Page 14 of Bound by Wreckage
How can I tell him any more? He squeezes my hands, and that unlocks something inside of me. Comfort. That’s exactlythe feeling he gives me.
“He said he needed to come back and be part of the Rangers. He was here years ago. Brought me in and I’ve been here ever since. How’s your sister?” I jump in before he can ask me another question. He smirks knowing my play, but I can’t talk about me anymore. I’ve given him way too much as it is. He gives me my out.
“Great. She’s got a man, Ryker, and is happyas can be. She deserves it, but don’t tell her I told you that.” He winks playfully, and I really don’t know how to handle it. Yes, the guys at Rangers do it all the time to get my attention, but this is different. Nox doesn’t want‘Buck’s woman’s’attention. He wants Carsyn, and it kills me that she’s gone. That she’s drifted so far away there’s no chance in finding her again. Nox would’ve reallyloved her. Hell,Ireally loved her.
“That’s good. I see you joined your father’s club. Everyone always knew you would.”
“Yep. Joined as soon as I could and wouldn’t change a damn thing.”
The washers stop their spin cycle, and I jump up. “I’ll be right back. I need to change them out.”
Not only does this give me time to breathe, but it gives me time to think as well.I switch over the clothes as Nox comes to stand beside me. “I’d offer to help you, but I’m not touching another man’s underwear.”
A small smile tugs at my lips. It’s so foreign and different. The way it pulls at my cheek wakes up different nerves on my face that have been gone for so long.
“Ahh. There’s the smile.”
I feel my face heat up and try to hide it, still taking overclothes and tossing them in dryers.
Nox sets the lid down on an empty washer and hops up. “You know, I thought you lost that smile.”
It dies on my lips because he’s right. It is lost. Gone. Vanished into the air. Today was the first in years. The fake one I’ve mastered doesn’t count.
“I’ve lost a lot of things over the years, Nox,” I mumble softly, shutting the last dryerand plugging in the quarters. Looking down at the floor, I make my way back over to the bench with Nox on my heels.
“I’m seeing that.” He reaches out and takes my hand. His warmth caresses me like a blanket. It’s gentle and clean. Nothing tainted or bad. This is how life is supposed to be. Easy. Comfortable. Not living in fear of every move I make. Being scared to breathe wrong and sufferthe consequences.
Something that I’ll never have as long as I’m with Buck.
He leans in closer. “You want out? I’ll get you as far away from that piece of shit, and he’ll never find you.”
That small little bud of hope comes back, but it always has a way of biting me in the ass. This will be no different.
For hope, well she is not my friend.
