“You’d droll sometimes, too.”
I huffed out a breath, not denying that.
“Tell me more.” I stated more than I asked. I wanted all of his memories, all the moments. Maybe it’d spark my own. Maybe it was just so I could hear his voice.
“Hmmm.” He shifted, putting one leg over the other along the coffee table. “The stuffed fox I gave you.”
I nodded, knowing it was currently sitting between the two pillows on the bed right this very second. “I won it at a carnival game. I was determined to win anything for you. I don’t exactly remember what game I played, but I won that fox. The way you lit up when you saw it was like a bright star shining on the brightest night. After that, you always slept with it. It’d go camping, or to sleepovers at my house.”
“Can…can we go camping sometime?” Would it still be enjoyable? Would I have to be in my own tent, because if so, then I’d take the question back in a heartbeat.
“Sure. We could try it out in the backyard first. That way, if you don’t enjoy it, we can just come back inside and sleep in a comfy bed instead of having to pack everything up and drive a couple of hours.”
“Okay.” I liked that idea.
Of course, it was then that a yawn forced its way up.
“Tired, Honeybee?”
“No.”Yes,but there was no way I wanted to go to bed just yet.
What if it broke the bubble and tomorrow in the sunlight things weren’t the same anymore? What if Evander decidedovernight that he didn’t want me anymore, just because he remembered I was used and broken? What if-
“Kasey? Breathe, sweetheart.”
Right. I had to breathe.
I took a gasping breath, feeling the air pinch and stuttering in my lungs. Then I took another. And another.
“Good boy. So good for me. Keep breathing. I’m not going anywhere.”
“But…. what…. if…. you don’t…want me?” I gasped out, tears spilling once again.
“Never. I wanted you the first moment I held you in my arms. I want you right now. And I’ll want you forever. Nothing will ever change my mind. No matter what your past carries, no matter what type of person you become. I willalwayswant you. You’re my Kasey, my Honeybee, my rock, and my soul. Life isn’t worth living unless you are in it by my side.”
“Pr-promise?” I sniffed.
“Promise.”
I moved to crawl into his lap. There, with his arms wrapped around me, the world hidden from view, I finally felt what I thought may be the start of whathometruly was like.
A place that was mine. A place that I could be whatever I wanted,whoeverI wanted to be.
Home.
With my heart and soul with my best friend I was sure I’d never get to see it again.
Home.
Surrounded by family that would love me just as I am.
Home.
My Evy was myhome. And nothing would ever break us apart.
“Evy?” I whispered, losing the fight with my eyes to stay open. It had been a long day on top of a sleepless night.
“Yeah, my Honeybee?”
