Page 62 of Fallen Stars

Tymber takes a tentative step in my direction. “You were having a panic attack.” He runs a hand through his hair. “Your skin was… gray.” He takes another step and ducks to meet my bewildered gaze. “Sorry I hit you, but you weren’t breathing.”

I rub my cheek. “Thanks.”

He scratches his beard and nods. “Yeah. Sure.” His hand drifts to the back of his neck and massages the muscles. “Let’s call it a day.” His hand falls to his side. “Start fresh in the morning.”

Part of me wants to argue with him. Tell him I have made progress and it is foolish to quit while I am ahead.

But then the rational part of my mind steps into the foreground and agrees with Tymber. I need the break. I need rest before I tackle more on this case. A clear head and a good meal. Time with Oliver to decompress and smile.

I hate it, but my sensible side is right.

“Probably best,” I mutter.

Tymber rests a hand on my shoulder and gives a firm, quick squeeze. “We’ll figure this out.”

Lips screwed up and shifting from left to right, again and again, I nod. “I really hope so, man.”

“We will.” His hand falls away as he steps back. “But only if we’re at our best.”

He’s right. I know he is. But fuck, it’s hard to stop looking. Painful as it is to see all this fucked-up shit, all I want to do is find these assholes. All I want is to find these missing people and return them to their loved ones.

I park behind Oliver’s Camry, cut the engine, and stare at the window on the second floor of the garage for a beat. Breath by breath, I force out the darker thoughts from earlier. Tell myself it’s just my mind creating false worst-case scenarios.

“Ollie’s safe,” I whisper as my eyes close. “He’s here, out of harm’s way and within reach.”

On a deep inhale, I open my eyes, swallow, and exit the car. One foot in front of the other, I climb the stairs to his apartment above the garage and key the code into the lock. After one last cleansing breath, I reach for the handle and twist.

As I enter his space, a faint melody from an acoustic guitar floats through the air, washes over me, and blankets me in immeasurable comfort. With a few simple notes played on his guitar, my worry from earlier fades away.

Eyes glued to his back as he sits hunched over his guitar, I close the door quietly. I shuffle into the apartment, toe off my shoes, and pad across the room. Focus on him, his music, the lyrics he croons to himself. Close my eyes and let his raspy voice stitch every fissure in my soul back together.

The room goes quiet and my eyes pop open. Oliver sets his guitar aside, leans forward, and scribbles in a journal on the table.

“Hey,” I say as I round the couch.

Oliver jolts in his seat. “Oh, shit.” He clutches his chest. “Didn’t hear you come in.”

Sitting next to him on the couch, I eliminate every inch between us, frame his face with my hands, and press my lips to his. Kiss him as though it’s the first time and last all in one.

When his hands cup my cheeks, I deepen the kiss. Moan into his mouth and get lost in the feel of him. Let his warmth eviscerate the chill in my bones. Let the feel of his hands on my skin ground me to the earth, to the moment, to him.

All too soon, he breaks the kiss and rests his forehead on mine. His thumbs caress my cheeks as we breathe each other in.

“Everything okay?”

I press a chaste kiss to his lips. “Shitty day.”

He nods but doesn’t press for details.

“What was that song?” I ask, wanting to change the subject.

When he doesn’t answer, I peek at him through my lashes. His eyes are still closed, the corners slightly crinkled with uncertainty.

My hands fall away from his face as I kiss my way to his ear. “You don’t have to tell me. I was just curious.”

Oliver inhales a shaky breath, inches back, and holds my blues with his brilliant greens. A faint blush colors his cheeks as he rolls his lips between his teeth. He swallows and opens his mouth to speak but then closes it.

The corners of my mouth tip up into a faint smile at his sudden self-consciousness. If he’s this hesitant to tell me, it can only mean one thing.

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