“I got you some water,” Jae said, pointing to the glass on the coffee table.
“Thanks,” I muttered. I drained the glass, feeling awkward under their watchful eyes.Say it. Just fucking say it. You’re fine. Just fucking say it.“Sorry about that.”
My heart skipped a beat like it always did when I broke their rules, but I silently praised myself for getting the words out.How many fucking years are you going to be a weak fucking puta and let them control you? Three fucking years, Shiloh. And you still can’t fucking say you’re sorry like a normal human being.
Jae waved his hand in dismissal. “No big deal. Are you over the show? You want me to leave you guys alone?”
I looked to Enoch. “Whatever you want, Shy.”
I hadn’t heard that name in so long. My chest ached with nostalgia.
I shrugged, just wanting to no longer be the center of attention. “I’m tired. And it’s getting late. I need to head home.”
I knew that statement was going to give me issues, but it was the truth. I was exhausted, the whole day had been an endless carousel of anxiety and stress, and I just wanted off. Although, at this hour, my chance at making it all the way to the middle of nowhere in the mountains was next to zero.
There went my fucking plans.
He just had to ruin them.
Enoch and Jae shared a look before Jae stood from the couch. “I’ll, um, give you guys some space.”
I rolled my eyes and gave Enoch a glare.
“You already know what I’m about to say,” he said once Jae had left the room.
My jaw clenched and I shook my head at him. “That’s not fair. I want to leave.”
“Why?”
I groaned, watching as he took a seat on the edge of the coffee table directly in front of me.
“I just told you why. I’m. Tired.”
Enoch tilted his head, studying me, and I stifled the urge to leave the room. My fingers curled on autopilot to dig into my palms. It didn’t go unnoticed by Enoch.
“I just want you to be safe.”
He gave me a nod, like he had decided something without me.
“Look, today was a lot. I get that. And I don’t want you to think that I’m trying to trap you here. But, Shiloh,” his brown eyes flicked to my clenched fists, “you don’t have to suffer alone.”
He pulled my hands into his lap, unfurled my fists and gently stroked the scabbing indents.
“Isolation isn’t going to make the pain go away.”
I closed my eyes, my leg bouncing with anxious energy.
“If you’re here, I can be with you. I can help if you let me.”
“There’s nothing you can do, Enoch.”
“Yes, there is,” he pleaded. “Just stay here and let me comfort you.”
My eyes pricked with the onset of fresh tears, and I took a deep breath to stave them off.
“You’re safe here. I promise. You can sleep, cry, scream, whatever you need to do. Hell, break some dishes or throw some punches. Just do it here. With me.”
I opened my eyes, watching Enoch’s fingers trace my palms.
