Oh.
Pulling my hands around my knees, I breathed in and out. Focusing on that would hopefully keep the tears at bay.
“Is it the fact that you don’t like Ryker, or the fact that Emery has a bond with him?”
“Does it matter?”
“Yes.” Scarlett was always so calm and collected. “I think Emery has the right to understand your feelings.”
“I don’t like it, okay?”
No. It wasn’t okay by a long shot.
“Where were you when I woke up from nightmares screaming? Where were you when I refused to eat and was wasting away?” My voice was thick with unshed tears. I knew where he was. He was safe somewhere else. All because he didn’t want to bother me with his own issues. “Where were you, Enzo, when all I needed was you?”
“Em….”
“Not here.” I sucked in my lower lip. “Ryker was here. He was a friend when I had nothing left. He was the one to get me back on my feet. If it hadn’t been for him, I wouldn’t be sitting here right now, because there was no way I could live without you. I thought I’d killed you. But if this is how you want to act, maybe you should leave.”
With that, I stood and walked away. Once my back was turned to Enzo, my heart cracked wide open and the tears finally fell. I made it to Ryker’s room, the door firmly shut before I slid my back down it.
Only then, closed away from the world in a place I knew no one would bother me, did I let the sobs take over.
Ryker
Why wasn’t I the least bit surprised about the situation when I returned home? I didn’t say a word as I sat the bags on the table with two new comforters, one fleece blanket for Enzo, and a few groceries. I ignored the elephant in the room while I put everything away.
Enzo was sitting alone on the couch, Scarlett in the chair across from him. Every so often, I heard her voice carry through the house, trying to get him to talk. She wasn’t having much luck.
My guess was that either Enzo had shut down after being triggered, which was highly likely, or he was just being stubborn. Since I didn’t know him well enough, it could have been either.
Scarlett waited until I was done before she stood up from the chair. I wasn’t sure how to take the fiery look in her eyes. I either wanted to try to conquer the world, or run and hide.
“Why are boys so darn stubborn?” Thankfully, she didn’t pause long enough for me to give an answer. “Emery is asleep on your bed. He had a mild panic attack.” She held up a hand when I opened my mouth. “He’s tired but fine. Enzo is the one who needs someone to get through to him.”
“And what am I to say to him? You’re the head doctor here.”
“I don’t think I can possibly say anything I haven’t already said.” She sounded so defeated. “He’s jealous of how your relationship is with Emery. That’s what set Emery off. Then, Enzo shut down and refused to listen. So, I'm pulling out my last card.”
“Still don’t think I can be of much help.”
“Please try. Enzo is never going to let himself feel like he can stay here if you seem like a threat to him.”
“I’m not.”
“You and I both know that. So, please...” She held out her hand, palm up, towards the quiet living room.
Closing my eyes and hoping for any sort of patience, I figured I’d at least try.
Still not sure what to say, or where to start, I made my way to the chair Scarlett had been sitting in just moments before. Space was probably one of the better options to stick to.
Enzo didn’t look at me. His eyes stared a hole into the coffee table, if it were possible. Maybe he wished the ground would open up and swallow him, too.
“I’m going to go check on Emery again,” Scarlett said. She’d still be in earshot, I'm sure.
“Scarlett says you don’t like how close Emery and I are.” Might as well dive right in. I wasn’t one to beat around the major issue, anyway. “I’m not sure why, since we’re just friends. I thought we already covered this.”
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