Chapter Twenty-Three
Jordan
“I can’t take this any longer,” I say, grabbing my car keys off the table.
I’ve waited all day, but there’s been no sign of Mia.
And now it’s getting late.
And I’m beyond fucking worried.
I tried calling her cell a few hours ago. I got her number from the booking in sheet. How bad is that – I didn’t even know her cell number. But then I’ve never needed to call her, and I’ve not once seen her with a cell in all the time I’ve been with her. Still, I had to give it a try.
It was a dead end. It was switched off, and I couldn’t even leave a damn voicemail because her mailbox was full.
I’m frustrated, and I feel fucking helpless, so now I’m doing the only thing I can. I’m going to look for her.
“I’ll come with you.” Dad gets to his feet.
“No, stay here in case she comes back. If she does, call me right away.”
“Where are you gonna look?” he asks as I pull the front door open.
I pause. I have no fucking clue. I was just going to drive around Durango until I got an idea.
Turning back to him, I ask, “Where would you look?”
He rubs his hand over his short, greying hair. “If I were Mia and I was in a town that wasn’t home and not familiar, and after what she just found out … if it were me, I’d want a bar and alcohol … but I don’t think she’s that kind of girl,” he adds as I shake my head no.
“She’s not.”
“Then I’d want somewhere quiet. Somewhere I could be alone.”
“Where’s quiet?”
“Here,” he says.
“Another hotel?”
“I’d say so.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
I run out to the Mustang and tear up the gravel, speeding out of there.
***
I’ve checked the parking lots of ten hotels so far looking for her car, and nothing.
I don’t know if I’m wasting my time here. She could have left town, but I have to keep looking.
I pull up at the stop sign at a junction. Feeling lost, not sure which way to turn, I rest my forehead against the steering wheel.
A second later, a horn blasts out from behind, frightening the shit out of me. My eyes hit the rear-view to see a car behind.
“All right! I’m moving!” I call out. I shift into gear and take a right.
It’s not until I’m half-way down the street, I realize I’m on my way out of town. Maybe she has left, and this is my sub-conscious telling me.
Feeling disheartened, and like a complete failure, I start to make a U-turn, taking one quick glance around to make sure all is clear, and that’s when I see her car. It’s parked outside a seedy looking motel.
My heart stops.
Then restarts with a thundering gallop.
Swallowing my nerves, I spin around and drive into the motel lot, parking by the office.
The guy behind the desk looks like a complete stoner. He doesn’t even look away from the TV when I walk in.
I hate that Mia felt she had nowhere to stay but here. She doesn’t belong in a place like this. She belongs with me.
“Hey man.” I rest my hands on the counter. “I was wondering if you to do me a favor. My girlfriend and I had a fight—” Girlfriend. That’s the first time I’ve called Mia my girlfriend. Funny when I’m not even sure what we are anymore. “—and it was a real big one. I really need to talk to her, but she’s not answering her cell.”
“Then I’m guessing she don’t wanna talk to you,” he says flatly without taking his eyes of the TV.
I curl my hands into fists.
Ignoring him, I say in a clipped tone. “Look, her car’s parked up front. I know she’s staying here. I just need you to tell me what room she’s staying in.”
Technically he can’t, I know this. But this isn’t the most reputable of establishments. So he’ll either tell me, or be a complete dick. From the look on his face, I’m figuring the latter.
His lips curl as he smirks. “You’re talking about the cute blonde with the tight ass, drives a car as hot as she is? Was here the other day as well – stayed for just the day.”
She stayed here the other day?
All my muscles lock, rigid tight.
“I’m guessing for a nooner,” dickface continues. “And going by the look on your face, it definitely wasn’t with you.” He laughs. “Yeah, man. You’re not getting shit from me.”
I reach over the counter and grab hold of his shirt, dragging him off his chair. “You will tell me what room she’s in, right fuckin’ now,” I hiss in his face, “or I’m gonna kick your ass, then I’m gonna bang on every fuckin’ door of your scummy motel, dragging out all your regular business – the ones who don’t want interrupting ’cause they earn by the hour – until I find her.”
He opens his mouth, but I stop him before he starts.
“And before you cry about calling the cops, my dad is the cops—” Okay, so that’s a lie. But I’m playing all I got here. “—so don’t waste your fuckin’ time ’cause they ain’t coming out for your low rent dive, or a piece of shit like you. Now tell me what fuckin’ room she’s in!”
He grabs his shirt, pulling it from my hand, freeing himself. “Fine!” he huffs, breathing heavily. “Whatever! Like I give a shit! She’s in room 106.”
“See, now that wasn’t so hard, was it?”
I slam the door, and head down the walkway toward her room.
One-oh-six. I rap on the door and wait.
Nothing.
I look through the crack in the curtains. The room’s dark except for the flickering TV, but no sign of Mia.
I knock again, louder, calling her name through the door.
Waiting, I listen for movement.
Still nothing.
“Mia!” I bang again. “I know you’re in there. Your car’s out front. I just need to know you’re okay.”
I press my ear to the door, listening for noise. Then I hear her … faintly.
“Mia!” I call again, my heart pounding.
“Jordan.”
Without a second thought, I rear back and slam my foot against the lock. It gives in one kick.
I tear into the room, and I see mess everywhere. Food wrappers, containers … just trash, everywhere.
I hear her groan. Bathroom.
She’s on the floor. My stomach bottoms out.
My eyes take in everything in less than a second. Dried blood on her forehead matted into her hair. What looks like chocolate, smeared on her face.
Then the smell hits and that’s when I see the vomit in the sink … and the smashed mirror above it.
I drop to my knees beside her. “Mia. It’s me, I’m here. Jesus, baby, what happened?” I take hold of her hand. Her knuckles are torn up, dried with blood – the mirror.
Fuck. What have you done to yourself, baby? Tears sting my eyes.
“Jordan…” she groans, her eyes flicker open, looking out of focus.
“I’m here.” I press my hand to her cheek. “I’m gonna get you some help.”
“No…” she mumbles. “… be fine. Just give … min-ute…” Her eyes close.
“Mia, baby. Stay with me. Stay awake.” I gently pat her cheek.
“Tired…”
“Mia.” I pat her a little harder, but she’s out, and then I’m dialing 9-1-1, telling them I need an ambulance immediately.
***
“How’s she doing?”
I stand as Dad approaches. I’m in the waiting room where I’ve been for the past half-hour since we arrived and they left me here, rushing Mia straight off.
“They’re not telling me anything because apparently, I’m not family.” I throw my arms in the air, darting an angry look at the receptionist.
Dad puts his hands on my shoulders, bringing my attention to him. “Technically, we are family.” He gives me a firm look before turning and walking over to the reception desk.
The last thing I want to do is refer to Mia as my step-sister, but if it’ll get me any news on her, I’ll tell them whatever the fuck they need to hear.
I pace around as I watch my dad talk to the receptionist.
He gives a few nods. Says a few things. Another nod. Then he’s walking back toward me.
“What did she say?”
“Just that Mia is currently undergoing tests, and they’re extremely busy tonight so we could be waiting hours before we hear anything.”
“Jesus.” I press my fingers to the bridge of my nose, closing my eyes, trying to settle my rattling emotions. “I just need to see her. Know she’s okay.”
“She’s gonna be fine, son.” His hand squeezes my shoulder. “Looks like we’re gonna be here a while, so I’ll go get us some coffee.”
I nod, and lean back against the wall, my eyes still closed.
***
A few hours later…
“Mr. Matthews?”
My head jerks up. A woman, mid-thirties, hair tied in a bun and wearing a white coat, stands before me.
“I’m Dr. Packard. You’re Mia Monroe’s family? You came in with her?”
I get to my feet. “Yes. I’m her … her…”
“I’m her step-father,” Dad cuts in, standing beside me. “How is she doing?”
Dr. Packard turns her attention to Dad. I give him a grateful look.
“Mia suffered a small contusion to the head from her fall, nothing too serious, but what was of concern to me after initially examining Mia was that she was showing signs of severe dehydration, and her blood pressure was dangerously low—”
“Severe dehydration?” I say, confused. “What would cause her to be severely dehydrated?” I’m no doctor, but I know severe dehydration isn’t something you just get.
She gives me an uncomfortable glance. Then turns to Dad. “Mr. Matthews…”
“Jim, please.”
“Jim, has Mia ever had any issues in the past? Any problems with food … of any kind?”
“What do you mean – problems with food?” I ask.
Her eyes dart to me again. “You are Mia’s…?”
“Step-brother.” I nearly choke on the words because it couldn’t be farther from the truth. “Jordan. I’m Jordan.”
She clears her throat, turning to me. “Jordan, after examining your step-sister, a few things I discovered brought up a concern.”
“What concern?” My heart leaps out of my chest and starts to sprint down the hall.
“I’m not at liberty to discuss in length, not before speaking to Mia.”
“You asked us for a reason? What is that? You think Mia has a problem with food, so let’s talk about it—” I’m being a dick, I know, but something about this is bothering the fuck out of me. “—what kind of problem? Allergies? A food intolerance? An eating disord—” The words are out of my mouth before I even realize what I’m saying.
And then I realize.
And my eyes close under the wrecking ball of that realization. The way I found her in that motel room stilling my mind into a freeze frame of events. The excessive amount of empty food wrappers. The way there was chocolate smeared on her face as if she’d been gorging on it.
And she’d been throwing up.
She’d been throwing up.
Excessive eating. Throwing up.
Think Jordan. Think…
Bulimia.
Fuck, no.
I open my eyes. “You think Mia is bulimic.”
Dr. Packard pushes her hands in her pockets, releasing a slow breath. “There are many signs pointing to that possibility, yes, but like I said, I can’t be sure of anything until I’ve spoken to Mia.”
And my heart leaves the building.
“So talk to her – now.” I gesture down the hall. “I’ll come with you.”
She shakes her head. “That’s not possible at the moment as Mia is sedated, and I—”
“Sedated?” I frown. “Why?”
“Jordan, when Mia came around, she became quite upset. And through the stress of the situation, some other issues arose.” She stops talking as someone passes by.
“What other issues?” I press, wrapping my arms around my chest, trying to hold it together because I’m two seconds away from sprinting down this hall and searching every fucking room until I find her.
Dr. Packard draws her hands together in front of her. “Mia became extremely upset during examination, and due to the stress she was already under, and the dehydration combined, she suffered a seizure.”
“A seizure. Jesus fuckin’ Christ.” I close my eyes on a painful breath, my hands covering my face.
I feel my dad’s hand go to my back for support.
“Once we had the seizure under control, I felt it best to sedate Mia. Allow her body time to rest, and give us time to get her rehydrated intravenously as Mia was continually rejecting our efforts to help her while awake.”
Rejecting their help? She didn’t want to get better?
Her phone goes off in her pocket. “Excuse me.” She pulls out the phone, looking at. “I’m sorry, but I have to go.” She begins backing away.
“When Mia’s awake—”
“I’ll come and tell you right away.” Then she’s gone.
I slump down in the nearest chair. Head in my hands.
Dad sits next to me. “She’ll be okay, son. We’ll help her. Whatever she needs.”
I lift my head a little, and look at him. “But what if she doesn’t want my help?”
He gives me a sad smile. “We’ll figure it out. Don’t worry.”
***
Dad and I spend the night here in the hospital waiting room. We hear nothing more, no matter how many times I check with the receptionist, the answer is always the same – no change yet – Mia is still sleeping.
So I spend most of my time running everything over and over in my mind. Trying to figure out how I missed it. Were there any signs?
But I come up dry.
In the end, I’m still no clearer on it all, so I give into sleep, stretching out across three seats, letting Dad have the bench. I close my eyes, and I’m out.
When I open them again, daylight is pouring in through the large windows, and a glance at the clock tells me it’s seven-thirty.
Dad is already awake, watching the news on the TV up on the wall, drinking more of that shit vending-machine coffee.
“How long you been awake?” I ask, sitting. I stretch my back out, and every bone in my body cracks.
“Not long.”
“Any news?”
“No. I got you a coffee. Might be a bit cold now.” He hands it to me.
“It’ll do. Thanks.” I take two large gulps of the luke warm coffee and put it on the table.
“I spoke to Paula, she’s on her way to the hotel now, she’ll see to Dozer.”
Thankfully the Perry’s left the other day, so there’s only Dozer that needs taking care of.
I get up to stretch my legs. “Thanks.”
The main doors whoosh open, throwing a cold blast of air through the room. It actually helps wake me up.
I see coming in through the doors, a guy about my age. I notice him because he’s clearly money. Walks with that air of arrogance that only pricks with money do. He strides over to the reception desk.
“I’m just gonna go take a piss,” I tell Dad.
I’m walking past the reception desk, heading for the bathroom, when I hear that money guy talking with the receptionist.
“… name is Forbes Chandler. I received a call last night telling me that my girlfriend Mia Monroe had been brought it. I want to know how she is, and when I can see her.”
Blood rushes straight to my head. I stop and turn back, slowly.
“Yes, of course,” the receptionist smiles. “Just let me check.”
She’s starts typing. Clicking on the keyboard.
He checks his watch.
That’s him. This blond, prissy ass motherfucker, is the one who hurt Mia.
Why is he here? Who called him? Did Mia ask for him – did she ask them to call him?
Pain lances through me, quickly morphing to rage and despair and frustration.
Forbes turns his head in my direction. He sees me staring.
My fists tighten at my sides.
He gives me an odd look, then looks away, but he knows I’m still staring at him, so he looks back.
“Can I help you?” he asks with a smug look on his fuck ugly face.
I take a step toward him. “You’re Forbes?”
“Yeah. I am. Who’s ask—?”
He never finishes that sentence.
Because I punch him in the face. Hard.
He goes down from that one hit. Pussy. But I’m not stopping there. I’m on him, on the ground, punching him repeatedly over and over, and I can’t fucking stop.
Because all I can see is Mia’s black eye.
Him trying to rape her.
Her forcing herself to be sick. Passed out on that bathroom floor.
Me loving her. Wanting her.
Just pain. Fucking pain.
It’s endless, relentless. And I just keep plowing my fist into his face, trying to rid myself of it.
I don’t know if I’d have ever stopped, or if I’d have kept going until I killed him, but I don’t get the chance to find out because I’m pulled off him by Dad and the hospital security staff.
It takes three of them to get me off him. That’s how far gone I am.
“What the fuck!” he splutters through the blood in his mouth. “Are you insane? You’ve broken my nose!”
“That’s the least of your worries,” I growl. “You go near Mia ever again, and I’ll fuckin’ kill you!”
He stills. Just a moment. Hands covering his bleeding nose, his eyes meet mine. Something in them moves. I don’t know what it is, but I sure as hell don’t like it.
Then his hand drops. And he smirks. “Mia’s suckered you in good and proper.” He lets out a clipped, bloody laugh. “She’s good at that … playing the victim. And I’ll take it from the look on your face that you’ve been fucking her. Sorry to tell you this, but you’re not the first, won’t be the last.”
“You’re a fuckin’ liar!” I launch myself at him again, but I’m still being held by Dad and the burly guards, so I get nowhere.
“Let. Me. Fucking. Go!” I yell, trying to fight them off me.
“Calm the hell down!” Dad hisses in my ear. “Keep going like this, and they’ll call the cops if they haven’t already. Then they’ll throw your ass in jail, and you won’t be able to help Mia from there.”
The instant his words hit, hearing her name in that context, I start to slow down. “Okay.” I’m breathing hard. “Okay … you can let me go. I won’t hit him again.” I pin him with my eyes. “Not yet, anyway.”
“Jordan,” Dad scolds.
“What in the world is going on here?” I turn my head to see Dr. Packard walking toward us. Her eyes flick to Forbes, then back to me. She does not look happy.
“Dr. Packard, this man just attacked this gentleman here for no good reason.” This comes from the receptionist, who is still looking a little shocked by the whole thing.
“No good reason my ass!” I yell. “This motherfucker is the reason Mia is in here!”
“I haven’t seen Mia in two weeks—”
“Yeah, and why is that?” I take a step toward him. Dad’s arm comes in front of me, stopping me.
“Jordan,” Dr. Packard says. “You assaulted this gentleman?”
I scoff at the term. “Yeah, and I’d do it again – with pleasure.”
She turns to Forbes. “Mr.…?”
“Chandler.” Blood is still running down his ugly face and onto his pristine hundred dollar shirt.
“Mr. Chandler, I’ll get a nurse to clean you up. Do you want us to call the police to report this attack?”
His eyes drift to me.
“Do it.” I step forward, pushing against Dad’s arm that’s still pinned across my chest. “I’ll happily do a stretch. And while I’m with the cops, I’ll tell them exactly what you did to Mia.”
His eyes flash with fear.
Yeah, I know what you did, motherfucker.
“No.” He clears his throat, wiping his mouth on his sleeve. “I don’t want to press charges. I don’t need the hassle. Just keep that psycho away from me.”
“Nurse Callaghan, can you tend to Mr. Chandler, please,” Dr. Packard calls to a nurse.
“Of course.” The nurse comes over and leads him off down the hall.
I keep my eyes pinned to his back the whole way.
Dr. Packard stands in front of me, blocking my view. “I don’t know what that was about,” she says in a lowered voice. “But if you ever behave that way in my hospital again, I’ll call the cops myself, and you’ll never get through the door again. Do you understand?”
I exhale. “Yeah, I understand.”
“Good. Because Mia is awake, and she’s asking to see you.”
My head snaps up.
“She is?”
“Yes, so you best come with me now.” She starts to walk away.
I look at Dad.
“I’ll wait out here,” he says.
I mouth thanks to him. He gives me an encouraging smile.
I catch up to Dr. Packard. “How is she doing?”
She looks across at me. “Better. She’s been talking.”
I shove my hands in my pockets. “That’s good.”
“Yes, it is. Funny thing though, when I said to Mia that her step-brother was waiting to see her, she told me she doesn’t have a step-brother. That she doesn’t have any family actually.” She slides a look at me.
I smile sheepishly. “It’s complicated.” I shrug.
“Life always is.” She stops near a door. “Mia’s in here. Now, Jordan, I’ve spoken at length with Mia regarding the concerns I have about her problem, and I feel it’s best if you don’t mention anything.”
“You mean don’t tell her I know about the bulimia.”
“Exactly. Let her tell you – I’m sure she will. She’s very aware of her problem, but she’s also had a massive shock to bring about this realization. It’s an upsetting subject for her. I don’t want her upset any more than she already has been.”
I nod. “I hear you, doc. I’ll do whatever it takes to help her.”
She smiles. “Yes, I can see that.”
I turn to the door.
“Jordan.”
I look over my shoulder at her.
“You might want to clean the blood off your hands before you go in.”
I glance down at my hands. I’ve got that fuckers blood all over them. “Shit, yeah.”
She pulls a handkerchief from her pocket, then walks over to the water dispenser a little farther down the hall. Pressing the tap, she wets the handkerchief underneath, then brings back to me.
“Thanks.” Taking it, I scrub the blood from my knuckles, then offer it back to her.
“I’m good.” She holds her hand up, smiling. “Keep it.”
I let out a small laugh. “Thanks.” I shove the handkerchief into my pocket. Then taking a deep breath, I push the door to Mia’s room open.