Page 81 of Needing to Fall
She was sweet, but I was happy that she got me. She didn’t know me from the person walking down the road, but she was trying. I was going to, as well.
“I’m really okay.” I sighed. “It took a long time for my best friend to be able to grab my hand. It’s something I’m working through, but I’m just not the touchy-feely type.” I hoped I didn’t come out bitchy. I simply needed her to know I wasn’t ready for that kind of contact.
“I’m a hugger.” She shrugged. “I got lost in the excitement, but I’ll do better.”
“Thanks.” I gave her a soft smile, feeling like she really did believe it. I was happy she was giving me that, even though it was hard on her. She was pulling herself back, and that meant a lot to me.
“Help me set the table?” She was letting me off the hook. In so many ways, she reminded me of her brother.
“Sure.”
We passed by the living room where Lynx was playing with Braylynn.
Bailey stopped. “Mal,” she called, and the man in the recliner turned. He was handsome with an olive skin tone and dark hair. He wore glasses that were wire framed, almost looking like the kind Santa Claus wore. “This is Reign. Reign, this is Mal, my husband.”
“Hi.” I waved my hand stupidly as Lynx looked up with a smile on his face. He loved that little girl with everything he had, and it showed all throughout his body.
Mal didn’t get up from his chair; he just said, “Welcome, Reign. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Same here.”
“Okay, Reign is going to help me in the kitchen.”
I shrugged at Lynx. My help in the kitchen wouldn’t be much help at all, but I followed.
The kitchen had white cabinets, cream walls, and a dark marble countertop. The floor was tiled in an intricate way that must have taken whoever had done it days. The large kitchen island was littered with food. I didn’t know whom she was expecting to be there that night, but there was no way we could eat all of it.
Off to the side was a large, open dining area. The entire space was warm and inviting. The table looked as if the wood had been beaten over time, giving it a very rustic feeling. More pictures lined the walls, and I had to stop myself from going to look at them as the curiosity grabbed me.
“Will you put the plates on the table?”
I saw them sitting on the island. “Sure.” I walked around the space and picked up the plates that weighed a ton. They must be stoneware or something. I only knew what that was because Andi’s mom had a full set of them.
Bailey went to the stove where the scents of whatever was on it wafted throughout the room.
Taking a step, my foot caught on something that slid. I dropped the plates, trying to brace my fall onto the hard tile, and the shatter of the stoneware on the ceramic tiles was deafening as my shoulder slammed into the floor.
I let out a loud cry as pain radiated up through my arm and shoulder blade. My hand hurt, too, and when I looked at it, I saw blood. Shit, I had cut myself. I had ruined their plates and hurt my damn self. I looked to my feet where a dog with wheels and a red pull cord lay sideways. A toy. Crap.Reign, you should have looked for toys. Kids, dammit.
“Oh, my God!” Bailey screeched as she ran to me and kneeled down beside me. Her hands moved as if it were killing her not to touch me.
I gave her an out. “Can you get me a rag?”
She jolted up and ran to the counter as the blood poured out of my hand. Shit, it must be deep.
“What happened?” Lynx came storming into the room like a thundercloud ready to clap. His eyes looked different, almost removed as he stared down at me. The spark that I had come to love in Lynx wasn’t there, and that scared me more than my hand bleeding.
“I’m okay. I tripped.” I sat up on the floor, my shoulder hurting, but not showing it at all.
“Dammit!” Lynx yelled, spotting the toy on the floor. He went to it, picked it up, opened the back door, and threw it hard into the night sky.
Panic arose in me. This was one of his attacks. The sound of the fall and the sight of my blood must have set him off. Shit.
Bailey rushed up, giving me the towel, just as Lynx was there, pushing Bailey out of the way. I felt horrible as she stumbled backward before finding her footing.
Lynx was in a robotic state, like he was working on autopilot, doing what needed to be done, yet he wasn’t really there with us. He was somewhere else.
“Lynx,” I said softly, getting no response from him as he inspected my hand.
