Page 122 of The Space Between
She’s still asleep, soft and warm against my chest and for a second, I pretend we’re just two people still figuring shit out… that the world outside isn’t filled with shadows trying to pull her back in.
Her fingers twitch against my side and the weight of everything comes crashing back in.
I don’t move.
When she finally stirs,she looks up at me like she’s not sure I’d still be here.
Shit.
I haven’t said the one thing she needs most.
Shifting up, I lean on one elbow so I can look down at her face. “I’m not going anywhere, Blakelyn.” I say quietly. “Not now. Not if he shows up. Not if things get messy. I’m not leaving you alone with this.”
Her throat works around a swallow, and her eyes get glassy. “Gruene, you don’t have to say that just because?—”
“I’m not,” I cut her off. “I’m saying it because it’s true.”
It is.
I’m not going anywhere.
I love her.
She nods as tears drench her lashes and trail down her cheeks. She buries her face against my chest again. She’s silent as she cries.
I let her stay there as long as she needs.
She calls in to work, saying she’s caught a bug, but she hopes to be back tomorrow.
The river is unusually quiet,even the regulars seem subdued. Or maybe, it’s just me. Maybe I can’t hear anything except the blood rushing in my ears every time I think about that text or the fact that Blakelyn is in my cabin with the doors locked. I look up at it every few minutes.
Reece throws me a look around noon. “You okay, Gruene? What the hell is going on? Is Blakelyn okay? I noticed she didn’t go to work today.”
Of course, he did.
I grunt.
He says, “You look like you’re about to rip someone’s face off.”
“Probably.” I mutter.
He raises a brow. “Want to talk about it?”
“Nope.” I reply.
He doesn’t press. He just nods and keeps unloading the beer cooler, but he looks at me every so often and I know that he knows something is definitely up.
I should tell him. He can help me keep an eye out and he’s my friend. He also cares about Blakelyn. But I don’t.
I checkin with her a few times throughout the day through text.
Gruene
Keep the doors locked.
Make sure you eat.
I’m right here if you need me.
