Page 33 of Tell Me Something True

“I’m here,” she continued. “I’m not going anywhere. Whatever you need, I’m right here.”

It was too big of a temptation, those words coming from her. He was too far gone to worry about anything other than somehow getting through this.

Surviving it.

He was too weak to resist her.

Too selfish and afraid and desperate not to take advantage of her kindness.

Too alone not to accept her comfort.

Opening his eyes, still gasping for breath, he reached out his shaking hands and clutched hers. Held on tight.

Maybe too tight, but she didn’t wince. Didn’t complain.

She held on.

And she stayed.

She stayed there, right there, like she said she would, kneeling before him. He kept his eyes open and on hers. The combination of her hands in his, their gazes locked, steadying him.

His breaths started to slow. To deepen. And he realized he was copying the cadence of her breathing—long inhales through the nose, a pause, then a longer, slower exhale through the mouth. Another pause.

Repeat.

Repeat.

Repeat.

Bit by bit, the roaring in his ears dulled. Little by little, the tightness in his chest loosened. Centimeter by centimeter, his shoulders lowered.

“That’s it,” Tabitha murmured. “You’re doing great.”

He would have snorted at that, but he was afraid if he made a sound, it would come out a whimper. Still, it helped when she talked, even when she was spouting bullshit, her low, gentle tone giving him something else to concentrate on.

As if she knew that, she kept talking, praising him for the simple act of breathing, promising him he was going to get through this.

But mostly, she repeated the one thing he needed to hear most.

I’m here. I’m here. I’m here.

His breathing steadied.

The shaking eased into slight tremors.

Finally, the panic receded.

“Okay?” she asked.

He managed a nod but could no longer hold her gaze.

She squeezed his hands gently. “Good.”

And she started to stand.

The panic came back, hitting him like a freight train. Rearing forward, he gripped her hands tighter. Stopping her.

Hurting her.

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