“We’re so sorry that happened to you again,” Katy whispered, wiping her cheeks.
Laura blew her nose into a tissue before tossing it into the bin, her brow still furrowed. “I’m sorry. And I didn’t believe you the other time because you sounded so...calm about it. Are you sure you’re okay? We can go to the hospital right now if you want.”
I shook my head. “I’m fine. Really. I’m not going to let a jackass like him take over my mind. I’m over it.”
Except for the burn on my skin, which I’d already tended to.
I glanced at Jade, who was unusually quiet. “What about you?”
“What?” Jade blinked, snapping out of her daze.
“Are you okay?” I pressed gently, my voice soft.
The attention shifted to her, and Katy jumped in before I could say more. “It’s not your fault, Jade. He would have found another way to get to her even if you hadn’t gone out. He wasn’t some random guy who just decided to kidnap Ainsley. That asshole wanted revenge.”
We took turns reassuring her, letting her know it wasn’t on her. Not even I was that worked up about it anymore.
But then Laura, still red-eyed, cracked a joke. “Jade’s probably depressed because she didn’t wipe her ass last night.”
The circle burst into laughter, including Jade herself, who had been silently holding in her emotions until then. It was exactly what we needed to cut through the heaviness hanging in the air.
I joined in, grinning. “How long did you crouch there for anyway?”
Jade groaned, rubbing her forehead as if the memory was a headache. “I don’t even want to think about it. It’s that bastard’s fault. I shouldn’t have fallen for his stupid body.”
“Can’t blame you, love,” Laura said, patting her back. “I’d have followed him too.”
The next few hours went by with the three of us making jokes, trying to forget the horror of the night before. Katy, though, couldn’t fully let it go. She circled back now and then, asking what happened to the man. I told her the simplest version—the one that wouldn’t raise any more questions.
“He fell out of the window and died when Theon fought him,” I said, hoping it would put her mind at ease. They didn’t need to think of Theon as a murderer. It was an accident, and they were glad the man was dead, regardless. Slightly worried, but mostly glad.
Eventually, they got up to take their baths. By the time they were ready to leave, evening had crept in. They’d wanted to stay another night, insisting I might need some emotional support. But I convinced them to go. The only emotional support I needed was from Theon. I’d go mad if I didn’t sleep pressed against him again.
Katy’s fiancé, surprisingly, came to pick her up himself. Laura had texted him the address, arranging the whole thingbehind her back. I couldn’t help but smile as Katy bolted off the porch and jumped into his arms, her joy palpable. He was good-looking, the kind of man I always imagined Katy would settle for.
After they reluctantly left, I grabbed my phone and stepped out of the house, locking it.
Vin’s call came in as I strolled down, heading to Theon’s. We rarely used my place because my bed was very small. All the beds were small. And I preferred his space anyway. Everywhere smelled like him. My phone screen was still cracked since there was no replacement, and Jade had fixed it for temporary use. I would get a new one.
“Happy new month,” he greeted. “A little bird told me you went to a fest yesterday.”
I chuckled. “Good morning to you. Yes, I did.”
“Why didn’t you invite me? I know I’ve been busy and haven’t had the time to come see you. Michael and I have been travelling. I hope you weren’t too bored.”
“Quite the opposite. In fact, you’d be shocked if I told you what happened.”
I didn’t tell him what happened. I was too tired to start explaining everything from the beginning, and again, he might decide I needed emotional support and pack his things to my place. That was the last thing I wanted.
So I told him I shagged someone, which was partially true.
The rest of my walk was filled with his relationship updates, and I kept quiet and listened because what would I say back to him? That I was also sleeping with the person that was only my stalker a few weeks ago? Probably not a great idea for a new month.
Getting to Theon’s place, I knocked on the door, listening for any movement inside.
No answer.
I tried the knob, expecting it to be locked, but it surprised me when the door swung open with ease. He always locked his door. Always. Maybe he’d left it open because he was expecting me. A part of me felt comforted by that thought, that he was waiting for me to come as much as I was eager to be with him.
