Page 110 of From You to Me

I was lost.

Everything in me hurt.

Chafing its way up my heart.

Every part of me felt detached and desolate.

I was tired.

Tired and exhausted.

I wasn’t sure how much more tired I could take before I crumbled to nothingness.

A sudden ramble struck me out of my thoughts.

I sighed.

The ramble continued this time with a familiar voice calling out my name.

“Evy, I know you’re in there. Please open the door.”

Strawberry howled, peering at me with her brown eyes.

“Evy, I’m not leaving until you open up.” A twist jarred its way up my door handle, and my eyes widened as it opened.

Fuck. I forgot to lock the door.

His blues narrowed. “Are you fucking kidding me, Evelyn? You didn’t lock the door. What if it wasn’t me? Do you know how dangerous that is? Especially after what happened?” He shut the door with a thud, making sure to secure the lock.

“I don’t want you here. Please leave,” I whispered.

Strawberry whined as she slid in next to me on the couch, trying to get my attention.

His eyes darted to my hands. “Fuck, you need ice,” he cursed as he rushed to the kitchen and brought back a bag of frozen peas. I watched as he wrapped a soft towel over it and gently tried to pry my hands.

“I’m fine.” I sighed. “I can take care of it.”

“No,” he asserted, pressing it to my red knuckles.

“Thanks,” I muttered as I took it away from him.

Minutes of silence passed before he heaved out a heavy sigh, dropping to his knees in front of me. His hand approached my cheek.

I swatted it away. “Leave. I don’t want to see you. I want to be alone.”

But he didn’t listen. He never did.

Both his hands sneaked their way despite my protests and cupped my cheeks, bringing my gaze to his.

The look in his eyes was something I hadn’t seen in a long time. I wasn’t sure what it was.

His gaze burned deep down to my soul.

A mixture of pain laced with hurt and despair.

I sighed, once again. “What?”

His thumbs rubbed along the softness of my cheek. “I’m sorry,” he admitted, and the warmth of his voice spread straight to my heart.

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