Page 56 of Protected from Malice
It’s time.
“I know,” I whisper. “Maybe after. Maybe we could watch—” My voice cracks. “Maybe we could watch the rest of the yo-yo competition?”
His features soften. “Absolutely, Brain. As soon as you want me, I’m there.”
CHAPTER 10
RAFE
Is she crying in there?
I can’t hear anything, but would I really be able to?
Would I be able to hear Eden’s soft sobs while I’m sitting at the dining table, fifteen feet and a closed door away from her?
Knowing Eden, she would do her best to hide it.
I can practically see her, curled up on the bed, hugging a pillow as she tries to stifle her cries. Her shoulders are shaking, and she has a few damp curls stuck to her face. Maybe she tries to search for a tissue, but there aren’t any around.
Arethere tissues in the bedroom? Is there water? Is she cold? Does she need a soft blanket to cuddle into to help chase away the chill?
Does she needme?
It’s been almost an hour and a half since Eden and Indy disappeared into the bedroom to hold a conversation two years in the making.
Almost an hour and a half since Eden walked in there looking like she was seconds from walking the plank. And Indy—the man who never showed his fear even in the most dangerous ofsituations—looked scared. Like he knew his life was about to change again, and it wasn’t for the better.
I wish I could have been in there with her.
I wish I could have held her hand.
I wish?—
But it wasn’t my place.
Still.
I know Eden’s hurting, and it kills me that I can’t make it better.
I could try. I could knock on the bedroom door and ask her if she’s up for watching more of that silly documentary. If she wants to eat something. Work on one of her ridiculously hard puzzles that I couldn’t solve on my own if my life depended on it.
I could give her a hug.
Shit. If it were up to me, I’d hold her for hours.
But I told myself to give her time.
Indy left the bedroom exactly thirty-two minutes ago, pale and pink-eyed and silent. His body was vibrating with barely-restrained anger and his features were pinched with guilt. He wouldn’t look at any of us as he stormed across the living room, pausing briefly at the door before muttering that he was headed to the gym.
I understood.
Sometimes the emotions are so big, so painful, the only way to deal with them is to find a different kind of hurt. The hurt that comes with muscles screaming from exertion and your body stretched to its limit. When your brain blessedly shuts off and your body takes over.
I know because I’ve been there myself.
It wasn’t that Indy was deserting Eden. He was going someplace to deal with his pain so he could come back better equipped to help Eden deal with hers.
As Indy’s best friend, I should have been the first to go after him. I should have joined him in the hotel gym and helped him work through it. Sparred with him. Spotted him. Just run silently on the treadmill beside him, offering my wordless support.
