Page 69 of Petals and Strings
“Uh, yeah, I just have a friend over. Let me step away.” The phone muffled as she said something then it was quiet when she took her hand away. “Tell me how you’re feeling.”
“Like someone lifted the hood that’s been tied around my head,” I admitted on a sigh. “It’s so weird to feel like I’ve missed so much time.”
She took a shaky breath, giving me the first sign of anything but forced cheerfulness. As much as I loved it, I wanted to know more about her and her life.
“Are you going to disappear on me again? I don’t think w… I can take it.”
I closed my eyes, trying not to let shame hit me again.
Stay present. Be here. Face the harsh truth.
“Not if I can help it. I don’t know what's changed, Sarah, I really don’t.”
“What’s that tone? What are you keeping from me?”
How did I admit to my sister, the one who saw all of my pain unfold, that I might have found a scent match? I’d be stupid to lie and say I didn’t notice how strong Audrey’s scent was. How her being near me drew me out of my head.
She was like a lighthouse in the storm, calming the raging tides and drawing me to shore, where I would be safe again.
“There’s a new patient in my ward. An omega. Her scent is different, but so good. Hell, she’s Tatum’s opposite in every way. But the way it affects me is…”
“The same?”
“Yeah.” It was a broken whisper and her silence was just as heavy. For several minutes we didn’t break it.
“You know it’s alright if she is? And honestly? If she’s bringing you back to me, how could I be anything but grateful?”
“She’s making changes,” I admitted, swallowing hard. “Some of the staff wasn’t great, the therapist we had, did nothing to help me through this like they should. He’s gone now.”
“Are you fucking kidding me?”
“Don’t cause waves, Sarah. Not when I’m on the mend. It’s done.”
“You pay far too much for that fucking place for them to be slacking. I’m calling,” she hissed fiercely. My sister was an alpha in a beta’s body when it came to protecting those she loved.
“But, can you do me a favor?”
“Anything.”
“Don’t let them change my meds again. Tell them you want approvaleverytime,” I pleaded. “Make them call you as my guardian.”
“Done,” she growled. “They won’t lock you away from me again, Caspian. But take this time and really heal, let yourself make changes. Come home to me.”
“I promise,” I said. “We’ve got art therapy in a moment, so I can’t stay on much longer. But, I really do feel like I can do this, Sarah.”
“That makes me so incredibly happy,” she said. “Now go get your painting done and call me tomorrow. I’ve got a Director to talk to, leave me on the line.”
“Love you, Sarah,” I said, waiting for her to say it back before I put the receiver on the desk and walked out.
“Done?” Cross asked, studying me. Tatum always did say I wore my feelings right on my face. Guess she was right.
“Yes. She’s on the line still, she wanted to check in with you as well,” I said, hooking a thumb behind me.
He nodded, clasping my shoulder before heading in. I didn’t pay attention to the clock to know if our call ran over, but I headed for the art therapy room just in case.
Audrey and Ansel were walking side by side, bodies touching as they walked. I’d never seen the male omega talk or be more than a ghost.
She’d brought him to life, too.
