Page 76 of Broken Skulls

“No. By your side.”

Chapter Thirty-Two

Jacob

Fuck. I don’t think I’ve ever slept so well. I stretch across my bed. My hand pats the empty spot beside me. I sit upright. Where did she go?

I hear a murmur coming from the vent in my room. I drop to the floor. Who is she talking to? She must be talking to herself again. That’s all she did when she was in my basement.

I’m about to stand when I catch her say my mother’s name. My heart begins to beat out of its chest. She’s not talking to herself. She’s talking to my mom.

“It’s a beautiful name. It’s my daughter’s name too,” she continues to say.

This is fucking proof my mother sent her to me.

“It makes me think you brought him to me.” She pauses and laughs lightly. “I know that sounds silly.”

I jump to my feet, needing to assure her that it all makes perfect sense. When I get to the hall, I realize she’s conversingwith my mother’s plants. My footsteps slow, and I peek around the corner.

She’s sitting in the middle of the room, hugging her legs close to her chest. The crystal that hangs in the window casts little rainbows beside her on the floor.

“If you wouldn’t have, I wouldn’t be here. I’d be there, on the other side … with you.” She pauses and rests her cheek on her knees. “I thought that’s where I wanted to be. I’m sure it’s amazing up there, but for the first time in all my life I feel like it’s amazing here on earth, too.”

I slide to my butt in the hallway, her words hitting me like a sledgehammer to the chest.

“Could you tell the big guy I’m sorry for …” She lets out a loud sob. “I know, I know,” she begins to whisper, “he’s already forgiven me.”

My heart aches for her as she continues to cry. I want to wrap my arms around her, but I don’t want to interrupt the conversation she’s having with my mother. She was the wisest woman I’ve ever known. I know she won’t steer her wrong.

When her sobs quiet, I sense a peace rush from the room. I risk another look, peeking around the corner.

She lifts her head slowly. “I don’t want to waste any more time,” she promises the plants.

No, not the plants.

Me.

“Iwon’twaste any more time,” she says, turning to face me.

Our eyes lock, and I know in my heart this is the woman I’ll kill or die for.

“You were talking to my mom,” I manage to choke out.

She tips her head to the side, chewing on her lip. “I was,” she finally admits.

“I love that you don’t lie to me.”

“That surprises you?”

“Not really.”

She chuckles, wiping her eyes. “Well, I love that you treat me like a real person.”

I begin to crawl to her, instantly hurt on her behalf. “Elizabeth.”

Her gaze falls from mine abruptly, and she holds her hand up to stop me from coming closer. “And I love that I can feel your hurt for me when I say things like that. You don’t just listen to me, you share my pain. You’ve even offered to carry it.”

“Why do I sense a but?” I ask, feeling like she’s about to end us. I hope she understands I’m never letting her go.

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