“W
e can do this in two ways,” Scarlett started right after Ryker left the house. “We can all talk together, or you can take turns.”
“Together.” Enzo and I spoke at the same exact time. Scarlett gave us a smile.
“Sounds like a plan. Please remember, if either of you does want to talk to me separately, at any time, just let me know.”
“And we’re to not hold it against one another. Yes, yes, we know,” Enzo said with an eye roll.
“So, let’s get started. Tell me how you’re both doing.”
“Fine.” I was the first to answer, moving my knees against my chest. There wasn’t a way to say I was thrilled to have Enzo back with me. “Still waiting to wake up from this dream.”
“It can be hard to accept everything that has happened in the last couple of days. I’m sure it really hasn’t sunk in just yet.”
“When can we leave this house? Like, have our own place?” Enzo asked. His knee bounced up and down, and he kept his gaze on the woman in front of us.
“Ryker says we can stay as long as we want.” Why was he bringing this up again?
“Any time. But the house the government would supply for you wouldn’t be in a good neighborhood. It’s likely that the crime rate would be high, and the noise would spark your anxiety.”
“But we’d be fine. We have each other.”
“I don’t want to leave. I like it here.” I kept my voice as even as possible, feeling the chains around my chest tighten with each heartbeat. “It’s safe.”
“What makes you feel like you want to move, Enzo?” Scarlett asked.
“Just do.”
“You know I want more than that.” She leaned forward, eyes on him.
“I’m ready to get my life back to something. Sharing a place with a stranger just isn’t what we should be doing.”
“To me, it sounds like you want to move, but Emery would rather stay here.”
“He—”
“I’m not leaving.” I spoke through gritted teeth. “Please, Enzo. If you leave, I will be staying.” With a broken heart.
I knew I wouldn’t do well anywhere else. I’d freak out at every noise. I’d constantly worry.
Being here in Ryker’s house, I knew I was safe.
This was the first time in years I’d felt that.
“Fine.” Enzo huffed, flopping against the back of the couch.
“I think this is something more than just wanting to leave.” Scarlett sat back gently. “So, the truth, Enzo. We can’t move past it until it’s out in the open.”
“Nothing to say.”
“Enzo.” I reached over, taking his hand in mine. His eyes were filled with misery and something else I couldn’t quite put my finger on. “If I did something wrong, please let me know. I’ll fix it.”
At least, I'd try. I didn’t want to lose him again. I wasn’t sure I'd be able to handle it if we had to part ways.
“I’m a monster, forever hurting you.” I held up a hand when he tried to interrupt. “I know Steven forced us to, but Ryker isn’t Steven. So please, tell me what I need to do to fix us.”
“Stop going to him!” Enzo huffed, throwing both hands in the air.
