CHAPTER 42: JACK

“New York? She's in fucking New York?” I yelled at Maggie and kicked the bar in the kitchen. “Why is she there?”

“Because she doesn't want to be here,” she replied simply, sipping a lemonade.

“Have a fucking point for your smart-ass board, Maggie,” I replied. “How are you so calm? She's in fucking New York!”

“I know where she is. She's at her Dad's, and she's safe. She needs to-”

“Don't you fuckin' dare tell me she needs to calm down! You told me that last night, and now she's not even here! If you'd just let me go after her-”

“You would have done something stupid, like pin her against a wall and force her to listen to you.” Maggie looked at me pointedly.

“Well,” I said uncomfortably. “It wouldn't be unrealistic to say I'd do that.”

“Thank you.”

“But that's not the point,” I protested. “The point is, she's in New York. I'm in fucking California. How am I supposed to tell her the truth?”

“Which is what?”

“You know, Maggie. Don't treat me like a fool.”

“Y'know what, Jack?” Her blue eyes