Page 81 of Collins
Standing there, waiting for me, worry written all over her face, eyes searching me the second I step out of the truck.
Everything in me softens.
I shut the door and move toward her without hesitation, a small, tired smile pulling at my lips. There’s too much insideme to sort through, too many emotions tangled together. The second I reach her though, none of it matters.
I pull her into me.
Tight.
My face presses into her hair as I breathe her in, the comforting scent of her easing me instantly. She melts against me, and for a second, the world feels quiet.
Over her shoulder, I catch sight of Lou lingering nearby, watching carefully.
“What happened?” Johnnie’s voice is strained, breathless. “God, Collins, I’ve been a nervous wreck.”
I keep her close, my hand moving slowly up and down her back, trying to soothe the panic I know I caused. The last thing I ever wanted was to put that fear in her.
Reluctantly, I ease back, just enough to look at her.
“Everything’s okay,” I say. “I’m sorry I scared you. It’s all okay now, though.”
My fingers lift, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, needing the contact. Needing her.
“Did you see Lee?”
“No,” I say softly. “I didn’t.”
Something flickers across her face, relief and confusion tangled together.
“Tell me what happened,” she presses, her voice trembling. “Where did you go? What were you doing? Jesus, Collins…I thought you were going to kill him.”
A humorless smirk tugs at my mouth.
She’s not wrong.
A quiet breath leaves me as I lean back against the truck, my eyes never leaving her. “That was definitely a thought…”
I shake my head slightly.
“But it’s kind of hard to do…” I pause, watching the shift in her expression, the way her breath catches. “When he’s already dead.”
Her eyes widen.
Behind her, I hear Lou gasp.
Johnnie’s lips part, but no words come out at first. She looks around like she’s trying to steady herself, like the ground beneath her just shifted.
“Lee is dead?” she whispers.
Tears fill her eyes, but they’re different now. Not as heavy. Not as hopeless. There’s something else there.
Relief.I know the feeling.
“What happened?” she asks, voice breaking. “Tell me everything.”
“I will,” I say gently, stepping forward again, my hand finding her arm. “I’ll tell you everything. But right now…the only thing that matters is that he’s gone. He’s not in our world anymore.”
Thank god.
