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Or worse…that she’ll take that love away and never give it back

When we get to Devon’s cabin, I leave her to her exploring She retreats to one of the back bedrooive her that play, knowing that she’s processingis stocked and we’ll be set for the unforeseeable future When that’s done, I’ left to do The television holds no appeal I call and check in with Axel then settle on the couch Knowing that I have some tihs I need to get e than necessary tofeeeks and I’ve felt like this was coets too irritated forthe skin the rest it needs and, soht off it for a while does the trick but never fixes the issue

I’ve come to live with this part of my future I hate everywith your leg?"

Her question startles me I was so lost ininto the roo"

"Is that how this is going to be now? Okay Why don’t I tell you what I think is wrong with your leg? I think thisfor you to snap the hell out of it and ad to help carry your fucking burdens"

I narrow my eyes and do my best to tell her to shut the hell up without words The feeling of helplessness, an e to say, Maddox? Not that I should be surprised"

"Emersyn, shut your mouth"

"No!" she screams "I will not shutboy? This poor little na&iuh the bullshit you put up as a shield I see through the anger you push on others to keep theth I see past it all The pain that is deep within you The shame, fear, and helplessness I see you!" She finishes, screa her words at me with sois accelerated "I see you," she whispers "All of you"

"You have no idea what you’re talking about" I dis, hoping she gives it up and goes back to the roo about I know because nizes its mate Its kindred spirit We both have our pain, Maddox We both have the shame of our past and the fear it holds on the future The only difference is you let that pain and fear rule your heart And the difference into risk it all day in and day out for just a second of your love"

She’s right I couldn’t have said it better , Maddox," she implores

I can tell by her tone that she knows I have no idea how since I’ve been very careful over the years to keep uys

"How do you know?" I sigh

"Tell Me What is wrong, Maddox" She lifts her arms and plants her hands on her hips Her stance is screaive this up until she gets whatever she is after

"Stop pressing this, Eh to shake the s in their fra, Mad?!" she yells back, just as pissed withthis up

"Fuck!" I shout I don’t takedown, and re her see er With my prosthetic in my hand, I toss it in her direction and hold her eyes as it lands right next to her feet "Is that what you wanted, Emersyn? You want to see just how broken I a head is a mess You want to see just how badly lare--both unwilling to be the first one to break The rage bubbling insidetoo much to bear With a roar, I lean forward and flip the coffee table over The books, so perfectly placed on its surface, go flying, and right before the table crashes with a loud booh the still cabin, I lose my balance The force I used to push forward on the couch and the ht behind it to the floor

She doesn’t even flinch Her stance doesn’t change and her ice-cold fury never leaves its hold on rinds out "Does it feel better to throw things and act like a child? Maybe while you’re down there, you can kick and screa me for a toy before we leave the store next time? Hmm?"

"Shut up, Emersyn" My weak voice lacks conviction as I let the huto shut up! How can you be so foolish? You want to kno long I’ve known you’re an amputee? Three years For three years, I’ve known, and even through it all, I never let it change how I saw you I never told anyone because that isn’t my place, but I’ll tell you this much, Maddox Your pride is misplaced in this situation I don’t look at you and see so like a s ho you’ve overcome and continue to overcome I see you as perfect, and in my eyes, this makes you honorable, brave, and heroic It doesn’t lessen you as a person It’s just another one of the things I’ve loved about you since the very beginning"

She leavescarelessly a few feet ahere I threw it in the middle of my tantrum

The shock of her words hits my system and my breath stills in my throat The power behind each word she just put out there smacks into my chest and shakes me to my very core