Page 59 of Love in Pieces

?CHAPTER 22

Dallas

Abby lies on the farside of the couch under a blanket watching whatever movie is playing on the TV. She watches me carefully as I set my water bottle on the counter and kneel in front of her. Logan doesn’t move from where he’s passed out at the other end. She turns her head, keeping her eyes on me.

“Are you okay?” That’s a stupid question.

Expecting a response was a stretch. Her body weight shifts to laying her head on my lap when I take a seat on the couch. I run my fingers through her hair, detangling as I go, keeping an arm behind my head while we watch the remainder of the movie. I won’t force her to answer that question. I’m sure I already know the answer. When the movie finishes, the credits roll and fill the apartment with a musical ballad.

“Bed?” I ask softly. She nods, folding the purple blanket around her shoulders while she meanders back to the bedroom. My bedroom. A sigh of relief wafts through me as I follow her back. She climbs in with the blanket still around her.

“I’m going to clean up from work.” She nods again, and I disappear from the room into the bathroom.

I don’t know how to fix this. I don’t know what to do. I simply don’t know. With my arms braced on the edge of the sink, I stare into the mirror at my scruffy face. I haven’t shaved in a few days and it’s apparent. The bags under my eyes are bigger than they were this morning. I didn’t sleep well last night. Not when I knew Abby was alone in her room. Not when I didn’t know why she chose to sleep alone. Not when I worried that I messed up.

I make a point to shower and return to Abby quickly. I’m not sure how safe she feels right now, even when she’s got both Logan and me to protect her. She’s asleep when I return, no doubt exhausted. I slip in next to her under the covers. She’s clenching the fabric like it’s a safety blanket. I place a kiss on her temple, praying that she sleeps well tonight.

But sure enough, around three in the morning, she shoots up, her heart beating a million miles a minute, fresh tears streaming down her face, sobbing uncontrollably.

“Hey, it’s okay. It’s just a dream. I’m right here.” I rub small circles into her back, trying to soothe the nerves. She grips the top of my free hand tightly. “Shhhh.”

Minutes pass until her breathing steadies and the tears have subsided. We lay back down, and Abby curls into the soft spot of my shoulder. I won’t ask her what she dreamed about. Not right now anyway. I’m sure I can guess. And I’m sure it wasn’t pretty. Our breathing blends, slowing until it syncs up, and I feel Abby drifting off to sleep again. I stare at the ceiling, willing my own nerves to calm down.

***

I’m not sure when Ifell asleep again last night, but Abby is still asleep when I wake, curled into the fetal position. I slide out of bed, quietly making my way to the kitchen. I leave the door open a crack, not wanting to completely distance myself from her. Logan sits on a bar stool sipping his coffee.

“Morning,” he says, staring into the brown liquid.

“Morning,” I respond, pouring my own cup. I notice all the blankets and pillows piled into one spot on the couch. “Did you sleep out here all night?”

“Yeah, I was too comfortable to get up. And I heard Abby crying in the middle of the night and then I really couldn’t pull myself from the front door.”

“Now look who’s turned into the gentleman,” I joke.

He lets out a small chuckle, but the amusement is fleeting. “What do we do, Dal?”

I shake my head, swirling my coffee mug. “Your guess is as good as mine.”

“This is what I was worried about. This is why I didn’t want anything to do with it that first night, and for a while after.” He stares at the vinyl countertops, picking at something stuck to it.

“I know.” I pause, choosing my words carefully. “I didn’t really know what I was getting myself into when all of this happened. I never intended to drag you into this.”

“I live here, dude. You brought her back here that night, then invited her to live here, without consulting me first might I add, and now her crazy ex is looking for her.” He sighs, taking a long sip.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize it would get this bad. But I have a feeling this is just the beginning.”

“Yeah, no shit.”

An excruciating silence fills the kitchen while we both drink our coffee, unsure of what to say next. “There’s this saying: not by your hand, but in your lap. That’s what this is. We didn’t cause it, but we can’t just let it continue.”

He finally looks up. “I’m not going to let it continue. I’m just trying to process all of this. Trying to figure out the next best thing.” He taps the side of his mug impatiently.

“Me, too.”

***

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