Page 103 of Love Me

I crash in the passenger seat, and my head lolls to the side as sleep drags me under.

I’m jolted awake by a shove. Grumbling, I open an eye to see Blake nudging me.

“We’re here.”

Clarity gradually seeps through my grogginess. I push myself up, bracing against the door.

Staggering upstairs, I zig-zag toward a singular goal—Celine’s comfort.

I hold on to the banister and stumble from one wall to the other before I tumble inside her room.

“Wife, I am home. Miss me?”

I drop onto the bed. Light flickers from under the bathroom door. She will come out any moment, and then I can have her.

***

When I wake up, an ache throbs in my head, feeling like it’s splitting my skull. I peel one eye open and groan. The sun attacks my vision, and I shut it again.

Last night’s events become clearer in my head. I am in Celine’s room. I got drunk and ended up in her bed. Only the latter was in my plans last night. I don’t even care anymore. She’s embedded in my life’s fabric.

My lips curl, and I pat the side of the bed next to me, but it’s empty and cold.

“Celine?”

Where is she? Light comes from under the bathroom door, and I knock on it.

“Hey, baby, are you okay?”

Sighing, I brace my hands against the door. “We need to talk.”

No reply, no sounds, no nothing. Panic sets in my veins. “Sky, open the door right now.” I count to three and then yank the door open, but there is no sign of her.

I shout her name, then search for her in every room, my worry skyrocketing.

Sweat gathers at my nape, and Hunter says, “Get the fuck out of my room.”

“Have you seen Celine?”

“No. Get out.”

Fuck. Fear tears at my composure. Dark thoughts swirl in my head. I try to keep calm and not give into despair. I come face to face with Bailey.

“She’s not here. Celine left.”

“Where?”

Bailey eyes me, lips pursed in a line of disappointment. I am not in the mood for judgment.

“Where is she?” Where is my wife?

She turns around and I follow her into the kitchen.

“You said the house is ready. This place is messing with us all. I think we should leave.” A shudder ripples through her, and I block her from approaching the fridge.

“What do you know?”

“I promised her I wouldn’t tell. But she will come back.”

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