Page 54 of Drop Three

I groan at the thought. Goddammit. I can’t handle seeing anyone touch her the way I long to. But I’ll do it for her and Callaway.

I shake my head to rid my thoughts and clear my throat. “Of course. I can do that for you.”

This is the way things have to be.

I’ll be fine. I’ll channel my focus into therapy and bettering myself. I’ll work my tail off in the gym to release the frustration I’m predicting to be in my near future, and I’ll be Navy’s friend.

However, since the lines between us have been blurred, I have forgotten what that looks like.

I finish my cereal and stand to wash my dish in the sink. “Do you always do that?” Her soft voice stops me.

“Do what?”

Navy replies, “Wash your dish as soon as you’re done using it?”

I nod. “Why wouldn’t I?”

She sends me a small smile as a look of confusion settles across her face. “You never just leave it for later because you’re too tired to do it now?”

I shake my head. “No, I don’t. I don’t see the point when I’m already here and able.”

Navy groans loudly, “Ugh. Such a travesty. Do you ever get messy?”

I raise a brow. “Um…” My smirk causes her to blush, and I know now she finally realized how her question sounded.

Mud pools.Yes, I get messy.

She waves me off. “You know what, forget it. I’m glad we talked. I’ll see you in the morning, Bodhi.”

“Goodnight,” I call out as she walks toward the staircase. I take her departure as my sign to grab my book from the shelf in the media room downstairs and read on the couch until I crash.

Thankfully, I showered and changed into gym shorts and a Strikers T-shirt, so I won’t need to change.

The house is quiet for a Thursday night, and for once, the silence feels lonely. I usually prefer being alone to being surrounded by others, but tonight feels different.

I’m not sure if it’s because my mind knows that Navy is upstairs or because I’ve been working hard on myself lately. The magnitude of how alone I really am is weighing heavily on my mind.

I want to be better.

I wish there were some magic pill to save me.

Although I’m thankful for the progress I’ve made, I can’t help but think maybe I’m already too fucked up for a resurrection.

With my thriller secured, I find a spot on the living room sectional and let my mind finally turn off for the night.

15

NAVY

After showeringand changing into a nightgown, I didn’t expect to see Bodhi still awake as I headed downstairs for a late-night snack.

I also didn’t expect to see Bodhi with his head in a book.

Since when does Bodhi read? Or has he always been a reader and I never paid close enough attention to it?

That’s not right. I’ve always noticed every little detail about Bodhi.

This must be something he doesn’t let many people see.

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