Page 26 of Between the Lines

Despite her aversion to closing her eyes, one look at her made it abundantly clear—the adrenaline was worn off, and she was exhausted.

She took a shower, then dressed in a spare tee and boxers—something she’d done countless times when we were together.

It felt like old times, honestly.

So much so that when she asked if she could sleep in my bed—and if I could stay therewithher…I said yes.

I didn’t even have to think about it.

Chapter Seven

ELODIE

Wakingup in Shaw’s arms was a littletoofamiliar.

Too…comfortable.

For a few moments when I first drifted awake, it was almost like before, when this was an everyday thing if we were lucky enough to be in the same city. If proximity was on our side,nothingcould keep us away from each other.

We were happy, and in love, and…then I fucked it all up.

We could’ve been like this forever if I hadn’t fucked it up.

That was the thought that pulled me fully awake to carefully extricate myself from Shaw’s hold—it probably wasn’t a great idea to linger in such an intimate position when we weren’t “like that” anymore. He was still deep in it, undoubtedly tired from being up with me half the night, sitting.

If I’d just stayed my ass at home, this wouldn’t have been a problem.

In the bathroom, I relieved the pressure on my bladder then went to the sink to wash my hands. I didn’twantto check the mirror, but I couldn’t help my gaze from traveling up.

I lookedexactlylike what I’d been through.

Shit.

Somehow, my eyes were still rimmed in red from crying—a great complement to the swollen, puffy face. I dried off my hands, lifting the oversized arm of the T-shirt I’d borrowed from Shaw to get a good look at the bruise my so-called “fan” had left on my skin.

“I just want to talk to you!”

I shook my head, trying to clear the memory.

He’d said that shit multiple times as I was fighting him off.

I’dlongsworn off people who “talked” with their hands—it wasn’t a language I wanted to become fluent in. So to have a complete stranger take it upon himself, to be approached in such a violent manner,randomly,I…

Shit.

I didn’t want to cry again.

I left the bathroom, grabbing my phone from the nightstand before I left Shaw in his bedroom, still knocked out. It had been bold as hell to ask that man to sleep in his bed, but I was certain it was the only reason my sleep hadn’t been plagued by nightmares.

His presence had always been a comfort.

One I wasn’t entirely sure I deserved to seek anymore.

Not likethis.

Now, I found my way to a quiet spot in his living room, curling up to check my phone. It was full of texts from people checking on me, and I planned to get to everybody, but my brother was first up—especially since the phone lit up with a call from him while I was looking at it.

“Hey, loser,” I answered, trying to sound chipper.

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