Page 116 of Collision

“I know.”

“I just - I hate him.”

“I know,” I repeat.

I sigh as I try to lift the box I have just re-packed and my wrist protests, a shooting pain burrowing up my arm. Matthew moves to my side the second the box drops from my grip. His touch is gentle and soothing as he moves it, placing it on the coffee table, before taking my hand and running his fingers up my skin.

“Mik, your wrist is swollen.”

“I know.”Where are my words? Where is my voice when I want to tell him it’s broken?Iam broken.

“Let’s go.” He pulls me to his side and wraps an arm around me.

I close my eyes. “Where?”

We haven’t finished packing the bedroom.

“The ER. You need someone to look at it.”

I stop moving. “What do we tell them?”

Matthew looks into my eyes and I find sincerity in his. “The truth.”

“The truth?”

“Yeah, Mik. You fell into the packing boxes and tried to stop your fall. The truth.”

My throat constricts as I nod and try not to cry.

When we’re gone it will all be different.I’m sure.

Present

Ben

Mikaela’s head is thrown back in laughter as she leans into my side and Norman sits back in his chair, watching us both.

“You didn’t?” She wipes at the tears that escape her in her laughter and Norman nods.

“He did. Thought he was super smooth about it too. Didn’t dream that I’d catch him. And let me tell you now, Julia Haston is not a woman to mess with.” He laughs with complete ease as he watches Mikaela for every reaction she has. He drinks in her laughter and her smiles, and he comes to life in front of her; her excitement feeding into his own. “When she found out he’d stolen my car - not even the one I was paid to drive around in, mind you, but my Mustang - she went nuts. The boy was cleaning floors with a toothbrush for a month.”

Mikaela rests her head against my shoulder as Norman speaks and I run my hand over her neck and across her shoulder, goose-pimples trailing where my touch has been, before I reach back for my jacket draped over her chair, and wrap it around her shoulders.

“How did I not know about this?” She nuzzles closer beside me as I wrap an arm around her, a beautifully easy smile ghosting her lips.

“Because it happened when I was fifteen and you were your very bookish, very scary self who spent all of her time telling her brother I was a privileged little douchebag who would inevitably end up in jail.” She blushes as I recall her words and I grin. “I was terrified I’d be proving you right, so I swore Jamie to secrecy.”

She laughs as she shakes her head and Norman mirrors her. “Did you two do that a lot? Swear not to tell me things.”

Only twice.

Only if it would hurt you.

“Wouldn’t you love to know?” I tease her lightly before leaning in to press a small kiss against her lips.

“I was going to order dessert,” Norman guffaws and Mik blushes as she looks over to the old man teasing us, “but I think that filled my sweet allowance for the night.”

Norman turns, fishing in his jacket to retrieve his wallet, and I place my hand on the bill in the middle of the table. I pull it towards myself as he shakes his head.

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