Page 66 of Forever Mine
“Why am I freaking out now? I didn’t in Charleston. What’s wrong with me?”
I read up on PTSD after Liz mentioned the therapist she was seeing in Seattle diagnosed her with it. It can develop weeks or years after experiencing a traumatic event, and any type of stressor can be a trigger. Elijah is describing some of the classic signs, but I’m not a doctor or a psychiatrist.
First things first. I need to take care of him. Whatever he needs. In the morning, we can figure out the rest.
I kiss the top of his head. “No matter what, we’ll get through it. Together.”
He nods, a small, fragile motion, but it’s enough.
“Take me home,” he says.
“I’ll get Ry to call Ash and?—”
Elijah shakes his head. “Not the dorms. Home. With you.”
Home.
Elijah is my home.
I help him to his feet and kiss him. “I love you.”
I’m relieved when I see color blossom across his cheeks, replacing the chalky gray from earlier.
He drops his head to my chest and releases a mirthless chuckle. “I really don’t like this bathroom.”
Chapter Nineteen
JULIEN
Stirringthe sugar-cocoa-butter mixture for the homemade hot chocolate, I set the burner to low heat and allow things to bubble before pouring in the milk.
Jay comes to my side and peers into the pan. “Making enough to share?”
“No.”
He’s ignored me all week, and I’m not in the mood to pretend that he hasn’t acted like an asshole.
He bumps my hip. “Ry told me what happened. I wanted to check on E… and on you. Is he asleep?”
I set the wooden spoon on a paper towel. “I drew him a bubble bath to relax in, then came in here to make his favorite hot cocoa.”
“Can I help?”
And just like that, my irritation with him evaporates when I hear his concern.
“Grab the vanilla extract.”
Jay opens the upper cabinet where we keep all the spices.
“Normal or extra vanilla-y?”
“Elijah likes it vanilla-y,” I reply.
Jay measures out one teaspoon. He and I would make this every Christmas Eve. It was tradition.
“Marshmallows?” he asks.
“If we still have them.” I think we have half a bag. If not, I can go pick some up from the grocery store.
