Page 78 of Descent

He shrugs and stuffs his hands in his pockets.

“It’s not a big deal. Just figured those stairs would be a bitch. Also, figured you wouldn’t want to be away from Skyla and stay at the dorm so… yeah.”

“Thank you, man. I appreciate it,” I say, as I make my way over to the edge of the bed, sitting down and leaning my crutches against the frame. Yeah, it’s an entire bed, headboard and all.

Skyla comes to lay beside me, and I raise my arm for her to come closer, only wincing for a moment when she brushes against my ribs. Asher lingers for a moment before he comes and lays on the other side of her, handing me the remote. I click on the first thing I see and relax into bed, my eyes slowly drifting closed.

Chapter Thirty One

Skyla

As soon as Liam falls asleep and Asher is immersed in the show, I pull my phone out of my pocket, sending a text to Maggie.

Me: Ready.

Her reply takes a moment before it comes through.

Maggie: Are you sure about this?

My eyes flick over to a sleeping Liam and a distracted Asher. Unfortunately, I just don’t have a choice.

Me: Yes.

Maggie: Okay. On my way.

Nodding to myself, I pocket my phone before turning to Asher.

“I’m going to head over to Maggie’s for a bit.”

He frowns, his eyes coming to Liam.

“He’ll want you here when he wakes up.”

I nod, forcing a small smile.

“I just need a little bit of…air, you know?”

Asher watches me carefully, hesitancy all over his face.

“Okay. Wesley picking you up?”

“Already on his way,” I lie, almost seamlessly.

He nods, leaning in and pressing his lips against mine. I can’t help but draw the kiss out for a few more seconds. Goodbyes are always so hard, especially hard when you don’t want to say it, but you know it’s the only way.

When I pull back, Asher looks at me with a little confusion before he smiles.

“Love you.”

Dagger meet heart. Swallowing back the building tears, I smile.

“I love you too.”

And I do. I mean it. I love him. I love them all. That’s why I have to go.

Climbing over Asher, I crawl out of bed before heading to the foyer. Casually looking over my shoulder I notice that Asher isn’t watching me, his attention back on the TV. Good.

I crack the closet door open, grabbing the backpack that I stashed there this morning before I slip out of the front door. It’s starting to rain but my jacket is inside the bag. So, I duck my head and make a run for it. Once I’m through the front gate, I see Maggie’s red car on the other side of the road.

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