Page 48 of Endless

So true. But thankfully I talked Drey and Hunter into letting him stay in that room and wake up on his own. Angelina was on my side, knowing exactly what it was about. Damon had to come out of this funk on his own. No one could force him.

And by how lost, scared, and unsure he looked right now, hopefully this would work. Or at least spark something that resembled change. Because I missed him so much my chest ached.

The early morning crowd was already bustling. The exercisers headed out to get their runs in, the hard-core workers off to their appointments. But all who saw Damon gave pause. Disgust and sympathy rolled across their faces, mostly landing on sympathy. But I was close enough to the front desk to hear someone mention how they were disappointed in the hotel for allowing derelicts inside. Security was severely lacking.

Damon must have heard the comment, too, since he was on the far side of the counter, clumsily making his way to the front doors, because his jaw clenched, and he glanced in our direction. For a second there, I flinched like he’d seen me, then the sadness hit me like one of theFast and Furiousrace cars.

He’d never see again. I was letting him get embarrassed, struggling to the door. I should—

“He’s fine,” Doug whispered, coming up beside me. “You’re too good for him.”

No. I wasexactlyright for him.

I hustled his direction. “Damon.”

He froze where he was, which was about six inches before he ran into a leather couch in the sitting area on the way to the doors.

By the shoulders, I steered him away. And holy hell he did smell bad.

His face flushed, and he ground his molars so hard I could hear it. Okay, maybe coming over here wasn’t smart.

“I cannotbelieve this,” he whispered. “LizBelle. I—shit. I’m not sure how I got here.”

“Half a bottle of JD will do that to a person.” I released my hold on him once we were clear. “Elbow’s in front of you if you want it.”

He reached out, and with shaky fingers, he latched on. His skin was cold, clammy, and his face pale.

“I’ve missed you,” I said.

He hung his head low and didn’t answer.

“No idea how you landed here, huh?”

“Nope.”

“At least you’re okay. Here. We’re at the doors.”

His hold on me tightened. “I’m sorry. I fucked up.”

That was at least a step. I guided him through the doors and stopped a few feet from the cab.

“Cab’s straight ahead about six steps.”

He didn’t let go.

“Drey’s gonna freak. Can I stay here? Clean up before and—”

“Nope.”

“LizBelle. I—”

“Can’t stay here.” I grazed my knuckles down his cheek.

“I’ve ruined this—me and you—haven’t I?”

Chapter Twenty-Five

Damon

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