It’s not her.
It’s a short redhead I remember from her school.
Mary-something.
Teaches first grade.
She’s got her arms crossed and murder glowing in her eyes.
She doesn’t flinch.
“Well, well, look what the emotionally constipated cat dragged in!”
Her voice is sharp.
Clipped.
Like she’s barely holding back the urge to throw a punch.Behind her, I catch the faintest glimpse of Sabrina—curled up on the couch in an oversized hoodie, her knees tucked to her chest, eyes puffy.
I take a step forward.
Mary steps right in front of me like she’s the damn Secret Service.
“Uh-uh.No way.Back it up, Captain Testosterone.”
“I need to see her.”
“She needed you two days ago.”
My jaw clenches.“I know that.”
“Do you?”She plants a hand on her hip.“Because from what I hear, she was kidnapped, assaulted, threatened, watched several men get killed in front of her, and woke up alone in a hospital wondering if the guy who said he’d protect her meant it for more than just five minutes.”
The words hit like knives.
I nod slowly, trying not to lose it.
“I fucked up.”
“You think?”she hisses.“You don’t ghost a woman after something like that.You show up.You bring soup or flowers or something!You hold her hand.You stay!”
“I was trying to give her space,” I grind out.
“Bullshit.You were trying to run.Probably thought you were being noble, right?Classic man logic.‘Let me disappear so I don’t cause her more pain.’”She throws her hands in the air.“Guess what, brooding Rambo?Youarethe pain.”
I wince.Because she’s not wrong.
“Mary,” Sabrina whispers, but I hear it and fuck, it is so good to hear her voice.Even though it’s raspy and hoarse from her crying.
Mary steps closer, not backing down.
“She’s scared, Theo.She’s blaming herself for everything.She thinks she was just a job to you—just some pretty face who got too messy.”
“She’s not,” I snap, chest tight, heart pounding.“She’s everything.She’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me, and I left because I thought I was protecting her, but I was just being a fucking coward.”
Mary stares at me for a long moment.
Then she softens.
