I’ve barely blinked since he left. Britt’s called to give me updates, but none of them are what I need to hear—that they’ve found him and are bringing him back to me.
Cal and Ronan stayed the night. He’d insisted she sleep back at their cabin while he stayed here with me, but she was just as persistent.
They have an interesting relationship. That saying, ‘soft for no one but her’—he embodies it.
I’d never talk back to him, and when she does, my anxiety spikes. But he just sighs and moves on. It’s an unusual dynamic—opposite in almost every way—but somehow it works.
A cup of coffee is set in front of me. I look up to see my blonde, green-eyed friend smiling. “Drink up.”
How she’s so chipper after sleeping on the couch, is beyondme. She comes to sit beside me, her own mug in hand.
“Can I ask you something?” I ask, taking a sip.
“Of course.”
“How’d Ronan know how to handle my panic attack last night?” I haven’t had a full episode like that in years. I know Keo understands how to handle them, thanks to his first-aid training, and we’ve discussed what to do in length.
She rests her cup in her lap, her freshly manicured nails tapping against the ceramic. “I suffer from them too. Ever since the incident last year that nearly took Ronan’s life, they’ve only gotten worse. So, he took classes to make sure he could take care of me.”
To me,thatis love spelled out in so many ways.
“He took me to get diagnosed with PTSD. I’d wake up in fits of panic, afraid they weren’t able to save him.” Her sigh is heavy, and I canfeelhow that affects her even now. “I still struggle, but every day is better. We help each other heal.” She tilts her head and looks at me, then offers me a smile. “Everyone has their hard. It’s all about finding the one worth working through it with.”
Keo and I have ourhard, but I swear we need each other to fill the empty spaces inside us—to embrace the dark together and bring in the light we’ve been needing for so long.
“Thank you.” I try to smile, even knowing it isn’t genuine. She deserves at least an attempt at gratitude.
“Ronan disappeared for a few days on me. I was worried, scared I’d fucked ‘us’ up before we got our chance…” She places a hand on my thigh. “He’ll come back. I can see how much you love him, and I can’t imagine he doesn’t love you just the same.”
I nod, though I worry he might feel differently. Why would he question that I love him as much as he loves me?
“You don’t even have to love me right now.”
I love him now. I loved him yesterday. And I will love him until my dying breath. I want him. Ineedhim. I can’t imagine breathing without him.
The thought of a life without him, aches.
The front door opens, and I shoot my gaze up—only to be disappointed to see Ronan walking through it. “We have unwanted company.”
I’ll admit, I appreciate his directness. Had he said, “we have company,” my hopes would’ve soared… only to be shattered.
“I’m going to talk with them.” His eyes lock on to me like lasers. “It’s the police.”
My hands tremble instantly, and the coffee slips from my grip. If it weren’t for Cal snatching it from me, I’m almost certain it would’ve spilled all over my lap.
“Breathe, Ayden. Breathe.”
“Is Ayden Pierce home?”
I drop my head, unwilling to look but unable to run. I need to hear what they have to say.
“This is his residence. How can I help you?”
“And you are?” He sounds familiar but I can’t quite place it.
“A neighbor. Ronan Byrne. Have you found Keoni?”
“No, we haven’t.”
