Page 85 of Don't Break My Heart
What the fuck…
Epilogue
Twelve months later
I’mlyingoutinthe Italian sun, the sound of lapping waves and chirping birds relaxing me into a peaceful doze. The sun is hot and feels heavenly beaming down on my bare skin. I have gone from lazing on the sofa inside our villa to lying out on the pool deck. It’s been a week since I took my last pill and over twelve months since I made the decision to work on my mental health, not just cover up the shit with booze and pills. It’s been a rocky road, some weeks worse than others. But the boys have been with me every step of the way. Making sure I eat properly and exercise when I’m feeling out of control. My therapist has also been a godsend.
A week ago, I finally felt strong enough to attempt coming off the pills. And so far, so good. I have been on vacation with the boys the whole time, so only time will tell if I can manage without them when I get back to Ravens Hollow next week. The only side effect I have noticed is this constant feeling I’m about to be sick. It’s like I’m on a boat or I have had a massive night out with the girls. An uncomfortable swirling that comes and goes throughout the day.
“A cocktail for the lady?” Reef’s cheeky voice stirs me from my daydreaming.
I glance at him to find he’s holding a brightly colored layered drink with a little umbrella in the side and a slice of pineapple accompanying it. I swing my legs over the side of the day bed and take the glass fromhim. I take a sip. “Fruity. But I don’t think you can call it a cocktail when there is no alcohol present.”
“It’s really just a fancy fruit smoothie.” He chuckles. “Romeo was worried you didn’t eat enough for breakfast,” he says, but he looks distracted. His eyes are roaming over my body, that look of lust I have come to know well in his green eyes.
“I ate plenty for breakfast. But I’ll take the drink.” I let my eyes run leisurely over him as well. He’s one sexy motherfucker, in just his board shorts, his broad chest glistening from the swim he took not ten minutes ago.
“You should cover up, you’re going to burn.”
I run my hands up and over my bare tits. “Funny you’re so concerned when I’m pretty sure the tent in your pants is you appreciating my half-naked state.”
He bends down to kiss me. “All of me is appreciating your beautiful body. I just don’t want you so burned I can’t touch you later.”
“We wouldn’t want that now, would we.” I smirk back at him as I take up my bikini top and slip it back on then throw a shawl over my shoulders.
Sipping at my smoothie, I am feeling kind of hot and strangely hungover when I haven’t had a lick of alcohol the entire time I have been here. Romeo’s smoothie also tastes kind of strange. I glance down at it. “What did he put in this?” I ask Reef.
“Why, is it bad?” He takes it from me and has a sip. “Tastes good to me.”
“Yeah, okay.” I have another sip and my stomach turns. Fuck. I shove the thing back into his hands and stand, making a run for the downstairs bathroom. I push open the door just in time before I empty the contents of my stomach.
Shit, why do I feel hungover? Is it just my body learning to live without the pills? I move over to the sink and wash my face, then turn around to find all four of them waiting at the door.
“What the fuck, doll face, you sick?” Romeo asks, concern etched on his handsome face.
“Um, no. What did you put in that smoothie?”
“Fruit, mostly. A banana, mango, pineapple, and some ice cream, that’s it.”
“Maybe it was something you ate last night?” Orlando suggests.
“We all had the same pasta. And I cooked it. I will have you know that no one has ever gotten food poisoning from anything I have cooked. Ever,” Romeo snips, taking personal offence to his brother’s comment.
“Probably too much sun,” Reef says with a smile as I pass them all and walk back into the living room.
Onyx hands me a glass of ice water, and I drink it down like a camel.
His hand comes to my back. “You have been off all week, Sloane. Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Have I?” I ask. I knew I had been feeling a bit off, but I was just putting it down to being off the pills. Now I’m not so sure, if Onyx has noticed it as well. I start walking up the stairs, heading in the direction of the kitchen.
Onyx follows me. “You’ve been off your food and more tired than usual.”
“We’re on vacation, I’m supposed to spend half the day sleeping.” I open the fridge, looking for something to eat. Then close it again and go to the pantry. Finding a loaf of bread, I take out a slice and bite into it immediately. When I turn back, they are all up here with us.
Reef is grinning at me, way too happy for someone who just witnessed me vomiting my guts up. Romeo matches his expression, like the two of them are in on a little secret.
“What the fuck has gotten into the two of you?” I point my bread in their direction.
