Page 219 of Haunt Me

Eden: So his full name is Isaiah 55?

JamesP: *silence*

JamesP: *uncontrollable laughter*

Eden: When you can breathe again, I have a question. Is this real, those words you read? Can it happen? The thorns turning to myrtle and evergreen?

JamesP: Yeah. Yes, it can.

Eden: You mean that you personally believe it?

JamesP: I mean that it has already happened. You are proof that it can happen, because it’s happened to you, Eden. To you and my brother.

Eden: Thank you for saying that, James.

JamesP: Wanna do this again?

Eden: Oh, yes.

JamesP: Tomorrow?

Eden: You—You have time?

JamesP: I’ll make time.

Eden: I would love that. Thank you, James.

JamesP: My pleasure, sweetheart.

Europe/Massachusetts

forty

January comes to an end, and Eden is back at school, an ocean away.

I’m in Europe, busy with rehearsals and an intense gym program in preparation for my grueling tour schedule—three shows and three days off on repeat for the next five months.

The goodbye is hard, but nothing changes between Eden and me because of the distance. We still spend all our time talking to each other, I still sing her to sleep every night, and we still write together. We just keep each other company via video calls.

According to Skye, the anticipation for my new album has surpassed all expectations. People are rabid for it, and apparently the fact that I am not giving any interviews or appearing anywhere to promote it feed the curiosity even more.

My stomach drops at the thought of all these people clamoring to get a piece of me, but I try to stay grounded and focused on Eden. She is my safe place. She is my sanity. We will get through this, together.

Every time I return to my hotel, shattered after a show, Eden is waiting for me in the screen of my phone, her sweet face making up for all the exhaustion and emptiness.

“You are my rest,” I croak to her with what’s left of my voice and energy.

“You were amazing, Zay,” she says. Usually she’s crying. “You were so cool, so tireless, so… so you. I am in awe.”

“Just don’t fall too hard for me,” I rasp, “now that you’ve seen me all sexy.”

“Too late,” she laughs.

“I couldn’t wait to get back to you, Eden. I couldn’t wait.”

I pass out holding my phone next to my face, and I don’t care who sees me like that while I’m asleep.

…

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