Page 77 of Never Till Now

I glance her way and nod.

“What happened?” Max asks and Kelsie shoves him.

“You can’t expect her to answer that right now, you moron,” she replies with an eye roll.

“It’s fine. He’s just worried.” I give a half-hearted smile to Max and lean into Adam’s chest.

I give them a very brief recap of how I spent the last few hours of work and how proud I am that Ava was a warrior through the entire process. I’ll be able to sleep knowing she’s no longer near that family.

“Shit, if anyone ever came near Mallory, I’d rip their dick off.” Max fumes as his fists tighten. “Do you think she’ll be okay? I imagine you can’t erase that sort of memory.”

“No, you don’t.” My stomach turns again and I forget how to swallow. “It happens to kids a lot more than people think.”

I zone into a poster on the wall and my lungs constrict. Its blue hue takes me back to a familiar one I spent countless mornings staring at. I’m brought back to an old bedroom, staring at a poster, clenching the stuffed bear's leg through my teeth while Stuart slaked his need. My temples ache as my teeth clench down harder. Instinctively, my hand goes up to my shoulder, rubbing at the haunting pair of lips. The air around me is stifling and the ripping of my nails against my skin isn’t erasing his lips.

A firm grip on my chin pulls my head away from the poster. “Lauren.” Adam’s deep voice rings through my ears. “Lauren, he’s in jail. You’re safe now.” He snaps his fingers but no matter how much I try to inhale, it’s not enough. “Do you smell the pool chlorine? It’s pretty strong.”

I flinch, pushing my shoulders back and arch into him as cool water trickles down my back. “Do you feel the water?” I nod, centering my vision and mind on the man in front of me.

“What can you feel?” he asks.

My hands brush down his chest as my fingertips bump over each ab crevice like an attempt to read brail. “Jeez, your abs are unreal.” I feel a smile tug at my lips, enabling me to take a slow breath in. “I’m okay.”

“You’re okay. You’re in the gym with us.” Adam rubs my back.

I’m in the gym.

I step out of his hold as my cheeks heat with embarrassment. I just vomited and had a breakdown in front of his best friend and sister. God, they’re going to think I’m crazy. With reluctance, I turn toward them. Their eyes hold a damn good guess as to the cause of my panic attack. I don’t have to explain anything out loud. Kelsie wears a sympathetic smile as Max’s face is even redder and his fists remain clenched. His blue eyes are full of rage as opposed to his brooding, cool self. Pissed would be an understatement.

“I’m here if you ever want to talk.” Kelsie blinks back a tear and takes Max’s hand. “We’re going to let you two carry on with your night.”

Max walks down the hallway and punches the wall, hurting himself more than the cement. Kelsie rests her head against his arm and turns back to us with a faint smile before disappearing around the corner.

“Please stay with me tonight.” My voice strains.

“Like hell I was going to leave you alone.” He kisses the top of my head and picks up my bag. “Let’s get you some ice cream and a hot bath.”

“We don’t have a bathtub.” I laugh.

“Oh, my private rooftop has a hot tub,” he slowly announces, as if he forgot he owned it. “That should do, right?”

“I guess it shall suffice.” I nudge him with a sassy smirk.

Chapter 22

Lauren

“Ugh, just vanquish him already.” I toss the blanket aside and close the lid on an empty ice cream tub.

“I thought you said he was a pretty hot demon?” Adam chuckles and the alarm on his phone goes off.

“No, it can’t be time for you to go to work already.” I turn the episode of Charmed off and feel ridiculous for pouting. “I mean, go make that money so you can keep buying me ice cream.”

“Are you sure you’re okay if I head to work?” Adam leans over, pressing a soft kiss to my temple before holding my gaze.

I took my therapist’s advice to acknowledge the pain but do the things that take care of me. I’ve been learning it is okay to feel sad, to hurt, and let others help you when you feel the weight of the world. So, Adam and I spent most of the night watching Charmed and rolling around the sheets between episodes. Adam has been nothing short of helpful when it comes to dealing with my emotions. And, Lord, can he ever take my mind off the things I need him to.

“You’ve been by my side since the gym last night.” I smile, accepting the feeling of happiness he brings me. “I have a therapy session in a few hours anyway.” I stand up, stretching my arms above my head, catching his eyes drifting to the bite mark I know he left on my hip. “Thanks for the branding.” I wink.