Page 15 of Timeless: Encore

I can’t help but pick up the pace until the sounds of us slapping together fill the room. I spread her pussy lips apart and thumb her hard clit. “Come, Fee. Come all over me.”

As if on command, Fiona clamps down on my shaft so hard my eyes roll back in my head. “Ohmyfuckinggod,” she wails through her release.

“I love you so fucking much,” I cry out when I explode a second later.

We stay entwined for a while. Her legs locked around the backs of my thighs. My hands running up and down her back.

“Thank you for putting up with me, Zaney.” Fiona’s blue eyes blink up at me. “I’m a lot.”

I kiss her forehead. “No. You’re perfect. It kills me when you cut yourself down.”

She sighs. “I wish I could be as perfect as you make me feel.”

I squeeze her tightly. We stay wrapped together for a long stretch. I’m still buried inside her. “I’ve brought this up before, but have you ever considered talking to someone?”

Fiona stiffens.

“Look, babe. I know you’re not into it.” I keep her pressed tightly against me. “I also know you don’t want to go back on the anti-anxiety meds. Truth be told, they scared the shit out of me, so I’m glad you decided to get them out of your system. The thing is, if you need some support—therapist, anti-depressants—there’s no stigma. There’s lots of ways to deal with insecurity. Anxiety.”

She wriggles free from my grasp. “I’m fucking fine. Just because I’m getting fat doesn’t mean I’m broken, Zane.” She reaches for her top and leggings and begins to get dressed.

“You know I didn’t mean that as a dig.” I watch her put her clothes on but make no move to put on mine.

“Ah, but you meant something.” She squints at me. “I’ll be fine. I’ll go keto and drop the weight.”

I’m so frustrated. She still doesn’t get it. And she’s not fine. I’m also not her father. I’m her husband. Lover. There’s a thin line between being there for her and telling her what to do. My mind drifts to Ty, randomly. How he denied. Denied. Denied. Then got addicted to coke.

Fuck. I wonder if that’s how it started for my dad. I’ve never asked him too much about his own demons.

Fee walks back to her pastries. Grabs the trash can. Before I can stop her, all of her hard work is tossed into the garbage.

I pull on my jeans. Walk to her and put my arms around her. “I love you. I’m sorry if I said the wrong thing. I just want to make you happy.”

“No,I’msorry. I overreacted.“ She breathes out heavily. “I’m just hormonal.”

I don’t want to hurt her, so I accept her explanation. Decide to let it go—for now.

I thought once Gus was back on track, Fee would bounce back to her old self.

Instead, it seems like her negative self-talk is ramping up.

I’m at a loss.

What happens if I can’t make things better?

Chapter five

FIONA

One Month Later

Latelastfall,adoctor prescribed Xanax for depression and anxiety.

The stress of Mia’s custody. My fear of losing Zane. My mother’s constant criticism. It all became too much.

I needed help. It wasn't the first time, but it had been a long time.

In the past, short stints on Xanax helped me get through particularly stressful times. Zane and I breaking up. My encounter with Corey at The Mission. Dad’s death. The custody battles after Mia was born.

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