Page 17 of Salvation
I continue to stand there, staring at the pieces until I’m picturing how easily it would be to pick one up and end it all. Once slice and it would all be over. I can see it so clearly in my mind—the way all the pain would cease to exist. Before I can register what I’m doing, I take a step forward. And then another. I’m walking on autopilot, but maybe that’s the way it needs to be; otherwise, I might chicken out.
I’m only one more step away when the doorbell rings, jarring me out of my trance. Cursing under my breath, I shove my hands into my pockets to hide the trembling. My gaze darts around the room, a panic that someone might see my house like that slowly sinking in.
“I’m coming,” I call when the doorbell rings again as I rush around my living room, gathering things as I go. With a pile of things in my arms, I jog to my bedroom, throw the stuff inside, and walk back to the front door—resenting whoever is on the other side for keeping me in my misery.
______________________
I only open my front door enough for me to slip outside on my porch, and then I pull it closed behind me.
Hayes is standing there with his hands shoved into his pockets. When he sees what I did, he lifts one brow in question.
I shrug. “What? I don’t want you stealing my food.”
He rolls his eyes. “I’m not the one known for stealing food, Campbell. Where have you been?”
My brows press together. “Uh—at home. You’re standing on my porch. Did MJ hit you with a tire iron again? Do I need to take you to the emergency room for a possible concussion?”
Making fun of Hayes has always been easy, and I lean into that, refusing to think about what I almost did moments ago.
“I know where I am, you idiot,” Hayes growls. He’s all bark and no bite, but I pretend to be hurt anyway, throwing my hand over my chest as if I’m wounded.
“Words hurt, Hayes. Don’t you know that?”
I force myself to smirk when he punches my arm.
“I’m convinced nothing hurts you, Campbell. You let it bounce right off that thick skin of yours.”
A stab in my chest proves otherwise, but I don’t tell him that.
Leaning back against my door with my arms crossed, I ask, “So, what brings you over to my side of Benton Falls?”
In reality, the town is so small that it has no sides; everyone essentially lives in one big neighborhood. You can drive anywhere you want to go in five minutes or less.
Hayes stares at me with what looks like concern creasing his brows. “Campbell, you were supposed to be at my house an hour ago. We are having a cookout.”
Realization dawns on me, and I shove off the door, standing straight up.
“Is that today?” I ask, pulling my phone from my pocket and checking the date. There are a hundred notifications, all texts and calls from my family and friends, filling my screen. Guilt slithers under my skin into my veins. “I’m sorry, man. I must have gotten my dates mixed up. I’ll go get changed and meet you back at your house.”
I grab the doorknob, ready to walk inside, but Hayes stops me.
“Campbell, are you okay?”
I grit my teeth at the concern in his voice, thankful my back is to him so he can’t see. When I finally turn to face him, my usual smile is back in place. “I’m great.”
He doesn’t look convinced. “It’s just with Ivy being back—”
“I said I’m fine,” I bark. It’s the second time I’ve lost my temper, and that failure threatens to choke me. I swipe my hand over my mouth and avoid his gaze. “Sorry. I’m just tired. I’m going to get dressed, and I’ll meet you at your house.”
I crack open the door and slip inside, closing it to the sound of Hayes saying, “Yeah. Okay.”
Chapter 9
Campbell
There’s already a crowd at Hayes and MJ’s house when I get there. Stepping out of my truck, I run my hands through my still-damp hair as I walk up the sidewalk. I managed to pick up the glass and take a quick shower before I came, which felt like climbing Mt. Everest, but I did it.
The party is in the backyard, but I sneak in through the front door to have more time to compose myself. I’ve just reached the kitchen when a voice calls out, “If you’re here for a milkshake, I’m not sharing.”
