Page 50 of Stitches

I had no idea who he was, and if I did, I didn’t realize it. All the faces here seemed to bleed together for me.

My brain had become this muddled mess of crap since the facility. Painting was typically my escape, but I hadn’t done that either. I didn’t have my own space here in the house and didn’t want to encroach on any spare space the guys had, so my painting supplies remained boxed up in Church’s closet. All I had were my clothes, a couple of books, and my phone I didn’t use.

“He’s a nut job,” Bryce called out as Cady went to it on the couch. She narrowed her eyes at him for a moment.

“We’re all crazy here,” she said, waving his words off. “He wants to hang out with me tomorrow night.”

I quickly put the popcorn into a bowl and came back into the living room and sat on the couch. Bryce sat forward and eyed Cady.

“Don’t do it,” he said, his body tensed.

“Why not?”

“I told you why. The guy isn’t good. He’s an asshole.”

Cady waved him off and rolled her eyes. “That’s fine. I’m used to assholes.”

“No, he’s worse—”

“Listen, Bryce, is it? I don’t care about your opinion. I appreciate it, but I’m not interested. I need to maintain my crazy if I’m going to stay here, OK? So if I had to bend over and take one for the team, I’m willing, so lay off.”

Bryce said nothing as they stared one another down. Finally, he cleared his throat and sank back into the cushions.

“Fine.”

“Good.” Cady looked at me. “Hey, sis. How’s it going?”

I slowly chewed my popcorn, telling myself I’d find out who Adam Larson was because I didn’t want Cady to get hurt. I trusted Bryce, and if he said someone was bad news, I believed him. Cady had saved me more times than I could count. I wanted to return the favor.

“That good?” Cady grinned at me. “It’s weird seeing you without your entourage of basket cases. It feels good to breathe, doesn’t it?”

She had a point. As much as I loved and cared for the guys, they did overwhelm me a lot. I didn’t have my own space or time for myself now living here. It wasn’t like Church had given me a choice in the matter. He’d simply spoken, and I’d obeyed.

A tiny smile touched my lips that made Cady’s eyes light up. She liked it when I showed signs that I was inside this strange prison I dwelled in.

“Yeah, I get it. They’re hot as fire, but drive you nuts. I’m glad they let you out to breathe. I was beginning to think I’d have to say something.”

“It is annoying,” Bryce grumbled. “Sirena and I have been close since she arrived. It would be nice if they let me get closer.”

Cady raised her eyebrows high as I darted a quick look to see Bryce’s cheeks flushed.

“Not like that,” he said quickly.

“You were dating her before the guys,” Cady said, grinning widely at him. “What happened?”

“It just…didn’t work out.” Bryce gave me a sad look that made me feel confused. As far as I’d known, we’d been just friends. He’d help keep me safe when I first arrived here.

“You know,” Cady started. “You’re probably a better option for her. These watchers, while I think are cool enough to chum around with, are dangerous. I worry about her.” Her voice caught and she looked to her hands. “I’ve spent my life trying to keep her safe. It just feels like this isn’t keeping her safe.”

She cast me a look, her sadness prominent on her face. “I’m sorry, Rina. I love you. I just worry. I want you to be happy though, so, you know.” She shrugged helplessly.

I looked back down at my hands, my heart in my throat. The truth was, I knew I wasn’t safe either. It scared me to think about the things I’d already endured and what could happen again to me. While I didn’t want it to rule my life, I knew that it could at the drop of a hat if I didn’t keep myself in check. The last thing I wanted to do was go back to the med facility. Knowing what I knew, what I’d experienced, terrified me. It made me want to find a way out of this place. I knew if I didn’t have the watchers, I’d have already tried to escape. I wasn’t sure where I’d go, but I’d have gone somewhere no one would find me.

“Let’s not talk about this,” Cady said. “She doesn’t like it. What movie are we watching?”

I felt Bryce’s gaze on me as I continued to look down at my hands.

Finally, he spoke. “I was thinkingLord of the Rings. She loves that trilogy.”

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