Page 29 of Promise Me

Linc

I don't think she’s eaten.

Linc

No screens, either.

The little dots appear again,and I grumble what I think is a quietfuck, but Sadie laughs.

“You get why I left now, don’t you?”

I set my phone down, ignoring the fact it just keeps beeping with notices of new messages.

“He’s just worried.”

“I’m still an adult, though.”

I nod. “Yeah. You are.”

The silence between us thickens. I’m about to head into my room when I hear what sounds like sniffling.

Like before, I freeze.

I’ve been exposed to all the versions of this woman, but the side of her that cries is the one I’m unfamiliar with.

I force the lump in my throat down and tread slowly to the living room.

She quickly swipes at her tears.

“Don’t tell Linc,” she says quietly.

“I won’t, but to be fully transparent, I need you to stop doing that.” I point at her, and she peers up at me.

“Stop what?”

“Crying. It makes me uncomfortable.”

Her eyes have taken on a bright gold tone now as she wipes another teardrop, never taking her gaze off me.

Then she laughs.

Full-on belly laughs.

I step back.

“Coming here was exactly what I needed, thank you.”

I look everywhere but at her. I’m not heartless or someone who doesn’t understand emotion but fuck all right now if I’m lost on what to say or do next.

“Okay” is all I come up with.

“I’m sleeping right here too. No arguing.”

I nod.

As I said, I know our history, but I’m not a dick.

“I’ll change my sheets, and you can sleep in my room. Give me five minutes.”

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