Page 99 of The Edge of Never

I couldn’t remember a time when another person’s touch had brought me so much comfort. He would give me the peace I so desperately craved. I could fall apart next to him, and Thane would help me fix my broken parts back together.

It didn’t seem real that a person like him existed. Maybe I was far too used to being mistreated by others. I was waiting for the other shoe to drop. But it already had, in a way.

Thane wasn’t over his relationship with Jenna. I wasn’t expecting him to move beyond her at the drop of a hat. I had my own unresolved issues, anyway.

We were two broken people who had an expiry date on whatever this was between us. Maybe that made it easier for him to be with me right now. Besides, I wasn’t brave enough to ask him what we were doing. What would happen when I went home. If we said goodbye and that would be it. The very thought of having that conversation made my anxiety spike. And that wasn’t what I needed right then.

“I was planning on moving out before she tried to kill us,” I said in a quiet voice to distract myself from those thoughts. “I was eighteen, had just changed my name and wanted to do something with my life.”

Thane’s arms tightened around me.

“I stayed to take care of Olly and Dad. I didn’t move out for another six years and even then, I only moved across town, so I was still close by if they needed anything.”

I tucked a hand under his top to rest on the bare skin of his waist.

“It’s only been in the last two years since Olly moved to Manchester that I’ve felt like my life is my own if that makes sense. Only I don’t really know what I’m doing with it.”

“Can I be honest with ye, Kit?”

“Always.”

He let out a breath against my hair as he pressed his face to the top of my head.

“From what ye’ve told me, ye’ve spent yer life putting everyone else first and neglecting yerself along the way. Ye cannae keep that up indefinitely. I think ye need tae put yerself first and if what ye need is a rest, then take it. It doesnae matter what other people need if ye’re no okay.”

I didn’t stiffen at his words as they settled over me. He wasn’t wrong. And maybe that was just what I needed to hear.

The tension in my limbs melted away. I relaxed into his hold, rubbing my fingertips over his bare skin to soothe myself further.

“I feel like you just gave me permission to rest.”

He chuckled.

“Did ye need someone tae tell ye that ye can?”

“Maybe.”

“Then while ye’re here with me, ye’re gonnae take it easy.”

“But you still need—”

“Am fine, Kit. The only thing I need ye tae dae is tae drive if we have tae go oot. I dinnae want ye worrying aboot anything else.”

I shut my mouth. Thane could be stubborn when he wanted. And I had a feeling this wasn’t going to be an argument I would win. Rather than disturbing our peace, I closed my eyes and allowed myself to let it all go because right then, that was exactly what I needed.

Thirty Two

Thane

The look in Kit’s eyes when their phone started ringing on the dining table as we were finishing breakfast spoke volumes. I almost stopped them from answering it, but Kit had to make their own choices. Not sure they would appreciate me interfering.

“What do you want, Sienna?”

Kit’s voice was off, almost robotic in nature. My fingers clenched around my mug of coffee, but I said nothing.

Why the fuck is she calling Kit?

“What do you mean, you’re here?”

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