Page 49 of Shaken

“He was protecting you.” The same way he was always trying to protectme.

She wipes her face on her sleeve. “I’m sorry for not telling you sooner, Wren. I wish I hadn’t assumed you knew.”

“Me too, Hales. Me too.”

“I love you, Wren. Please don’t let this break us.”

“It won’t. I just need some time, okay?” Haley nods her head, and I end the call, then throw the phone across the room and curl up in a fetal position.

Fuck this day.

My phone vibrates a while later with an incoming text, and I think about leaving it there. It’s not like I can sleep on the floor, so I guess it’s time to pull up my big-girl panties and get up.

I pick up the phone and scroll through the notifications.

One text from Quinn and four from Sawyer.

Because that’s just who I need to deal with now.

The first one is from an hour ago.

Sawyer

I’m not sure what the hell has you running, but can you let me know when you make it home?

The weight of Haley’s confession crushes me.

He waited thirty minutes before sending the next one. I didn’t get the notification because I was already on the phone with Haley.

Sawyer

I asked nicely, Red. Now I’m telling you – Text me when you’re home safe.

His next text is five minutes after the last one.

Sawyer

Don’t forget, I have a key to your house, since I own the damn thing. Don’t make me use it.

That’s followed up five minutes later by the final one that just came through.

Sawyer

Open your front door, Red.

Oh no.

No. No. No... I stand and pull the sheer curtains to the side and peek through my front door.Oh shit.

Sawyer’s sitting on the rocking chair in the cold, with Zeus sleeping at his feet.

I’m not sure I can do this now.

Scratch that. I can’t handle this... him. Not now.

I crack the door open, hiding my tear-stained face in the shadows, and Sawyer jumps up from the rocker. His cheeks are pink from the cold air, and his eyes are blazing with anger.

“What are you doing here, Kingston?” The cold air skims my heated, damp skin, and I shiver, so unbelievably over today.

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