Page 49 of Nightmare For Hire
“One day at a time, my friend. That’s all we can do. Trust what your heart says. That’s how I found Dani.”
I nod. Maybe I can be better, a little more trusting. Maddox deserves more than what I’ve given him so far in our friendship. I turn and grab the back of my shirt and lift it. “This is my favorite piece so far.”
He sucks in a breath. “The detail is amazing. May I?” When I nod, Maddox drags his finger around the outline of the phoenix. “The colors are exquisite. Line work impressive. I don’t know a lot about your past, but I think this fits you from what I do know.”
“Thanks.” I drop my shirt and face him again.
Maddox gives me the smallest of smiles. “Thanks for sharing it with me.” He gestures towards the equipment. “Ready?”
I bob my head and let the orc take the lead. There’s only the two of us at the gym right now, thankfully. Because now I have a big ask.
Maddox doesn’t talk much as I pour out my life story. I tell him about my parents and sex trafficking. I tell him about my insecurities and doubts. I tell him about Mick. Then I tell him about Nox, and Rivenfield, and how much I've changed since. How I love my life here, and the friends I'm allowing myself to have. I tell him everything, and it’s easier than I anticipated. I’m grateful he agreed to listen, that he was in the right headspace to hear to my trauma. It's like a thousand weights lifted from my chest.
After an hour and a half, we clean up.
“You gonna be okay to walk home?” Maddox asks.
“I feel a lot better. Lighter.”
“Good. I’m always here for you, Cy. So is Dani. And I know your friends Devon and Norris are. Nox will do anything for you. I know that from the bottom of my heart.”
I bob my head. “I know. Thank you doesn’t feel like enough right now.”
“It’s enough, Cyrus.” Maddox’s big hand is on my shoulder again. “More than enough. Thank you for trusting me.”
“I do trust you. Have trusted you from the start. And you can tell Dani if you want. I’m not going to hide or be ashamed anymore.” I fist my hands. “I’mdonewith it.” Dr. Graine will be proud.
“Sounds amazing. We still on for Friday?”
“Yeah, and next time I’ll come in the proper clothes.” Sweat drenches my t-shirt and I have a few regrets about wearing jeans to workout. “Now I need to figure out how to tell my Nightmare everything.”
“Just do it like you did me. He’ll understand.”
“You’re probably right.” But the idea still makes me freeze.
We wave our goodbye and I let the fresh air clear my head even further. I know the real Nox and to an extent he knows the real me. But… it’s time he knows everything. I just need to figure outhowto tell him.
Chapter 21
Nox
I fidget in the booth. Cyrus had such sad eyes when we parted. And I did that to him because of my whole Nightmare for hire business. I can’t just stand someone up, though. It makes people sad or angry. Plus, I need to assess the situation for my next client. Is it another Mick or another Nev?
Medusa leads what appears to be a young human my way and waves them towards me.
They have long, stringy brown hair and their clothes are too big. There’s bruising at their throat like Cyrus had.
“Come. Come. Sit. Tell me about the person you need me to terrorize. I’m Nox. He/him.” I hold out a hand.
They look towards the door and hesitate before taking the seat across from me. “Candy. She/her,” she whispers.
Not another Mick.
“Candy, no one can get you when you’re with me. Do you want to order something? My treat.”
Her eyes dart back to the door, but she relaxes and nods. “It’s my ex. They—”
“Have you reported them to the police?”
