"Hello, uncle Pete."

"Yes, Hailey. What is it? Are you crying?" His voice immediately became concerned.

The tears I'd been holding back let loose and swam to the surface, wasting no time to stream down my face.

Using the heel of my palm, I wiped them away but more replaced the old, wiped ones. "W-when will you be back?"

I was still lodging in that hotel, though not the same room because the thought of staying in a room that Jared had shared a night with me was taunting and too painful.

I ...