Page 30 of Fractured

Flashes of bright color took over my sight for the briefest moment, but before I could determine the exact colors, they were gone. But I was left dizzy and confused. Eli wasn’t the first child my mother had tried to hurt.

What were those colors, and why were they gone now?

“Lilith, honey, are you okay?” Thea sniffed as she wiped the snot from her nose.

“Yeah, I’m…I’m fine.” I wasn’t. That was just what I was supposed to say. She accepted it and stepped back.

“There’s no rehearsals today. Go on home, and Scott will be in touch to give everyone an update.”

I nodded stiffly and fled out the door. The sunshine was instantly hot on my face as I ran back to my car. How did they all stay inside that box of sadness? It was so thick, I could barely breathe, and they were in there willingly.

Once my case was on the back floorboard and I turned the car on, I sat there. What to do? I wanted to call Harper, but I knew from our texts she was slammed over the next few days. I wanted to see Atticus or Ambrose, but that couldn’t happen either, not if I wanted to keep them. There was Kenzo, but I didn’t want to take a chance of running into Brett and him telling Harper something was wrong.

I’d see if Saint was working.

Even if I only exchanged small talk with him, it would make me feel better. I hoped, anyway.

By the time I pulled into the parking lot of the supermarket, the tears on my face had dried and I was left feeling numb and vacant, like I was a participant inside my own head but somehow, I’d been locked out and was only able to view through the windows of my eyes.

Saint walked right in front of my windshield and glanced over with a nod, before backpedaling. He came right up to my driver’s side window, and I reluctantly rolled it down. My bright idea didn’t seem so bright now. I had just wanted to pretend everything was fine, but I didn’t have the energy. What I really needed was to go home and take a nice long nap.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” He crouched down, resting his forearms on my door. His voice was quiet but steady, and I rolled my head back on my headrest to face him. “Damn, that bad, huh?”

“It’s been a rough day.” Even to me, my voice sounded hollow.

“So you decided to come to the supermarket?” His brows furrowed as he tried to make sense of my presence there.

I wanted to see you…

“I’m on my way home and needed to grab a few things. This was a bad idea. I think I’ll just pick them up later.” I glanced down at my lap, wondering if I was going to be able to drive home.

“What did you need?” He reached in and laid his hand on my shoulder, the pressure bringing a little of myself back into my body.

“Nothing, I—”

“What do you need.” This time, his tone was low and demanding.

And I had to find it in me to make something up, because I needed nothing. “Food. And maybe a bottle of wine.”

“Stay here.” He tapped my door twice and stood up.

“Wait.” I quickly pulled out my card and handed it to him.

Brushing my hand away, he said, “I have it.”

“Please. It doesn’t feel right for you to buy me anything when you don’t even know me.”

“Fine,this time. I’ll be right back.” He walked with a swagger I hadn’t noticed the other evening. His stride was long and sure. Confident, with his head held high, like he knew exactly what the world had to offer and he’d take what was owed to him regardless.

I watched the doors the entire time he was in there, which couldn’t have been more than ten minutes. When he came striding out, he held one bag in each hand. The items were double bagged, so I had no idea what he thought I needed.

Instead of bringing the bags to my door, he tapped on my passenger side window. Unlocking the door, I was stunned as he climbed in and set the bags at his feet.

“Don’t give me that look. I had to take a rain check the other night, but I’m off today. I was just here to check something on the schedule. So I’m yours for the rest of the day, then I’ll take an Uber back to get my car.” He buckled his seatbelt and crossed his arms stubbornly. I’d have a hell of a fight on my hands if I tried to get him to leave.

“I’m not in the mood for sex right now, unfortunately,” I blurted out. I craved the company, but I couldn’t lead him on.

“I can see that from the dried tear tracks on your face. You seem like you could use a friend, and I’m not such a bastard that I’d sleep with youn then never talk to you again. So let’s say this is the first step in our friendship.” His golden brown eyes were so sincere as they traced over my face, that I let him stay.

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