“You’re alright,” I whisper, my throat tightening. “I’ve got you.”
But my voice breaks on the words. Because for the first time in years . . .
I don’t.
CHAPTER TWELVE
WYNTER
The days blur into one.
It’s been four since I found Anika.
Four days of silence. Of empty rooms. Of Ray barely looking at me, let alone speaking. He leaves early, returns late, and when he does come back, he shuts himself away like the rest of us don’t exist.
Catherine came to help, but even she can’t reach him.
It’s just before three in the morning when my phone rings. I fumble along the bedside cabinet until my hand rests on my phone. I glance at the screen keeping one eye closed. It’s Holly. I answer.
“It’s Ray,” she says before I can speak. “You might want to come down. Dale asked me to call you.”
My stomach twists. I don’t know what good I’ll be. He can’t even stand to look at me lately, but I’m already moving.
I pull on my dressing gown and head downstairs, my heart pounding harder with every step.
The casino is quieter than usual, the low hum of voices and clinking glasses echoing through the near-empty space.
I spot Holly at the bar. She gives me an awkward shrug and tilts her head towards Ray.
My breath catches.
He’s draped over a woman I’ve never seen before, his arm slung loosely around her shoulders, his head dipped too close to hers. And they’re laughing together, like nothing happened.
Dale steps up beside me, his eyes going to where Ray is.
“He’s been at it for hours,” he mutters. “I didn’t want him walking into the apartment with her and you finding out like that.”
I turn on him sharply. “So, you thought I’d prefer to see it here?”
His jaw tightens. “I thought you should know.”
“Know what?” I snap. “That he’s moved on already?”
“He’s a mess,” Dale says quietly. “And you haven’t been together long.” I tense, and he pauses, wincing slightly. “I just thought . . .” He hesitates, then exhales. “I like you, Wynter. I think you would’ve been good for him. But right now,” he glances towards Ray, “he’s making it pretty clear he wants you gone.”
The air leaves my lungs.
Gone.
“Is that what he said?”
Dale shrugs. “Isn’t it obvious?”
My arms wrap around myself instinctively, like I can hold everything together long enough to stay upright. If I leave, I have nowhere else to go. Except home.
“Hey,” Ray’s voice cuts through everything. He stumbles towards me, unsteady on his feet, dragging the woman with him. “There she is,” he slurs, grinning like this is all some kind of joke.
I stare, not moving as he closes the distance.
