A Captive Situation (Kings of New York)

I could totally Gone Girl my way if I ever needed to. A whole buzz of victory went through me, growing the farther I got. After going through two towns, I pulled into a public library and used their computer to DM my cousin.

SawyerMatsenNottotallyoriginal1: This is your cousin. I’m hoping you check your messages?? I got your text, but I can’t reply on my phone. I need your help. I’ll wait to see if you respond before I send more information.noveldrama

I hit send, then switched to my email, typing one out right away to my mother.

Mom, I lost my phone. All is good!! I’m so sorry. I’m trying to get a hold of Graham to see if he can help or not. Can you message him and ask him to check his Instagram messages? He might need to check the other folder. Once I get connected with him and get a new phone, I’ll give you a call. Don’t panic. New York is amazing. I’m so glad I came here. Let Clara and Bess know that I’m safe. I just lost my phone. That’s all. Love You So Much—Sawyer

My mom was not normally glued to her email, but since I’d gone on the missing train, I had a feeling she would be this time.

An email hit my inbox almost immediately from her.

I clicked on it, holding my breath against what her reaction would be.

Sawyer Kathleen Matsen, you are in so much trouble You Lost Your Phone? We called your hotel. You’ve not been back to check out. They have all your things. You have never, not once, in your life lost your phone. What is going on in that city over there? You have never been late for a checkout either. Your aunts have already booked their flights. They’re flying to see your cousin. They were going to start canvassing the city with flyers with your picture on them. We Were Worried Sick! Beck has been so distraught.

I got hot at reading that. Hot in an angry way.

Beck and Jake. Both were on my shit list.

I yelped before frantically replying, not reading the rest of her email.

Do Not Tell Beck Anything!

Her reply was just as quick.

I didn’t, but Maude did. The three of us stonewalled him so he went to her. He’s been calling me ever since.

I growled, typing back, Just block him.

It was as easy as that. What was my mom doing? Yes, she was stonewalling him, but why hadn’t she already blocked him? We lived in a small town. I also got that. Beck was there. He ran a business there, and my mom was into the local town’s high society, which Beck was also into. But still. Fucking block him. Everyone would understand.

Ding!

I heard the notification and checked the other tab.

GrahamM.ArchitectGalligFirm: Sawyer! Is this really you? Your mother told me to check my messages here. Yes. I’m here. Where are you? You need a phone?

Nerves fluttered in my belly because how I maneuvered with him, knowing my aunts were on their way to him, would need to be handled with care. What should I say? I couldn’t believe I was involving him, but also, I couldn’t stay with Jake. He might’ve been lying about the whole thing. Maybe? I didn’t know anymore.

I just knew I couldn’t handle being locked in a room again.

My arms were like lead as I lifted them back to the desk, looking out the windows and spotting a cute little café across the road.

SawyerMatsenNottotallyoriginal1: I’m in a little town north of the city. Could you come and get me? I’ll be at Hen Café in Porter, but Graham, you can’t come in your car. You can’t tell our aunts anything. And you need to have your phone turned off. Trust me on all of this. Also, do you have a gun? If you do and if you’re comfortable with it, you might want to bring it with you.

My stomach was a whole twister inside as I clicked send. I closed my eyes, now waiting for whatever fireworks that was going to set off.

GrahamM.ArchitectGalligFirm: What The Fuck Is Going On????

GrahamM.ArchitectGalligFirm: a gun? Why the fuck would I need a gun? I barely know you. Are you insane? I’m honestly asking. Have you had a recent trip to a mental health hospital? I won’t judge you, but I need to know what to prepare myself for. My mother told me why you really came to New York. I’m so sorry about your ex-fiancé, but is this about him? Are you planning on doing something? Hurting yourself?

Indignant anger boiled up, but I fought against letting it out as I replied. I was exhaling deep breaths to keep from losing my shit, cousin or no cousin. A few people in the library kept giving me looks. I ignored them.

SawyerMatsenNottotallyoriginal1: No. It’s nothing like that. I’m just—look, I was outside your place and then . . . something happened. I’ll explain everything to you when you get here, but please just come. Don’t tell our aunts or your mother. This is serious. Just come and get me and I mean it, keep your phone turned off. Don’t come in your own vehicle. I hope I’m being too cautious, but I’m just not sure right now myself.

GrahamM.ArchitectGalligFirm: That’s an hour outside of the city. I’ll have Oliver take care of the aunts when they arrive. Give me a little bit to figure out some things on my end. If the café closes before I get there, there’s a statue in every town. Hang out by whatever statue Porter has.

Ooh. He was smart.

SawyerMatsenNottotallyoriginal1: I can do that. Thank You! I owe you.