Page 29 of Manic

How do I tell him about the years of running, about Tindra, about the constant fear that's become my companion?

Tor leans in, his bottle green eyes searching my face. "Why have you come back to Tallahassee after all these years, Meghan?" he asks, his voice a mix of curiosity and concern.

I pause, my heart hammering against my ribs.

The weight of my secrets feels almost crushing, and I struggle to find the right words.

My fingers fidget with the hem of my shirt as I try to gather my thoughts.

"I..." I start, then falter.

How do I condense years of fear, running, and motherhood into a simple explanation? "It's complicated, Tor."

He doesn't push, just waits patiently, his presence both comforting and unnerving.

I can feel the heat of his gaze on me, and it takes all my willpower not to fall back into old habits, to flirt and deflect.

"I needed a fresh start," I finally say, the words tumbling out. "But also... I needed to come home."

The admission feels raw, vulnerable.

Tor nods slowly, his expression thoughtful. "Home can be a loaded word," he says softly.

I let out a shaky breath. "Yeah, it can be."

My mind flashes to Tindra, to the life we've built, to the constant looking over my shoulder. "Tor, there's more. So much more."

He reaches out, his calloused hand covering mine.

The gesture is so unexpectedly gentle that I almost break right there. "I'm listening, Meghan. Whatever it is, you can tell me."

I look into his eyes, seeing the man he's become.

The boy I knew is still there, but there's a steadiness, a strength that wasn't there before.

It gives me courage.

"Tindra," I blurt out, the words hanging in the air between us. "She's amazing, Tor. Smart, funny, stubborn as hell." A small smile tugs at my lips despite the tension. "But she's also the reason I've stayed away for so long. I've been trying to keep her safe."

Tor's brow furrows. "Safe from what? Or who?"

I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what comes next. "From my father," I say, my voice barely above a whisper. "He's been... he's been threatening us."

Tor's hand tightens on mine, and I see a flash of that fierce protectiveness in his eyes. "Tell me everything," he says, his voice low and intense.

I need to unravel the tangled web of my past, hoping that I'm making the right choice by telling him everything, and praying he can forgive me.

CHAPTER FIVE

Tor

You could cut the tension between us with a knife.

Meghan sits beside me, her light sage green eyes brimming with unshed tears, her ashy blonde hair framing her face like a halo.

I can't help but drink in the sight of her, memorizing every curve and contour of her face, afraid she might disappear again if I blink.

I know she’s about to say something, but we need to talk, and I can’t wait any longer.

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