his front pockets, he says, “She told me about Warren.”
I try not to flinch at the name. “What about him?”
“I know his birthday is tomorrow. Just like yours.”
I look away, at anything but Garrett. “Okay?”
“I think you may have disappeared because you were thinking about him.”
“I told you I just needed some time away, Garrett. Let’s not make it a big deal.”
“From your own home?” he asks, confused. There’s urgency in his eyes as he silently demands answers and, truthfully, I don’t feel like answering them right now. It’s not the time to talk about Warren or our birthday. Not that it would even matter because he’s not here to celebrate it anymore, and I’m not in the mood to celebrate my own.
“Look, Garrett, no offense, but you and I don’t talk about things this personal, so forgive me if I don’t want to talk about my brother right now.”
His eyes grow bigger, as if shocked by my statement. Something about his eyes alarms me. They darken in a way I’ve never seen before. Taking his hands out of his pockets, he steps closer to me. “I get that, but I’m your boyfriend, Willow. And I’m trying to be here for you.”
“You’re not my boyfriend! When did we ever say we’re a couple?”
“Are you fucking kidding? I bring you shit every day. I spend time with you, spend the night with you, check in on you!”
“Yeah, you do most of that without running it by me! You think you own me, but you don’t!”
“What did you just say?” His eyes flare, his nostrils too. I was right. Something about his eyes has changed, and I can’t put my finger on it. He takes another step closer, and I draw in a calming breath.
“Look, I really have to go.”
“Why the hell are you trying to avoid me?” He’s right in front of me now, and he grips my upper arm with both hands. It startles me to the point that tears creep to my eyes, and I’m reminded of Rami. The hopelessness. The fear.
“Garrett, let go of me,” I say through clenched teeth.
“You’re so fucking ungrateful,” he growls in my face. “It’s no wonder you’re so alone and miserable.”
His words are like a slap to the face. I stare at him, stunned, then shove him hard against the chest, forcing him off me. His back hits the side of a car, and his eyes widen.
“Fucking leave!”
“What?”
“You heard me! Leave!” I shout. “Or I’m calling the cops!”
He glares at me while shaking his head. “Fine. You know what?” He turns around, snatching up the iced coffees and box of pastries and chucking them on the ground. Cream and coffee spill on the blacktop, running toward the pile of muffins.
“You’re a fucking bitch, Willow! You’ve wasted so much of my time and you’re gonna regret that shit!” With those words in the air, he storms away. My heart pounds in my chest as I watch him return to his car, start the engine, and peel off, his tires screeching.
When he’s gone, I close my eyes, draw in a deep breath, and then open them to climb into my car.
It won’t be the last time I see him, I’m sure of it, but for now, he’s not the priority. Getting back to Caz is.
