Page 79 of Bones
I flushed. “I gave ’em to one of the kids.”
He held my eyes as he stepped closer and reached toward me. I narrowed my eyes, but he just gently took my cold hand. “Let’s go back to the clinic where it’s warm.”
I paused, confused. “Ok.” Shouldn’t he still hate me?
He didn't let go, tugging me along with him as he turned and headed back to the clinic. I knew if I yanked my hand back, he'd let go, but for some stupid reason, I didn't. Back in the clinic, I expected him to drop my hand but if anything, he gripped it tighter. He led me to the wood stove before he stopped and turned, his face full of emotion.
"Bones, you don't have to hide the soft parts of you. Not from me," he murmured. "No matter what's goin' on between us, I willneveruse them to hurt you.”
I stared at him, rooted to the spot by those words. I didn’t understand how heknewthe things that scared me without me saying it out loud. He stepped closer, still holding my hand, and I just continued to stand there staring as he caught my other hand too.
“I was never gonna make you stop feeding them,” he said. “All I want is to make sure you don’t kill yourself trying to save everyone else.”
“I’m not gonna kill myself,” I scoffed weakly.
He brought my icy hands up to his lips, blowing warm breath onto my fingers. I knew I should pull away. I knew I should say something cruel to push him away, but I couldn’t.
“You know what I think about almost every night?” he murmured.
I could’ve sworn he pressed his lips briefly to my knuckles, but I wasn’t sure. I thought I’d ripped out all the feelings I had for him, but I could feel them there again, tiny shoots uncurling and stretching upwards.
“I think about your face when Lana pulled that gun on you. You lookedrelieved.You were gonna just sit there and let her kill you. An’ all I knew was that I couldn’t let that happen.”
My eyes burned and I blinked, trying to get ahold of myself, but the words spilled out. “You should hate me.”
“Would you believe me if I said I tried?” That crooked smile ghosted across his lips.
“Trey—”
“Let me help you,” he interrupted. “You wanna be with Zip? That’s fine. Be with Zip. But please, Bones. Please stop pushin’ me away. I’m never gonna try to make you stop caring, ok? It’s one of the most beautiful things about you.” He smiled. “Even though you try so damn hard to act like you don’t care at all.”
He let go of my hands and stepped back, leaving me chilled. I tried to think of something to say, but my brain had dropped clean out of my head.
“I’ll talk to Mac about the kids, ok? See if we can work out a way to get some extra food.”
“No,” I said sharply and he frowned, but I continued before he could protest, “Let me talk to Madame. I’m sure I can work out a deal.”
He studied me for a moment but nodded. "Alright. I'll let you handle it. Anything else?"
“I want to let ’em sleep in the loft,” I blurted out. “There’s plenty of room, and they’re so small, and it’s gettin’ so cold. I can?—”
“Ok.”
I fell silent, staring at him.
“Ok,” he repeated. “I think that’s a great idea.”
“Ok,” I echoed. I hoped I didn’t look as off-balance as I felt.
“Have you been eatinganythingfor dinner?”
I winced. “My broth.”
He shook his head at me, but he smiled. “You dumbass.”
I tried to glare at him, but I wasn’t sure I managed it.
“Can we be friends?” he asked, holding out his hand like he wanted to shake.
