Page 79 of Make Me Trust Again
What the hell did you expect? You all but mauled her when she was feeling vulnerable.
The swing creaks as she climbs off my lap and curls into one corner, and Shadow places her head onto Rose’s lap—the little traitor.
Not that I can even blame her.
Rose clears her throat. “What keeps you up so late?”
The nightmare that woke me up flashes in my mind, making an icy chill go down my spine, but I shove the memories back. “Couldn’t sleep.”
Rose lifts her gaze and eyes me carefully as the silence stretches between us for a long moment. “Do you want to talk about it?”
Hell to the no.
She must see the answer on my face because she lets out a soft huff. “If you ever want to talk about it, I’m a good listener.”
The idea of sharing what happened with anybody, withRose, makes bile rise up my throat. There is no way I’d ever want somebody like her to be touched by the darkness and death that’s my constant companion.
Her gaze darts to the cottage, and she lets out a soft sigh. “I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep either. Not until Kyle is home, and I know he’s safe.”
Home.
As in here.
In this cottage.
Something about those words makes my throat feel tight, the weight of them settling on my shoulders.
This place is their home. Not you. You shouldn’t even look at her.
And yet, I can’t help myself. Not when she’s trying so hard to put on a strong face, but I can see through the cracks. See the fear and loneliness and sorrow—the darkness—hiding inside her.
I should walk away.
Running my fingers over my face, I let my hand fall, ready to push upright.
But I can’t.
The realization slams into me. I tilt my head back and look up at the stars scattered over the dark sky.
I can’t leave her. Not tonight.
“What are you doing?”
Shifting my head to the side, I look at her. “It’s not like either of us will sleep tonight anyway…” I shrug, letting the sentence hang in the air between us.
Rose sighs. “I guess you’re right.”
For a while, we just sit in silence until Shadow pulls back, making Rose’s hand fall, while she settles on the ground by my side.
Our hands brush, a zap of electricity coursing between us at the touch, but neither of us makes an effort to pull away.
Our only form of contact.
Our silent way of communication.
And, just for a moment, I feel at peace again.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
