Page 75 of Devoted

Zeke barked out a laugh. “Don’t go that far. And don’t stress about it, you won’t be facing them alone.”

We were walking down a long corridor now, seemingly without end. I didn’t dare count how many doors we were passing. “Meh, it’s fine. I’m used to facing stuff alone.”

Zeke stopped abruptly, smiling back at me. “Now you don’t have to though.”

Before I could think up a response, Zeke was opening the door he’d stopped outside. It was painted a deep blue, almost the same shade as Zeke’s eyes.

He didn’t hesitate, carrying my stuff into what must have been his suite. I followed at a slower pace, too busy storing up all the details. Things I could take out and examine when I wasn’t so exhausted.

We’d stepped into a sitting room, with a deep, comfy looking sofa and two wingback chairs surrounding a fireplace. Unlike mine at home, this one was laid with wood and ready to be lit. Iwinced internally. Would Zeke mind if I asked him not to light it when I was here?

Like glass, fire was a big trigger for me. The intrusive thoughts would become too loud, telling me I was going to intentionally set other things in the room alight until the entire place was ablaze.

Because of this, I never let myself be around open flames. It was a shame too—I used to like sitting by an open fire when I was young.

Back when my OCD didn’t have the same stranglehold it had over me today.

I moved past that quickly, taking in the rest of the room. All of it was warm and inviting, lots of blues and greens.

“Do you like it?”

I spun around to see Zeke watching me, one hand on the back of his neck.

“I love it. It’s so…you.”

He grinned, his hand falling. “I’m glad you like it. Come on, I’ll show you where you’ll be sleeping.”

There were two doors in the wall opposite the fireplace. Zeke led me to the one on the left, his hand pausing on the knob. “This is your room, mine is right there. If you need me for anything, just come straight in. You don’t have to knock.”

“Okay.” There was no way that was happening. I wouldn’t just barge in on him, no matter what he said.

“Or you can call out,” Zeke said softly. “I’ll hear you if you need me.”

The buzz from earlier was back now, the unfamiliar surroundings adding to the sensory overload. I nodded, praying Zeke would hurry up so I could be alone.

It wasn’t that Ineededto be alone. When I felt like this, not being alone was actually preferable. But people often didn’t understand that, while I liked the company, I needed silence.Sometimes, I wanted to be touched. Other times I couldn’t stand it.

I’d learned that it was easier to pull myself together on my own.

Zeke opened the door and flicked on the light. I stepped inside after him, surprise washing over me. The room itself was huge. It had to be at least as big as the downstairs of my house. Aside from the obvious bed and bedside tables, there was a desk with a monitor and other office bits on it, a half-filled bookcase, and two squashy looking armchairs with a low coffee table between them. On the wall opposite the bed was a huge television. It was spotlessly clean, the bed stacked high with pillows and cushions. There was a thick blue blanket on top that looked so soft that I yearned to wrap myself up in it.

There was no way this was just a random guest room they’d thrown together. Did they just have it ready to go at all times?

On one of the bedside tables, there were two unopened bottles of water and a giant pack of Jelly Babies. I turned to look at Zeke questioningly.

“My friends wanted to make sure you were comfortable,” he said softly in explanation. “I sent them a few ideas of how to set the room up.”

“Thank you.” It was difficult to squeeze the words out, but I managed. “You didn’t need to do any of this.”

“We wanted to,” he said simply. “There’s a lock on the inside of the door. You don’t have to use it—no one will open this door without your express permission—but if it’ll make you feel more secure, then I’d encourage you to lock it.”

My face was blazing as I nodded. Once again, Zeke was making accommodations without me needing to ask. He’d paid attention to so much more than I’d realised.

“The bathroom’s through there.” Zeke pointed to a door in the corner. “It’s just for your use, so again, no one will disturbyou. There’s fresh towels on the counter and there should be toiletries in the cupboard. If you need anything else though, please just say.”

I stared down at the thick carpet. Even if I’d been capable of speaking, I wouldn’t have been able to find the words. How could I thank Zeke for everything they’d all done for me this evening?

Tears were burning at the backs of my eyes as my hands started to tremble. I clasped them together, wondering how to ask Zeke to leave. To let me fall apart in private.

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