Page 26 of Only Everything
“Taur.”
My hand came out, and my fingers hovered over her swollen cheek, almost touching. I let it float down along the side of her bruised neck, inching lower as my compulsion to touch her overwhelmed me.
My breath came out broken, and I moved over her shoulder, letting my palm settle as my fingers curled around her back. For seconds, I didn’t move. I didn’t speak.I was touching her.I had her right here in front of me, and this was real.
“Tauren. It’s time to wake up. You told me not to let you sleep past ten.”
I swallowed hard, licking my lips. A soft whimper left her as her legs straightened and she stretched, but still she kept her eyes closed. The slight grimace softened, and I saw her begin to fall back deeper into sleep.
What was five more minutes? What was thirty?
No. I couldn’t risk upsetting her. I had to stick by her rules and give her power. I had to show her I wasn’t controlling like Emmett.
“It’s time to wake up.”
At my soft words, she smiled. My thumb couldn’t help but slide up the oversized sleeve of my t-shirt that shewore so I could caress her bicep.My shirt. On her.Just like old times.Her skin was still as soft as I remembered. Did it smell and taste the same too?
“Taur?”
Seconds passed. Her head lifted, and she finally cracked open her eyes. She looked lost as she glanced around my bedroom. Full lips separated and her brown hair swayed as she scanned the space in confusion. Her breath hitched. Tears gathered as she lowered her gaze to me and slowly eased her head back down. The moment she blinked, tears raced towards my pillow.
“That happened…?”
Her voice was raw still from the choking. Light brown eyes rose to mine and the trembling had me lifting my arm. I didn’t need to answer her question. Tauren flew forward, wrapping herself around me, letting the sobs pour free in a wave of heartbreaking cries. I held onto her, tightening my hold as I breathed her in. I squeezed my eyes, burning this memory inside me too.
Home. Yes. This is what I knew. My broken sister clinging to me to fix the tragedy that seemed to love her as much as I did.
“It’s okay. I got you.”
“It feels like a nightmare. But it wasn’t. Emmett’s dead. He’s really dead.”
“He hurt you. He deserved to pay for what he did.” I paused, trying to reign in the hate. She didn’t need to see that right now. “How do you feel?”
She sniffled, pulling back to rest on the pillow as she took me in.
“I hurt everywhere.”
“You’re safe now.”
Tauren’s lids narrowed the smallest amount through her hesitation.
“Am I?”
“You think I’d let anyone hurt you?”
Another sniffle as she continued to study my face. “No.” Another pause. “But I wasn’t referring to anyone else. I’m talking about you. Reid…you’ve been angry at me. I understand why, but?—”
“That’s over now.” I couldn’t help but grab her hand to hold between us. “All I wanted was this. To see you. To talk to you.” My lips pursed through the chaotic questions bombarding me. “Did you miss me at all?”
Tauren’s face softened, and she brought up my hand, kissing against it. I could barely catch my breath.
“More than you know. All the time.”
My mouth tugged back with a smile, and I forced myself not to pull her closer like I wanted.
“Then, it’s a fresh start. Me—You. I’m here to be whatever you need. Just…need me.” I choked back the jumble of pleas that begged to come. “I mean, furniture is heavy. You’ll need someone to help you move into your new apartment, or maybe you just want someone to talk to. I can be anything.”
More tears came, pouring free from her eyes, and a sob soon followed.
