Page 55 of Misery and Ecstasy

My eyes shoot open, and I realize I’m face down on the sheets in my old bed. One hand is curled beneath my head, and the other is stretched out over the mattress, covering the spot McKinsey filled last night.

Which is now cold and decidedly vacant.

I ignore the unfamiliar pain in my chest as I push myself up to look around the room for any sign of her. When I see none, I sit up and wrap the sheet around my waist before walking out to the living room.

My clothes lay where I dropped them last night, but that’s the only evidence that what happened here was real.

I try not to overthink it, but the fact is… McKinsey is gone.

And so is my hope that last night was the beginning of the first meaningful relationship in my life.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

MCKINSEY

Iwoke up around five o’clock in a panic.

After I carefully removed myself from Draven’s grasp without waking him, I dressed as quickly as I could and got the hell out of there.

I’ve been avoiding my phone as much as I can ever since, too afraid Draven is going to blow it up. Equally afraid he won’t message at all.

Today I have lunch plans with Marissa and Olivia, and I promised myself I would tell them some of what’s going on so they can both knock some sense into me.

I can’t believe how badly I’m fucking up right now.

A dull ache begins to throb behind my left eye as another fucking headache begins.

Fuck.

I need to start taking my medicine again. I hate it, but it beats getting regular migraines.

Apprehension sinks into my gut when my phone vibrates on my nightstand. When it doesn’t stop, I walk over to it and find three waiting text messages.

My stomach drops when I see that none of them are from Draven.

I honestly have no idea if he’s going to care that I left in the middle of the night, but my anxiety has me thinking he’s not going to handle it well. I don’t know if I’m more afraid that he’s going to be upset or more afraid he’s not.

I open my messages then catch up in the group chat with the girls.

Olivia:

I’m running late, as usual. You guys get started without me-I’ll get there as soon as I can!

Marissa:

No problem.

Marissa:

McK, I’ll be there in about 10 mins to grab you.

Me:

See you both soon.

Before I put my phone down, I open my conversation with Draven. Maybe I can calm my anxiety if I know how he’s feeling.

Good morni

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