Page 60 of Where We Found Our Home
“Wait, Mom. You’re leaving?” We all came back to Ciara’s so that her family could see her place. Isaiah and Nina have been ribbing each other all night, but I’m not sure if they want to rip each other’s clothes off or punch each other in the face.
“Yeah, girl. Your friends can camp in here on your couch all they want, but I’m too old for that. Lincoln booked a hotel for me.”
Ciara steps into my arms. “So I guess that means you’re leaving too?”
“Yep. I’m gonna drop your mom off at her hotel, and Isaiah and I are gonna have an uncle sleepover with Nevaeh at my place. You and the ladies are on your own for the rest of the night.”
She looks at me in awe. “I seriously can’t thank you enough for tonight.”
“I would do anything for you, Angel.”
Her eyes slam shut, and when she opens them they are red-rimmed with tears. I know they’re tears of joy but I want to kiss each one away. “I’m getting that.”
“Alright, alright, lovebirds. Say goodnight to your boo so we can drink more wine and talk about him,” Sarah teases.
Isaiah chimes in. “Enjoy your night, ladies. If you decide to have a pillow fight, feel free to video chat me. Actually, wait. Sasha, I forgot you were here. Never mind, please don’t.” Sasha slaps Isaiah on the shoulder.
Ciara hugs her mom, Nevaeh, and Isaiah goodnight and kisses me one more time. Simone waits until the door is almost closed behind us to yell, “Okay, so real talk, how big is the dick?” I laugh the whole elevator ride down.
Eddie
The family’s all here, huh? Your old bodyguards and your new ones all in one place.
I’d love nothing more than to slice the happy smiles off all of their faces. You all think you’re above me. Your friend, what’s her name? The black, loud-mouthed one? Simone. That’s it. She hasn’t stopped running her mouth all night, thinking she’s so funny and entertaining. Your obnoxious mother has been showering you with hugs all night. You’re all dying to be the center of attention. It makes me sick.
Did you enjoy the drink I sent you, doll? I know tequila and pineapple juice is your favorite. I know everything about you. I instructed the waitress to tell you it was from the restaurant and not from a person. Don’t worry, doll. I didn’t do anything to the drink. It just gave me great satisfaction to see how easily I could get to you if I want. It would be so easy to slip something in your drink, wait for you to excuse yourself to the bathroom, and cart you away. Too easy. You’ve got to make it a little challenging for me, doll. It’s no fun to play with my toy when you just lie there.
That asshole Lincoln was onto me though. I saw the way he sniffed and tasted the drink before you. He’s becoming more and more of a pain. I may have to dispose of him earlier than I planned. Maybe he needs another warning. He needs to stay in line. I have a plan for you, and I’m not going to let him get in my way.
Ciara
“Ciara! Wake up!” My eyes fly open to find I’m surrounded by Brittany, Sasha, Simone, Nina, and Sarah. Their eyes are full of concern and fear.
“What happened?” I ask. I wipe the sweat from my brow. I know what they’re about to tell me. The looks on their faces tell me everything I need to know. He got the best of me yet again.
“You were having a nightmare. You were screaming and thrashing around in your sleep.”Fuck.I haven’t had one that bad in awhile. I’ve been seeing Dr. Goodwin for long enough that I can imagine what she’d tell me this means. I’ve finally decided to open my heart completely to these people, and my subconscious is trying to convince me that it’s a mistake.
“Are you okay?” Sasha asks as she hands me a glass of water.
“Yeah, I’m fine.” I sit up straighter in bed and wipe the sleep from my eyes.
“Enough. Okay?” All the heads turn toward Brittany. “You’re clearly not fine. Please stop holding everything in. Just let us be here for you.” Simone looks at Brittany with pride, and Sarah looks at her with shock. Nina and Sasha just watch me to see what I’ll do. She’s absolutely right. I can’t half-ass this. If I’m going to let them in completely, I need to actually do that. The fact that it’s my little cinnamon roll yelling at me that enough is enough tells me I’ve pushed this too far.
Deep breaths. “You’re right, you’re right. I’ve been having nightmares since the car accident, and they were getting worse as everything was escalating with Eddie, but they haven’t been that bad in awhile.”
“What happens in the nightmares?” Nina asks.
“He kills you. All of you.” Sarah gasps. Everyone else watches me with rapt attention.
“It started with somebody taking my place the day of the stabbing. Him stabbing me but when I turn the body over I morph into one of you. But last night, he took every single person I care about and made me watch as he killed you in the most brutal ways. I was standing there, not even tied up, but I couldn’t move. I had no control. I was helpless. And you were each looking at me, begging with your eyes to save you and I couldn’t do shit.” Sarah jumps when I slam my fist into my coffee table and storm into the kitchen.
“This is why you left, isn’t it?” Simone pins me with her eyes and demands the truth.
“Yes,” I sigh. “He snuck into the hospital that last time after hours.” Simone curses while Sarah’s eyes widen and Brittany’s fists clench. I honestly didn’t even know she was capable of forming a fist. “He told me that if you guys or my mom ever tried to get in his way again, he’d kill you all. I love you all. You know how much I love you, and you know how well I know you. If I had told you what he said, you’d just double down.”
“So you made the decision for us and left town,” Sarah says, her voice full of venom.
“Yes. And I’m not sorry. I needed to get out of there. I was having panic attacks daily. I needed to keep you all safe.”
