Images blipped and flashed as my mind tried to drag me back to that time.
My chest nearly caved, and I grabbed onto the edge of the sink and bent in half, so close to succumbing to a panic attack.
It wasn’t like I didn’t always live there anyway.
On the brink of collapse.
But with her here?
I sucked for air, desperate to draw oxygen into my aching lungs.
Warmth washed me from behind.
Overwhelming.
So perfect and right.
So utterly misplaced.
A soft hand curled around my bicep.
Energy streaked up my arm and a need I couldn’t feel twisted my guts.
Her voice was gentle. “I do, Cash. I owe you everything. I wouldn’t be here without you. You saved?—”
I whirled out of her hold.
The action cut her off, and surprise slashed into her brow.
Old rage seeping around the barrier, I angled in her direction. “I destroyed everything. Everything.” The words were low and gritted. “You might have forgotten, but I haven’t.”
Then I weaved around her and stormed down the hall toward my office, trying to ignore it when Eva called, “Guess he don’t want nocoo-kies.”
I couldn’t sleep. Couldn’t do anything but lie on the couch, staring at the vague, ambiguous shapes on the ceiling. The shapes curling into vapors and ghosts.
Guts bleeding out with shame.
I’d been a total prick, lashing out at Daisy like any of this was her fault.
I hated it.
Hated hurting her.
But that’s what I did.
I hurt again and again.
I sat up on the side of the couch and scrubbed my hands over my face. Darkness reigned as heavily as the silence that covered the house.
I inclined my ear, listening to the stillness that echoed through the walls.
Though where there was once emptiness, there was now a fervor that wisped and called and filled the space.
Their little spirits dancing through the motes and molecules, infusing them with life.
Blowing out the strain, I stood from the couch and shuffled into the kitchen.
Dim light shined from beneath the cabinets.
