Chapter Twenty-One:

…AMELIA'S POV…

Sleep never happened for me. I laid between Crystal and Cassie, who had fallen asleep while silently comforting me. I stared at the ceiling, trying to process what had happened…what it all meant. And what could possibly happen next. I glanced at the clock, 6:00am, I huffed and carefully rolled out of bed. I couldn't lay there anymore. I couldn't handle this. I made my way downstairs, I could smell coffee. Charlie was sitting at the kitchen table reading the paper as I grabbed a cup of coffee. I could feel his eyes on me until I sat down. "Look, I know I am bad at this stuff, but if you want to talk" he began and I made a face at him. He rolled his eyes, "Okay, not talking, while I have some stuff to say" he said bluntly and put the paper down. I felt my eyebrows scrunch together in confusion. Oh great. Can't wait to hear this. "It looks like you have a lot of choices to make, Ames" he began, and I instantly dropped my head to the table and groaned. "Don't start with that, listen" he said and touched my head carefully, prompting me to lift it. I did and rested my chin on my hands, staring at him carefully. "It's not surprising you have so many nice young men interested in you, you heart breaker" he said awkwardly and I rolled my eyes. "Dad" I whined. He chuckled, "okay, okay, in all seriousness, Ames you have to do what's best for you, and some people may get hurt, but that's…that's just how it will be" he said seriously. I sighed, "I don't know what to think, let alone what to do…I wasn't expecting Chris to come back…ever" I said honestly. Though I had hoped for it…god I hoped for it. My heart squeezed as I remembered nights crying all alone in my bed after Chris had left me. Crying and clinging to that stupid note. I was hurt and angry with him. And now what? What was I suppose to do? Forgive him and move on with him? I mean it was Chris. It was Chris and I….Amelia and Chris. The couple everyone wanted to be, the couple everyone thought would make it. I mean you've learned some things since he left…like the fact that you have a SOULMATE. Embry. God. How could I even think about leaving Embry? The thought made me sick to my stomach and I glared at my coffee. Charlie was staring at me intensely. I could tell he had more to say on the matter but was hesitating. "Just say what you are thinking, Dad, it's fine" I said irritably. Charlie sighed, "Well kiddo, here's the thing, Chris is Chris…and if he will make you happy, I understand, but I'll never forgive him for what he did to you" he reached over and squeezed my free hand. "So, you think I'll choose Chris?" I commented honestly. Charlie looked unsure, then said "I hope you'll choose what's best for you" he said carefully, and I squinted at him confused. I don't have time for these games…just tell me what you think is best. "and who do you think is best for me?" Charlie looked uncomfortable and he hesitantly said, "Embry." I blinked at him in surprise. I don't know why but I thought for sure he was going to say Chris. I mean everyone always chose Chris. Everyone always thought it would be Chris and Amelia forever. Until it wasn't. "But I could see how going back to Chris would be tempting and familiar" he said quietly a moment later. I studied him for a second before asking, "If mom wanted you back would you forgive her and take her back?" I watched his reaction, he hid it well, but I saw some sadness behind his eyes. "Honestly…I don't know…I think maybe…if she had come back shortly after, and as for forgiving her…well…I have, a long time ago" he finally answered with a half-smile. I opened my mouth to say something when I heard the stairs creek as someone made their way down them. Jason wondered into the kitchen, rubbing his eyes sleepily. He looked confused at me as he sat down in a chair at the table. "You're up early" he grumbled, then grabbed my coffee and took a sip out of it. "blah…" he said and made a face. "That is strong coffee" I rolled my eyes and took my cup back, "get your own" I grumbled back as I took a sip of coffee. Charlie looked between us awkwardly, unsure of what to say or do. He decided on picking the paper back to read. The stairs creaked once more as Bella stumbled into the kitchen. "Morning" she mumbled and lightly patted my head as she passed me by. I gave her a smile, as she nodded at Jason, "Morning J" she added as she sat down. He just grumbled and put his head onto the table. We sat in silence for a while, eventually Michael made his way into the crowded kitchen. He looked around the room confused, "Why are you guys up already? What the hell?" he grumbled and went over to the coffee pot to grab a cup of coffee. While he poured himself a cup, he studied me. Michael knew me so well, he knew I didn't get a wink of sleep. He knew I was freaking out and all he had to do was look at me. Sheesh…maybe I should run away with him. I thought to myself bitterly. "I'm going to head into the living room" Charlie announced awkwardly and made his way out of the silent kitchen. My phone buzzed off, interrupting the silence of room. A name I hadn't seen in a long time flashed across the screen. Christopher.

…

Chris and I sat quietly in the backyard of Charlie's house. He was sounded so relieved when I answered the phone and told him it was okay for him to come over. But I was beginning to regret it as we sat in silence on the back lawn. I was picking at the grass nervously, trying to keep up with the thoughts in my head. It was impossible to focus, I felt a hand run down my hair and I flinch, then looked up at Chris shocked at his sudden movement. "Sorry" he apologized softly and moved his hand away from me. I shrugged, not knowing what to say. Why should I have to say anything? I mean he was the one who wanted to talk…so talk…ALREADY. "I hate this" he said softly looking at the ground. "I hate that you flinch when I touch you, that I ruined things between us…it's all my fault". I just sat there soaking in his words, unsure of what to say. It was his fault, he left. "Why did you leave, Christopher?" I asked bluntly, impatiently. He shook his head, "I don't know Ames, it seemed like the right thing to do at the time", I gawked at him. I couldn't believe he just said that. The right thing…the right thing to do…. "What the hell, Chris?" I yelled angrily. He rolled his eyes, "let me finish, please" he commented irritably, and I huffed at him and crossed my arms over my chest. "Fucking finish then, BEFORE I stomp away" I grumbled. He chuckled suddenly smiling at my angry face. Just like old times. I couldn't help but give him a small smile, then shoved him when he chuckled again. "C'mon, spit it out" I said. Chris looked away from me then and stared up at the sky before letting out a long sigh. "I was going away to the army, Ames, I was terrified. Terrified I wasn't going to come back to you, it didn't seem right to put you through that" he hesitated, "I didn't want you at home worrying about me, I wanted you to live your life" he added quietly. I opened my mouth, ready to yell at him, and I had LOTS to say. "AND the PRESSURE!" he yelled dramatically, "I mean everyone was ready for us to get married. I was just out of high school, and you were still in high school…yet everyone had our life planned out for us" he shook his head, then added, "I wasn't ready for that". UGH. Stupid. Stupid. What a dumbass. "I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU!" I yelled and pushed myself of the ground to pace in front of him. "I mean honestly Chris, you left to protect me? From worrying about you?" I groaned and ran my hands through my hair, "Stupid. Stupid. I mean…C'mon! How lame is that?" I yelled waving my arms around dramatically. Chris stood up looking a little angry himself, "It was not stupid at the time, it felt right, I didn't want to put that on you…you deserve better!" he yelled back. I huffed and crossed my arms over my chest, standing in front of him. "CHRISTOPHER….UGH…you're so stupid sometimes…I worried about you no matter what, okay?" I yelled I felt my eyes begin to fill with tears, "Dating or not…I worried, it would have crushed me if you had died" I said and angrily wiped at tears in my eyes. Chris moved towards me, but I held my hands up and he froze, "I'm sorry, okay? It was dumb, I see that now" he said softly, and I nodded in response, then took a deep breath. "So dumb" I quietly agreed. I looked up at him then, his sad face studying mine. "I wasn't ready either, you know for marriage…and I wasn't rushing anything" I said honestly. Chris nodded and opened his mouth to say more, but I stopped him. "I felt the pressure too, I just didn't let it get to me, Chris" I said, and more tears flowed through my eyes. My heartbeat was racing as I stared at Chris numbly. I felt weak and exhausted. All I wanted in that moment was Chris. I wanted him to comfort me to make it better. To take away all the pain he had caused me. To fix it. "Oh Amelia" he muttered sadly and held open his arms to me. I threw myself at him and found myself wrapped tightly in his arms as he kissed my head. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I am so stupid…I'm sorry" he muttered into my hair as I cried on him. It felt so good. So right to be wrapped in his arms again. Yet something seemed off…I found myself comparing him to Embry. Mostly I just found myself missing Embry's embrace and wishing he was here telling me that everything will be okay. I stiffened Chris's arms as I felt him run his fingers through my hair, working through some of the snarls. I looked up at him then, his eyes locked onto mine for a moment before they wondered to my lips. I licked my lips in anticipation, as he leaned down towards me. My eyes bounced between his lips and his eyes until finally they closed, and I felt his warm lips on mine. Relief. That was what I felt when he kissed me. Relief. Familiarity. Comfort. Finally. I wrapped my arms tightly around him, trying to bring him closer to me. I pressed myself hard against him and he let out a groan. "Ames" he whispered against our quick moving lips. "God, I missed you" he mumbled into the long kiss. I pressed myself closer to him, trying to fill some sort of void. I realized then that I could never fill it with Chris. Maybe at some point in time Chris was enough for me, but now…Embry. I pulled away from Chris quickly and blinked up at him as I gathered my thoughts. I've had the best…there is no going back now. "Amelia?" Chris asked worriedly and, in that moment, I realized I was the one who was going to break his heart this time. And Jason's apparently. After a moment of me not responding, Chris slowly nodded, "The tall guy from last night, huh?" he asked suddenly, "I knew there was something going on there" he added. I sighed and gave him small smile, "A lot of something, actually" I answered. Chris raised an eyebrow at me, "Wow, that's…it's great, Ames, really" he said softly, but there was a sadness behind his eyes. He touched my cheek then, studying me. "So, I take it that means you wouldn't consider coming back to Arizona with me?" he asked casually and hopefully. I didn't even have to think about it. I knew the answer. I was staying here with Bella. Hell…I was staying here with Embry because that was where I wanted to be. But now I had to break that news to Chris. Chris who had been my one and only for so long. Chris the guy I hoped would come back to me and finally did. Now here I was turning him away. "Chris" I began softly, my voice felt thick as I felt my eyes water. "Hey none of that now…I get it Ames, I do" Chris muttered softly and wiped the tears that fell away. "It's okay, Amelia, I promise" he said his own voice becoming thick as he let a few tears fall. "I love you no matter what, I want you to be happy", he added quietly, barely getting the words out. My heart squeezed tightly in my chest. So tight that it hurt. "Oh Chris, I'll always love you" I answered my voice breaking as more tears flowed from me. "But I have to stay here, and things with Embry…well it's Embry and I love him too" I said honestly. Chris nodded and wiped more tears from my face. "It's okay, Ames" he said once more then cupped my face in his hands. He gave me a few small kisses and I kissed him back as I cried. This was so hard. Why. This is so hard. But…it was also…freeing.

…EMBRY'S POV…..

I knew it was wrong. I mean I didn't intend on 'spying' on them. I was just going to show up and find Amelia to see how she was doing. Instead, I found her in the backyard with him. They were fighting. And then they were kissing. Kissing. Amelia was wrapped up tightly in his arms and she was moaning into the kiss. God. The noises she made. Normally I found them pleasing to hear but listening to them now made me sick as I watched her with him. I need to get out of here fast. I could feel the heat taking over my body as my heart raced. I phased. I ran. Run. Run. Run.

….AMELIA'S POV…

Michael and I took Chris the airport after things calmed down. Oh and of course Emmett and Edward went with us. Cause you know we can't go anywhere without a babysitter. I demanded he go see his mother, Luann, since she hasn't seen him in so long. He needed to spend some time with her. I had explained to him that she had struggled having him gone, but that she and I didn't stay in touch much after I had moved. We all sat around Charlie's small living room, flipping through channels on the TV mindlessly. I found myself consistently checking my phone to see if Embry had called me. Nothing. He had said he was going to come over, hadn't he? He's probably trying to give you space. I had a bad feeling in my gut. I couldn't explain it, but I knew if I saw Embry, it would all be okay. Also, I was actively avoiding Jason, who kept staring at me across the room. He had been acting strange ever since I sent Chris away. Probably because he thought he stood a chance now…ugh. I would have to tell him eventually that the feelings he had for me were not mutual. Although I was hoping he was starting to figure that out. I checked my phone. Still no Embry. I couldn't handle sitting anymore, I got up suddenly and made my way to the kitchen. I poked around in there looking for food, even though I wasn't hungry. I just needed to do something. I couldn't sit anymore. "Amelia?" Jason's deep voice came from behind me as I was making another pot of coffee. Ahh…shit. I slowly turned around and tried not look like a deer caught in head lights. "Hey J" I said slowly, fighting my small panic. "I was hoping we could talk about us" he said hopefully as he approached me with a small smile. I sighed and looked over at the coffee pot as it slowly dripped out my life support. "More coffee, really, Ames?" he said sarcastically, and I glared at him, "It's been a long day" I commented dryly. He ignored me, "So you sent Chris away…what does that mean?" I huffed and glared at the slow-moving coffeepot. "It means that Chris needed to see his mother" I answered shortly. Jason huffed, "Yeah okay, Ames, what does that mean for us?" Ugh. Okay. We're doing this. I put my face in my hands, before rapidly moving to run them through my hair, "Us? Jason there is no us" I answered softly, trying not sound annoyed. He looked a little hurt but covered it well. "C'mon Ames, there was somewhat of an us, I just finally admitted to myself". I stomped my feet in defiance, and he raised his eyebrow at me, as if saying 'really, Ames?'. "We said no strings…and I meant it, J!" I yelled annoyed that we even had to have this conversation. "I know….but I can't help that I develop feelings for you, just tell me, Ames, that you feel nothing for me, I'll go away" he said simply, confidently. I glared up at him, I wanted to wipe the confidence off his face. But glare soften when I stared up into his eyes, and there it was. That thing he was talking about. Feelings. I mean I wasn't in love with Jason, but there was attraction there. There was a pull…we had chemistry. Hot, beautiful chemistry. My gaze softens and my eyes wondered to Jason's lips, he noticed this and moved closer to me, pressing himself against me, as I backed into the kitchen counter. "Ames…tell me what you feel" he muttered as he leaned down towards me. I moved up to meet his lips almost out of habit. I brushed my lips softly against his and he returned the kiss with more force, moving to tangle his hand in the back of my hair. But I stopped him. Truth was the kiss felt all wrong to me. It felt emotionless. The chemistry between us broken. "J….Jason…no, I'm sorry" I said sadly and pushed me away. He took a step back looking down and biting his lip. He nodded slowly for a moment, and we stood in silence. I didn't know what to say. "So, it's Embry, huh?" he asked suddenly bitterly. I nodded, "Yeah it's…." I took breath, "It's Embry" I said with a half-smile. He nodded again looking sad and maybe a little angry…it seemed like he was getting angry. I bit my lip nervously; I went to say more but he stopped me. he raised his hands up, "just tell me this…if you hadn't had moved here, if you hadn't had met him…do you think there is chance we would have ended up together?" he asked honestly. I didn't want to tell him my gut answer…it would hurt him too much. No, Jason. I was still so hung up on Chris…you were just a nice distraction. "Honestly, J, I don't know, I mean we seemed like we were heading in that direction…" I said quietly with a half shrug. He nodded, "Chris…he would have come back, and you would have chosen him" he said bitterly, filling in my blanks. I stared down at the floor; my heart hurt. I knew I was hurting him, which was the last thing I wanted to do. "Jason…I…" and I was crying again. That was all I seemed to do lately. UGH. So frustrating. I took a deep breath, "Jason, I love you, I do…and you gave me everything I needed when Chris left" I said as tears flowed down my cheeks. Jason stared at me bitterly as I continued my speech, "and I appreciate everything you gave me…but I don't know if we could have ever been more" I finished honestly. Jason let out a long breath, it fanned the hair away from my face as he moved closer to me. he gently gripped my chin and lifted my head so I would have to look at him. He looked tortured, like he was hurt and angry, but didn't know what to do. "It's okay, Ames, I asked the question, and you answered honestly" he said calmly then wiped the tears my face. "I love you too, Ames, maybe it's for the best that we just stay friends though?" he suggested barely getting the words out. I pulled away from his grasp, just so I could wrap my arms around his middle and hug him tightly. "I am so sorry, J, really" I said and hugged him tightly. I felt him wrap his arms around me and kiss the top of my head. "It's okay, Ames, really" he said softly. But he was wrong. Nothing was okay. I was so tired, it had been such an emotional day. And where the hell was Embry?

….AMELIA'S POV…

I was officially worried. It was after four and I still hadn't heard from Embry. I called him four times and nothing. I was going to go for time five, but I had rules about chasing guys like this. And I had already broken enough of those rules by texting and calling him so much. I mean yesterday was hard for him too…maybe he needed space from you. My stomach hurt at that thought, Embry never needed space from me. He had said so, so many times. I must have really screwed up. "You're freaking out, I can tell" Michael said as he watched me pour another cup of coffee with a raise eyebrow. I glared at him, "I am not" I said and took a sip of coffee, it warmed my body instantly. "I think you've had enough coffee; you're buzzing all over the place with anxiety." He said eyeing me suspiciously. "Where's Embry been all day?" he asked the question that had been killing me for hours. I shrugged, trying to show my panic. Michael raised both his eyebrows at me and crossed his arms over his chest. "Nope. Not buying that, what's going on Ames?" he asked firmly. I huffed and put my coffee down, "nothing, Michael, let it go" I begged angrily. He just stared at me, and I knew that I was going to tell him everything. I huffed, "Okay, fine…I don't know why he isn't here or isn't calling me…and maybe I am a little freaked" the words rushed out my mouth frustratedly. "Think we scared him off?" he asked with a half-smile, and I knew he was only half kidding. "probably" I grumbled. I mean what kind of paw-print was I? All my ex's came back and I didn't tell them to fuck off. "I think it was mostly Chris and maybe Jason…a little a bit" Michael teased, and I groaned and placed my face in my hands. "On a serious note, that guy loves you…like loves you loves, and I doubt he'd back down that quickly" Michael announced, and I kept my face hidden from him. Oh, he loves me alright…soulmates…literally soulmates. When I didn't say anything, Michael added, "unless he had a reason to think you'd be happier with Chris" he said quietly, suggestively and he moved closer to me. I felt his hands tugging mine away from my face. "Would you, Ames?" he asked, and I blinked up at him confused. Would I what? Be happier with Chris? Fuck if I know. "Oh, shut it Michael, I sent Chris away for a reason" I said irritably. "And what reason would that be?" Michael probed, ignoring my attitude. "Because" I answered shortly and grabbed my coffee again before attempting to leave the kitchen Michael stopped me. "Because you love Embry as much as he loves you" he said calmly, and I froze in the doorway of the kitchen. Michael knows. He always knows. I turned slowly to look at him and nodded, "Yeah" I said softly. We just stood there in silence then and I let my own words soak in. I loved Embry. He was…well he was Embry and the feelings I had for him were indescribable. I couldn't imagine my life without him. "And now I think I screwed it all up" I admitted aloud as I felt my heart clench. Why hadn't Embry called me back? Why hadn't he showed up or text me? He was always checking in on me…what changed? "I screwed it up, Michael" I said the words rushing out of my mouth in a panic now. "Hey, hey, don't say that…let's go find him, I am sure he'll be happy to see you" Michael said calmly and approached me. He wrapped an arm around my shoulder and steered me to the stairs. "Go get your bag and we'll go". I wanted to so bad, but we couldn't just go to La Push…we need a goddamn babysitter. And then I would have to find some damn reason for why one of the Cullens has to drop us off at the broader and can't physically go to La Push. Ugh. What a mess. What a fucking mess. If Embry would just answer his damn phone…then I could explain. "Amelia, what is going on?" Michael asked as he watched my inner turmoil play out before him. "I…" I was about to explain when Leah burst through our front door looking super annoyed. Emily and Kim followed in behind her, "Leah….we should knock" Emily said nervously and Kim pipped up, "Nah, Amelia broke into my house one time…Oh hey Ames!" she said cheerfully and Leah glared at me, looking me up and down. "Hey Amelia" Emily said quietly, and she looked over at Michael who didn't look the least bit surprised people had just bust through the door. I mean he was pretty used to the craziness in my life. If only he knew how crazy it had gotten. "We need to talk" Leah said bluntly then grabbed my hand to drag me into the kitchen. Cassie and Crystal were watching from the living room. Crystal stood up abruptly to follow us into the kitchen, she glared at Leah, clearly annoyed. Cassie followed shyly behind her until all of us were standing in the kitchen. "Can we help you?" Crystal barked at Leah. Leah paid no attention to her and looked at me, "What the hell is going on?" she asked bluntly. I crossed my arms over my chest and glared up at her, "gee, Leah, I don't know, you're the one who just burst in here all determined…you tell me". She huffed then looked over at Cassie and Crystal. I realized then she probably couldn't say what she wanted too. "Is he okay?" I finally asked, Leah turned to me looking rather irritated, "What do you think?" she bit. "Hey now, let's just calm down and not bit each other's heads off" Emily said firmly as she leaned against a kitchen wall. Kim chuckled humorlessly as she sat down, "Yup. Sure, Em, telling them that is totally going to work" she said sarcastically. "Who the hell are you guys?" Crystal asked rudely, still glaring at Leah. Cassie face palmed herself, "Sorry guys, she meant to say, 'Hi my name is Crystal, what is your name?'" Cassie said sweetly and Crystal's face remind hard, "Nope I meant what I said" she commented bitterly. Emily shot me a look, begging me to help control the tension. I let out a long breath, then introduced everyone. At the end of introductions Crystal pointed at Leah, "What the hell is her problem?" she asked rudely. "Oh my god…Crystal…seriously?" Cassie yelled her annoyed. "What?" Crystal yelled back, "she flew in here like a bat outta hell and started yelling at Ames, I just want to know what the fuck is going on". I rolled my eyes, "that makes two of us" I commented dryly. "Okay, this is not how I envision meeting the infamous 'Crystal and Cassie'" Emily said suddenly, and we all looked at her, "I mean I've heard the stories and I was excited for this moment, now it's come and were fighting" she said eyeing us all up. I felt like I was being scolded by my mother. I pursed my lips. "Can you guys just give us a minute, please?" I said to Cassie and Crystal. Crystal's eyes widen at my words, and she crossed her arms from her chest. Her jaw clenched and I realized quickly that I had pissed her off. "Crys…" I said calmly. She rolled her eyes, "Fine, c'mon, Cas, let's give them some…time" She said frustratedly and they left the kitchen. Leah, Kim, Emily and I stared at each other quietly as they left the room. When the coast was clear we crowded around the table. "What is going on?" I asked hurriedly. I was feeling anxious. I hadn't heard from Embry and I knew something must be up for all the girls to show up here. "And I can't believe the guys let you come to Forks…alone" I added surprised. Emily blanched and Kim look down guilty. Oh they don't know you're here…shit. "What? How the hell did you y'all get away?" I whispered harshly. Leah let out a humorless chuckle, "Well the guys are a little busy calming Embry down after your little make out session with Chris" Leah said pointedly. What? How did Embry? He saw? Oh MY…. WAS HE SPYING ON ME? This is getting a little out of hand with the stalking. "What? Was he spying on me?" I whispered angrily at her. Emily interrupted before Leah could say more, "No he just came by here looking for you and he saw you guys…and yeah" she finished quickly and nervously. "He hasn't phased back to human since" Kim whispered lowly. Oh god. I am such an idiot. Poor Embry….ugh. What a mess. "So…where's the guy that was worth all this trouble?" Leah snapped and I glared at her. "Shut up, Leah, for the love of god just shut up" I said. she didn't get it. Leah took a breath, "Look I'm sorry, he's just really hurt, and I've seen it all in my head" she admitted quietly. I put my face in my hands, "I screwed up guys…I should have known…I mean I think I did know, but I should have told him last night already" I muttered into my hands. "Told him?" Kim asked, then Emily added, "Oh my god, are you going back with Chris?" she asked her voice full of shock and worry. I looked up quickly and shook my head, "What? NO! I sent him away" I explained quickly. OH GOD. Even they thought I would leave Embry for Chris. I am the worst Pawprint ever. I voiced my thoughts, "Paul was right, I am the worst pawprint ever" I said sadly and put my head back in my hands. "Oh no you're not, stop it" Emily said soothingly and moved around the table to pat my back and give me an awkward hug. We sat in silence as Emily calmed me down. "Wait…but why did you kiss him? I mean I saw it in Embry's mind" Leah clarified. I nodded, "Well yeah…but that was as we were saying goodbye, I also told him I loved Embry, maybe if Embry had stuck around long enough to hear that piece we wouldn't be in this trouble" I used her words against her. Although I didn't blame Embry for any of it. It was my fault. "What about the other guy, Jason?" Kim asked hesitantly. I shook my head, "taken care of, Jason and I are just friends…always will be" I said honestly. I pushed Emily's arms off my back then, "look I have to find Embry, and you guys should get back…I am sure they boys are frantic" I said worriedly. Emily rolled her eyes, "I left them a note, but we should all go back, that's where you're most likely to find him anyway". I nodded "let's go".