Page 98 of Releasing 10
“Oooh,” Danny Call teased when we walked into my room. Of course, he was being a nosy bastard, as usual, and going through all my stuff like he always did when he came over. “Biggsie’sgirlfriendis here.”
“Get out of my room, Danny,” I ordered, pointing to my door. “Now.”
“Hughie and Lizzie up a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G,” he snickered, while obliging me by moving for the door. “First comes love, second comes marriage, third comes a baby Biggsie in a golden car—”
I closed the door on his face before he could finish. “Do you want to know a secret?” I asked, walking Liz over to my bed. “I can’tstandthat guy.”
Climbing onto my bed, she curled up in a ball on her side, facing me. “Then why do you always invite him to your parties?”
“Because he’s still one of the lads, I suppose,” I replied, flopping down on the mattress beside her. “It would be lousy to invite everyone and leave him out.”
“Even though you can’t stand him?”
I rolled onto my side, facing her. “Manners cost nothing.” I smirked. “At least, that’s what my mother constantly tells me.”
A smile ghosted her lips. “You’re like her.”
“My mam?”
Nodding, she reached up and covered my cheek with her small hand. “You’re good on the inside.”
“So are you, Liz.”
“No, Hugh.” She shook her head sadly. “I’m not.”
Frowning, I draped an arm around her and pulled her close. “Why would you say that, Liz?”
Shivering, she rested her forehead against mine and whispered, “Because it’s the truth.”
“Nope.” Shifting closer, I rested my hand on her cheek. “It’s not even close to being the truth.”
“I’m sorry I was late to your party,” she whispered, changing the subject, as another shiver racked through her. “Happy birthday.”
“It’s okay.” I stroked her cheekbone with my thumb. “I’m just glad you’re here.”
“You are?”
I nodded.
“Caoimhe said she told you. About me scratching her. About the hospital.” A tear trickled down her cheek when she whispered, “Do you hate me now?”
“I could never hate you,” I replied, feeling my heart crack. “I love you, remember?”
She clenched her eyes shut. “Everyone thinks I’m crazy.”
“I don’t,” I countered, rubbing my nose against hers. “Iknowyou’re not crazy.”
Sniffling, she peeked an eye open, and then, in a small, hopeful voice, she asked, “You do?”
“Yep.” Tucking her hair behind her ear, I resumed stroking her cheek. “Trust me, I know these things.”
“I do.” Her eyes widened, giving me a small glimpse of the girl I knew. “Idotrust you, Hugh.”
“You get sad sometimes, and that’s okay,” I told her, feeling the strongest urge to pull her close and protect her from the world. “And you get angry, but who doesn’t?”
“What about the scary lady?” she whispered, sounding uncertain. “And the monster?” Her eyes filled with tears. “Nobody else can see them, but I swear I see them, Hugh.” A pained sob escaped her lips. “They hurt me.”
“Are they here now?”
