Page 99 of Voices

“He wasn’t in class tonight, sorry. He’s further along than everyone else so maybe he’s working on something else? I’m not sure but if you see him, please let him know that his attendance is still required for my class.”

“Sure.” I’m still very confused.

“Good night, Shane,” she smiles and walks away.

Holding both cups in one hand, I pull out my phone. He hasn’t called or texted. I press call on his number as I head towards his townhouse.

He doesn’t answer as it goes to voicemail.

“Hey, baby. I was waiting for you after your class, but your professor said you didn’t come. I’m hoping since you didn’t answer that you’re either sleeping or lost in a project. I’ll be at your place in about ten minutes.” I hang up and pick up my pace as a gust of wind blows through my hoodie.

No Rolls-Royce or large man is waiting for me this time when I get to his building. I quickly enter the code and make my way up to his floor, and unlock his door using the key Lily gave me.

All the lights are off except for the glow coming from the TV in his living room. I quietly close and lock the door behind me before walking to where I hope he’s sleeping on the couch. I see a lump under a few blankets then spot the top of his head with his dark hair sticking out. I smile to myself as I set the drinks down on the coffee table and walk over to him.

I step on something that flattens under my foot. Squatting down to get a better look, I see multiple somethings all over thefloor. I turn to the side to get some light from the TV and freeze when I see pills. My throat clicks as I swallow and look up at Charlie’s hidden body.

He wouldn’t.

With a shaking hand, I pull the blanket off his face. I hold my hand in front of his parted lips and hold my breath as I wait for his to hit my chilled hand.

I can’t feel anything, but I don’t know if he’s not breathing or if my hand is too cold to feel his soft breathing.

I grab his shoulder and gently shake him. “Charlie.” He doesn’t respond, making my heart rate double. I shake him harder and say his name louder as the backs of my eyes start to sting.

“Charlie!”

His eyes flutter open followed by a sleepy smile.

“Oh my God,” I sigh, pulling him into my arms. My heart is still thrashing against my rib cage as I hug him to me.

“I love your hugs but you're kind of hurting me,” his voice is muffled by my chest.

I pull away from him as he sucks in a breath then pull him back to me and kiss him. I pour my heart into the kiss. Kissing him with every single emotion I feel for him. A tear rolls down my cheek as the reality of what could have happened hits me.

Charlie pulls away and gently wipes the tear trail off my cheek.

“Why are you crying,” he asks as concern crosses his face.

I have to swallow a few times before I can trust my voice not to break. I cradle his beautiful face in my palms and go over every detail that’s already memorized in my brain. I smooth my thumbs over his sharp cheekbones and get lost in his eyes for a few moments.

“Shane?”

“I…I thought you…” I shake my head, refusing to say the words out loud. Instead, I reach over and grab a handful of the pills off the floor and hold them up.

He scrunches his brows still confused. “I don’t know…” He thinks for a second before it clicks. He quickly pushes the blankets off and sits up, grabbing my neck and pulling me to him. “I’m sorry. The bottle fell off my lap without the lid and I was too tired to pick them up. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you,” he rushes out.

I hold him to me as I convince my mind that he’s here and that he didn’t take too many pills. I run my hands up and down his back and through his hair. I’m not sure how long I stay here but soon my knees start screaming at me to get off them. I kiss the side of Charlie’s head as I slowly stand up.

He bends over and picks up the empty pill bottle, scooping some of the pills back into it. He stands up while twisting the cap on. He holds it for me to see but I have no idea what Duloxetine is.

“I don’t think I can overdose on antidepressants.” He shakes the bottle before setting it on the coffee table next to our drinks.

He picks up my hat that got knocked off at some point and replaces it backward on my head. He picks up the tea and takes a sip out of the one with his extra sugar as he hands me mine.

“Mmm,” he hums, licking his lips. He lifts onto the tips of his toes and kisses me before dropping back down and taking another sip. “Thank you.”

I hold out my hand for him. “You’re welcome.”

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