Page 64 of Collins
“I’m just scared of losing you,” I admit quietly. “We just got all this back…and it’s driving me crazy thinking there’s something out there bad enough to tear us apart again.” I swallow hard. “Please…just tell me before it swallows us both whole.”
She slowly pushes herself upright, gathering the sheets to her chest like armor.
I reach down beside the bed and grab the T-shirt I discarded on the floor the night before, holding it out to her.
She takes it without a word, pulling it over her head, she buries her face briefly in the collar.
“It smells like you,” she murmurs.
The quiet confession makes my chest ache.
She runs her fingers through her tangled hair, then tucks her legs beneath her, stretching the oversized shirt down over her knees. After a moment, she clears her throat.
“Do you remember that night we sat on your tailgate, sharing beers?”
Of course I remember.
How could I not?
It was the last time I saw her that summer.
The last night before everything fell apart.
I don’t answer. I just stare at her, because we both know I remember.
“That was a really bad night, Collins.”
Confusion must be written all over my face as I search my memory, trying to piece together what she’s getting at.
“What happened?”
She lifts both hands to her face, breathing deeply through them. The sight of it makes my heart lurch painfully in my chest.
Whatever she’s remembering…it’s tearing her apart all over again.
My mind scrambles for something to say, anything that might make this easier. But, the words refuse to come.
“Johnnie?”
Slowly, she lowers her hands. Her eyes are red.
I feel like I can’t breathe.
“Tell me.”
CHAPTER 35
johnnie
THEN
Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
The sound slips into my dreams first, soft and distant. My heavy eyes flutter open, lashes sticking together as I squint into the dim room, trying to piece together where I am.
