Page 287 of Satan's Spawn
She learned really quickly she had no choice but to accept the situation; the conversation we had prior to me leaving to see him serving her a huge dose of reality.
Mainly that she’s been pretty selfish for the past few years.
I felt bad about the things I said for a while, but they must’ve worked because Mom laid off her attempts to keep me away from Crayton.
Reaching my hand out, I pluck the cigarette Cillian is failing to smoke from his fingers and take a pull.
He watches me curiously as I blow out a cloud of smoke between us.
“You smoking now, too?” he questions, sliding his hands in the pockets of his slacks.
“Occasionally with Hendrix, when my anxiety is high.”
“So, all the time?”
I chuckle. “Pretty much.”
He retrieves the cigarette from me, trying again. “I always hated smoking, mostly because Crayton had his room stinking of tobacco every weekend he came home.”
“It’s a nasty habit for sure.”
He looks down at the stick in his hand. “Yeah, well, Crayton’s got a few of them.”
I got the opportunity to develop a solid relationship with Cillian during these passing weeks: between sitting together during trial and sitting together for dinner at his house almost every night. He also lets me bring Potato, who found his personal sleep spot next to the floor to ceiling bookcase in the living room.
Thankfully Crayton doesn’t have to be detained during the trial, so I soak up whatever amount of time I can during and after school hours.
“He’s been changing for the better.” I try to convince him, but the guy seems more dejected than Crayton.
He tosses the cigarette down the steps with very little finesse. “Thanks to you.”
“It’s Crayton’s choice to make better decisions, not mine.”
His demeanor softens. “Yeah, you’re right.” He scrubs two hands down his face. “God, I’m so fucking scared to lose him.”
I clench his hand. “You won’t. Neither of us will.”
He shuts his eyes. “I’m afraid we already did.”
“Crayton did not commit this murder, Cillian. The truth will prevail.”
“That’s a lovely sentiment, sweetheart.”
“It’s more than a sentiment, it’s something I believe wholeheartedly. This is not the end of mine and Crayton’s story. It’s not yours either.”
Tears gloss his eyes. “Crayton’s been my sole purpose since I found him starving and scared in one of my two bedroom apartments.”
Crayton never told me the details about how he met Cillian, only that he adopted him. I didn’t even think to ask him how.
This only makes me love Cillian more.
“Your apartment?”
“In one of my buildings.”
The puzzle pieces fit like a glove, now.
“I see.”
