I swear I’ve been on the verge of crying at least six times already in the past few hours. Even before my whole life imploded, I didn’t have this kind of support. I had my family, but they were never this supportive. The only person I knew I could depend on was Savannah.
My family were there, they loved me, they cared, but they had their own lives and their own problems.
And these people I’ve only truly known for a handful of months act as if I am blood, and it warms me and scares me in the same breath.
I unlock the door, and we both step inside but pause once through the door while she hands Lily over.
I expect her to leave, but she doesn’t, instead she wraps a gentle hand around my wrist. “You belong here, Sloane, even if you think you don’t. We see you as more than just Dean’s girl and Savannah’s best friend; you are family, and I hope you see that one day.”
“Already?” I choke.
“From the second Sav brought you in,” Willow squeezes and then steps back, “Call me if you ever need anything, or think, fuck it, I need a drink after dealing with these dumbasses, I’m down.”
I laugh, “Thank you, I’ll remember that.”
“Night, Sloane,” She smiles and closes the door behind her.
I move to lock it behind her but remember Dean is going to be back any minute anyway, and it feels a little freeing not turning the key or sliding the bolt.
“Come on, sweet girl,” I whisper to the sleeping baby, “Let’s get you to bed.”
I take her up to the spare bedroom and get her swaddled as carefully as I can before I transfer her to the crib and set up her monitor, sneaking from the room. I watch her carefully on my cell, making sure she remains sleeping and happy, and when five minutes pass and she doesn’t stir, I place the cell down, the feed still running, and begin to undress. I’m down to my underwear when I hear the door open downstairs.
I don’t call down to him since he’ll likely be up any second, but I do decide not to put my clothes on, remaining in my underwear for him. I glance at the monitor, the sound of his steps echoing throughout the downstairs before he starts to come up the stairs.
My heart always beats a little faster when I hear him coming.
“Hey,” I smile as he pushes open the door, but it falls the moment I seewhosteps into the room.
“Felix?” I gasp at the familiar face and then scramble because I’m practically naked, and my sister’s husband is standing right in front of me.
“Hello, Sloane,” He kicks the door closed behind him. I pull the sheets to cover myself, my confusion tugging my brows low.
Holding the sheets, I get up so I can tuck them around my body. “Is Shelly here too?” I look behind him, at the closed door, expecting my sister to walk through. How did they even find me? I haven’t spoken to any of them since I left. I didn’t tell them where I was going.
“No, Sloane.”
A memory tickles at the edge of my mind.
“Is everything okay?” My brain is lagging, I can’t fit the pieces together. “Why are you here?”
“I’ve been looking for you.” His head cocks to the side as his dark eyes roll down me. “You left, Sloane, like you always leave.”
My brain lights up.
“I don’t want to die,” I plead, “Stop, please.”
“I can’t,” He sighs, “I can’t, Sloane, because if I stop, you’ll leave. You’ll leave like you always do.”
The memory washes through me, terror following in its wake.
“It was you,” I rasp, stepping back. My knees hit the bed.
No, no, no.
“Why did you leave?” He steps closer, “I couldn’t find you.”
“I — how did you find me?”
