Page 43 of Trusting Skulls

He slaps me on the chest. “I’m glad you’re home, brother.”

“Me too.”

“Go get your gear while we talk to her about what’s happening.”

He doesn’t have to tell me twice. My entire body is tingling with anticipation at the thought of seeing her again.

When I get to my camp, I sit down and pull her letter from my pocket. I wonder if this is what she was writing last night as I watched from my perch in the trees.

Dear Ash,

I finally opened all of the packages you sent me. Thank you. I’m sorry I didn’t open them sooner. I wish I had. Maybe I would have realized what I have been searching for has been right in front of me the entire time.

I’d been infected by an aggressive loneliness that embedded itself into the very marrow of my bones. I tried everything to ease the pain it caused, but nothing ever penetrated deep enough to soothe the endless ache. It was untouchable … until your letters.

You’ve noticed more about me than anyone ever has. You see me. It’s made me feel something new. I’m not sure exactly what that is, but it’s been a welcome reprieve. To be honest, it scares me a little.

Could you be the cure I’ve been searching for?

Do I dare hope?

Lexie

P.S. Whether you’re the remedy or addiction, I find myself craving more.

When Jackson told me the club decided to stage an intervention and remove Lexie from her situation, I was skeptical. But this letter … I already owed the club my life for what they’ve done for my sister and me.

I’ll never be able to repay them now, because this is everything.

Chapter Seventeen

Lexie

“Lex, Lex, wake up, hun.”

I roll over and find Raffe perched on the edge of the bed. His eyes are swollen and puffy. He looks like shit.

“What’s wrong?” I sit up, rubbing my eyes.

“Nothing. We just wanted to tell you that we’re headed out. Ash is going to stay with you until you’re ready to face the world again.”

My sleepy gaze slides around the room. Dirk and Jesse are sitting at the foot of the bed.

“You’re leaving?” My brain is trying to sort out what’s happening. The beat of my heart increases at the solemn look on their faces.

“I told them about Rachel. We’re going to go get her and bring her home.”

A heartbreaking glance passes between the three of them.

“I’m glad you confided in them. You shouldn’t have to do this on your own,” I tell him.

“This place, here in the mountains, it has a way of healing …” He looks away, shaking his head. “I came up here to show you that you weren’t alone. I hope I did that for you, because you reminded me of the same.”

A knot forms in my throat at the pain this man still faces, but as they stand up to leave I remember he said Ash was here.

“We’ll see you back home soon,” he says after kissing me on the forehead.

“Wait!” I grab his arm, hanging on for dear life. “Ash is here? Now?”

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