Page 33 of Sinful Skulls
After a few splashes of cold water on my face, I start to feel a little better. Henry is in Paris. I’ll forget everything he showed me. Sure, I can do that. “I’m fine. I’m fine. I’m fine,” I whisper to my reflection.
“Everything okay in there? The food is here.”
“I’m fine,” I say opening the door with a smile on my face.
His brows pull together. He’s not buying it.
My shoulders fall. “Okay, so I’m not fine.”
Brody wraps his big hand around my wrist and tugs me from the bathroom. He’s made the bed and opened the curtains. I cover my eyes. Fuck, it’s bright.
We sit down at the little table by the window. I chuckle at the amount of food he’s ordered.
His smile rights everything in my world. “I’m fucking starving. That is the longest I’ve ever went without food.”
“I’m …”
He reaches across the table and covers my mouth with his big hand. “Don’t you dare say it. I’m a grown man. If I wanted to eat while you were sleeping, I would have. It was my decision. I didn’t want anything to wake you.”
When he removes his hand, I let out a long breath. “Well, thank you. I didn’t realize lack of sleep could do that to a person. I’m a little scared it will happen again.”
“If it does, I’ll be there to get you through.” He shoves a burger in his mouth, eating half of it in one bite.
I stare at him as it finally dawns on me that Brody and I are in the same room again. My gaze drifts to the hotel water pitcher beside us that’s full of daisies.
“They looked a little better a few days ago,” he jokes.
“They’re still beautiful,” I whisper.
He nods toward my food. “Eat.”
As I shove a fry in my mouth, I realize I don’t have to think much when I’m with Brody. He takes care of me. I reach behind my neck and unclasp my jewelry, dropping the skull ring in my hand before replacing the necklace around my neck.
I reach across the table and open my palm. “I guess I can give this back since we’re together again. Thank you for coming.”
He takes the ring and slides it over his finger. “I hated every minute you were away from me.”
I’ve never felt this level of ease with another human being. Not even with my parents. “Me too,” I answer honestly.
We continue eating, each of us lost in our thoughts.
When he’s finally full, he leans back in his chair. “So, what happened between you getting on a plane to Paris and me finding you on the verge of a nervous breakdown in Nevada?”
I cringe. God, how embarrassing.
He grabs my chin. “Hey, you can tell me anything. Seriously. Whatever it is, let me help you carry it.”
My eyes bounce over his face. I trust him, but there are some things I can’t say out loud. I’m not ready.
“I quit school.”
He releases my chin, his eyebrows raising in surprise.
“A few days after school started, the dean called me to his office and told me I didn’t get a scholarship.”
“Maybe I could help you pay …”
I hold up my hand to stop him. “It was paid for … by my father.” I turn away from him.
