Page 64 of I Saved Him Too

Jacquie and Charles are worried, but I just want to be left alone.

Ash and Donnie are at practice and won’t be home until after six this evening. Donnie sent me a few text messages to check-in.

While working on my homework, there is a knock at the door. Before I got up to answer it, the door opens.

Donnie appears in the doorway, still in his uniform. I didn’t hear him come home.

“Hey.” His voice is soft.

“Hey.” I walk over to him and wrap my arms around his waist, breathing him in.

A mix of grass, dirt, and citrus.

This is what I needed.

Donnie.

My home.

“What’s wrong?” Donnie whispers, kissing my hair.

“I missed you.”

Donnie gently untangles me from his warm body. “Baby, what is it?”

“Today, it’s just—” The words are caught in my throat. I am afraid I’ll break down again if I say it out loud.

Donnie seizes my chin with his thumb, forcing me to look into his bright blue eyes. “It’s okay. You don’t have to talk about it right now.”

My shoulders relax; I appreciate Donnie not pushing me.

“Did you eat?” he asks softly.

“No, I wasn’t hungry.” At the same time, my tummy rumbles.

Traitor.

Donnie grins. “I’m going to shower, and we’ll get something to eat. Okay?”

I nod and smile, watching him walk away.

About twenty minutes later, Donnie reappears in a short-sleeved, army green Henley and jeans with a pair of Vans.

“Let’s go,” Donnie says from the door.

“Go where?”

“We’re going to get something to eat.”

“Ok, but I can’t leave Sophie,” I say as I watch my little girl sleep soundly in her crib.

“It’s ok. Mom said she’ll look after her.”

Forty-five minutes later, we’re in his car, driving down a familiar road. He pulls up into the driveway of his family’s cabin.

“What are we doing here?” I ask Donnie.

“We’re staying here for the night.” He says it like it’s an everyday thing.

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