I sniffle, unable to get any words out.
“It’s okay to not be okay, Hud. No one expects you to have it all together. You don’t have to wear a brave face just to protect us from your pain.”
“It’s hard. My brain…”
“I know. But I’ll always remind you, because I love you.”
“I love you too, Cull,” I manage to say in a choked whisper.
I hear his sigh of relief through the speaker, and it guts me because I don’t know how to stop putting him through all this.
“I, um… I’m gonna go. I just needed to hear your voice, but I still think I need some time.”
“If that’s what you need, take it. But you can always call me. I’ll always ans—”
He lets out a pained hiss, and I bolt upright in bed. “What’s wrong?”
“I just stubbed my toe,” he wheezes.
I fall back into my pillow, something telling me he didn’t stub his toe.
“Call me if you need me. I’m still yours, Hud. Always.” Then he hangs up.
A little warmth creeps back into my chest. Cullen’s voice is like a miracle drug, one I’ve been taking for granted.
My stomach growls, and I realize it’s been too long since I’ve eaten. With a little bit of renewed energy, I drag myself out of bed and head downstairs to make a sandwich.
I freeze when I see Hadley sitting at the kitchen table. I edge around her to get to the fridge.
“Must be nice to sleep all week. I’m surprised you’re not up Cullen’s ass,” she giggles, but it sounds odd—forced. “Hey, look! I made a pun.” Her lips curl into a grin that doesn’t quite reach her eyes as she picks through a bag of chips.
I roll my eyes where she can’t see. “We’re taking a break.”
I guess that’s what this is. After that call, it’s clear he isn’t letting me off the hook that easily. I almost smile.
Hadley’s grin lingers, but it looks brittle. She leans back, eyes glinting with something that’s definitely not sympathy. “That would explain why you’re not at his bedside playing nurse.”
I forget how to breathe, my air caught in my throat. “What do you mean?” I’m trying not to panic or jump to conclusions. Hadley could just be goading again, like she has been for weeks.
“Oh, oops,” she says, no inflection in her voice. “I forgot you weren’t supposed to know. But since the cat is out of the bag…” she stands, hands planted on the wood table. “He was attacked by your lovely little stalker about a week ago. Messed him up pretty good.”
My heart is pounding against my ribs, pain grabbing onto the already shattered pieces of my soul.
“What? Why wouldn’t he tell me?” My throat is constricted, the words squeezed out.
Hadley huffs a small, hollow laugh, a tear streaking down her cheek. “How does it feel to have the ones you love most keep secrets from you?”
She straightens and begins to walk backwards out of the kitchen, but not before she throws one final grenade. “I told you everyone would be better off without you.” More tears drip from her eyes, her voice a soft tremble. “You’re the reason we’re all hurting.”
Then she’s disappearing down the hallway and out the front door with a slam.
My legs move before I realize it. I rush upstairs and tear through my drawers for clean clothes, throwing them on, then racing out the door, Cull the only thing on my mind. I burst outside and head for my car, stopping when I see a piece of paper tucked under the wiper blade. My stomach twists.
I rip it free, teeth clenched, and unfold it.
It’s a collage of photos, all of Cullen and me, taken without us knowing. Some are harmless candids, but others feel disturbingly calculated. Like the one from the bridge. Cullen’sface is scratched out in every single one. Some defaced with red ink, others burned through entirely.
At the bottom, there’s a message.
