When I sink further into the pillow, it finally hits me that I’m in my bed, in my room.
I shoot up with a gasp, glancing around my room, like somehow it will change.How?
How did I get to my room?
The last thing I remember is placing my laptop down because the movie had been riveting.
Reid.
Everything comes flooding back.My boss, the Hayes family, the break-in, and Reid.
The other side of my bed is empty, Milly gone from her spot.I place my hand in the spot where I left her last night, feeling the cool sheet, indicating she’s been gone for a while.
I brush my hair away from my face, wondering how I got up here.I would remember waking up and walking upstairs.
A knock on the door startles me, and my head snaps in that direction.“Yeah?”
“Can I come in?”Malia calls through the door.
“Yeah,” I reply, and for some reason, I feel unease twist in my stomach and something else...
Guilt.
Which is ridiculous because I’ve done nothing to merit feeling this way.
I glance up when the door handle turns, the twist in my stomach intensifying.
I didn’t tell them about the break-in, or ask if Milly could sleep in my bed.
Hell, even Reid being here has guilt sinking in my stomach.
How could I be so thoughtless?
Malia peeks in, smiling at the sight of me.Her hair is in a messy bun at the top of her head, and specks of dirt line her cheeks and forehead.“You slept in.I didn’t think you’d want to sleep in much longer.”
“What time is it?”I ask, then clear my throat when it comes out hoarse.
She’s going to kick me out.I know it.I wouldn’t even blame her for it either.I should have told her about the intruder as soon as it was safe to.Instead, I let Reid cloud my mind.It’s not an excuse, it’s the truth.
“Just after ten,” she answers, and steps into the room, closing the door behind her.“You doing okay?”
My stomach bottoms out as she walks over to the swing chair and takes a seat, her gaze never leaving mine.She knows about everything.“Reid told you about the break-in?”
She nods, and for the first time, she looks away from me.Emotion clogs my throat, and the tightness in my chest has me gripping the bed sheet.She’s mad at me.She– “I’m really sorry.”
My eyes widen, and it takes me a second to realise what I’m hearing.“Why are you sorry?I’m the one who forgot to call you and explain what happened.I’m so sorry.I should have called right away.”
“You had a lot of information thrown at you.You were processing it all.It’s understandable we weren’t on your mind when a stranger was inside our home.And I’m sorry we’ve dragged you into this crap.We thought coming here was a fresh start, not a fresh load of crap.”
I sit up straighter, leaning against the headboard.“Never apologise for things out of your control.You aren’t alone anymore.I know you’re older than me, but I’m here.I can help.”
“Look, I came up here to speak to you alone so the others couldn’t influence what you decide.”She takes a breath before she continues.“I need you to know, if you want to move back out, we won’t be hurt.We will miss you, but we will understand.”
Panic sets in.“What?No!I’m not going anywhere,” I assure her, then a thought occurs to me.“Unless you want me to go?”
“It could be dangerous,” she whispers.
I sit forward, pressing my hands together in my lap.“What happened, Malia?What are you keeping a secret?”
