“I’ll try.”
Once he was sitting next to Scarlett, I turned to dig out some fruit from the fridge. With one ear, I listened in.
“Are you up for a session today?” she asked gently.
“Yeah.” I glanced over at him, feeling his eyes on me.
“Don’t answer what you think I want to hear. So, let me repeat my question. Are you up for a session today?”
“I’m fine. Yes.” The words were firmer. I wanted to step in and say otherwise, but it wasn’t my place. Plus, Emery did have to learn to speak up for his own needs. That wasn’t my job. Not even as a friend.
“All right.”
I sat the plate of fruit in front of him. “I have some work I can do—”
“Stay.” Emery’s request was stronger than I’d expected. “Please.” With that look, I’d cave to murder for him.
Scarlett waited until he’d finished eating and taken his meds before she began. I noticed how tired he already looked, and I wanted to call it off once more.
“Shall we go to the couch?” At least we could be comfortable while he talked, or at least sorted out his thoughts.
Emery shrugged, seeming not to care one way or another.
Scarlett waited until we sat down, Emery leaning into my side as much as he possibly could before becoming one with me.
“Let’s start with the migraine.” Emery groaned, pressing his face into my shoulder. “Do they happen often?”
“Sometimes.”
“If it’s a common occurrence, maybe some different pain meds are needed.” Scarlett looked Emery up and down, almost like she wished she could see into his mind.
“It’s not from a concussion, is it?” I asked quietly.
“They could be connected, but I’m sure the CAT scans would have shown something. If it happens again,” Scarlett waited for Emery to look at her, “maybe talking to a doctor would be a good idea.”
Emery
Iwoke up a few minutes before Ryker this time. He lay on his back, breathing in and out, his chest expanding with every breath.
He looked relaxed, even though I knew he had been sleeping less the past few nights. All because of me.
I wished I could just shut my brain off, forcing it to never think about the past, or even the future, again. But the stupid thing had a mind of its of own, my thoughts constantly going around in circles.
For the past three nights, I’d ended up in bed with Ryker. He kept the monsters away. The demons didn’t get to take control of me as easily when I had his arms wrapped around me.
The thought that Ryker was my own personal blanket was at the front of my mind.
“You’re staring.”
I jerked, not expecting Ryker to wake up. A blush filled my cheeks as I looked anywhere but at him.
The arm around my back squeezed me just for a moment before it slacked. A moment later, I lifted just enough for Ryker to move his arm from around me and leave the bed.
Disappointment filled my chest before I shook it away. I was going crazy.
After another bland breakfast, I sat on the couch, keeping Ryker in view as he looked over papers. Every few minutes, his forehead wrinkled, then he’d write something down or turn to the computer.
I was most likely staring again, but I couldn’t help it. Ryker knew what he was doing, and he didn’t seem to care that I was watching him. The few times his eyes flickered towards me, I’d drop my own.
