Page 35 of Paint the Town, Dove
“Was Corban around, then?”
“Maybe.” His lips thinned. “She was good at hiding him in the beginning.”
“You couldn’t tell that she was being abused?”
“Scarlett.” My name in his mouth felt like nails through a palm. “You can’t just say things like that.”
I backed away from the wall. “There are usually tells.”
I didn’t stay to see his reaction.
***
“So where is this big surprise?” I asked, swinging my feet above the kitchen floor.
I was on the shorter side, but the ground felt unusually low. Like it concaved from the weight of something heavy.Or someone.
“Is Corban fat?” I asked, eyes darting from the canary yellow wallpaper to the beige fridge.[So many stains.]
“He’s burly.” Ryden responded. “Now, close your eyes.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m going to grab your gift.”
I frowned. “Why do I need to close my eyes, then?”
His brows furrowed. “Has no one ever surprised you before?”
I swallowed, cheeks reddening in embarrassment.
[What were parents? What were surprises?]
I only knew Sinead and Flack.
Their actions were never surprising.
No hiding.“Of course I’ve been surprised!” I smiled, maybe too wide. He looked scared. He looked –
Sad.
“Anyway, anyway,” I shooed him off. “Go fetch the birthday girl her present.”
In his absence, I felt alone.
For only a few short seconds did it hit me that I relied on Ryden just as he relied on me.
He was my anchor, I, his ship.
I’d never tell him that.
But I needed Ryden.
He was…
He was my missing heartbeat.
***
