Page 25 of Word to the Wise

My fingers start to move, typing his name. Each letter feels like I’m manifesting him in front of me. I leave the subject line blank and move straight into my message.

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

It’s over. Please just leave me alone.

Wishingyou the best.

Reed

His reply is almost immediate. It’s short, to the point, and says more than all the rest.

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Can’t, baby.

See you soon.

8

Mason

Reed steps into theapartment with her laptop clutched to her chest.

When I got home earlier, I panicked arriving at an empty apartment. But then I remembered Reed mentioned she might spend some time on the roof today, so I went to check on her.

I almost walked over to where she was typing away on her laptop. But she was lost in whatever she was doing, and since it’s rare to find her doing anything other than hiding in her room, I didn’t want to interrupt. So I came back downstairs to cook her dinner instead.

I never cook for myself because there’s no point when I’m the only one eating. I live off takeout and microwavable meals most of the time. But then a brunette bomb landed in the center of my life and upturned all my normal routines.

It doesn’t feel right to grab the usual burger after work when I know she probably hasn’t eaten all day. The same food I leave in the fridge in the morning is there when I get home. If she’s only going to eat one meal, it might as well be halfway decent.

So for her, I’m cooking so I don’t have to worry more than I already am. Sitting at work wondering how she’s doing upstairs.

Has she eaten?

Has she had any water?

I never used to take breaks before Reed got here, but every day like clockwork, I climb the steps between appointments to check on her.

And when I get home for the night, I cook. No matter how late my appointment ran. It might be eleven, but I make something just so I know she won’t go to bed hungry.

I’m doing what I can to be here for a girl who’s placed her trust in me. I know Sage wishes she’d let it be him, but she’s chosen me because she doesn’t know about my past and doesn’t know better.

Reed looks at me like I’m the good guy in all of this. And while I’ll protect her, it doesn’t mean I’m good for her. There’s shit from my past that only her brother knows, and it would send her running to the Twisted Kings compound so fast, I’d never see her again.

Someday, I’m going to have to come clean.

Not today.

I can’t let her go when she’s at peace here, and I’m finally getting to a point with her where she’s leaving her bed.

Today, she found the strength to do something outside of these four walls, and I want her to feel safe in taking those chances.

Reed walks into the kitchen just as I’m finishing up the bacon and flipping a pancake.

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