Page 41 of Demon On Deck

“I told him I love him too. And then I told him about Matt and the lawyer. He wanted to help. Just like I knew he would.”

My voice falters for a moment before I can continue.

“I couldn’t drag him into my mess. So I told him to go.”

And with that, the dam of sorrow truly, utterly, and completely breaks.

My body gives out as I collapse into my sister.

“Oh, Kallie,” I hear Mel say as she holds me tight while I fall to pieces.

Mel eventually gets me off the floor and into my bedroom. She runs me a hot shower, the water too hot, which is just the way I like it. The moment it touches my skin, the tears start all over again. The temperature reminds me of Evren’s natural heat. The heat that I melted into with every touch.

By the time I’m finished washing, I’m shattered.

When I step out, drained and trembling, Mel has my favorite pjs waiting for me. She gets me into bed, turns on our favorite TV series, orders Chinese food without asking, then climbs into bed with me.

I have several more breakdowns, gut-wrenching, ugly, soul-shattering sobs, and she holds me through them all, before exhaustion drags me into darkness that matches the gaping hole in my chest.

When I open my eyes the next morning, there’s a note next to my phone on my nightstand.

Sis- Had to go in to work. I’m a phone call away. I mean it, Kallie. One phone call. I’ll call later to check in and will see you after school. Love you. Mel

Tears prickle my eyes. My sister would move mountains, or bodies, for me. She is truly the best.

Today is supposed to be my late shift, but the thought of leaving the house is more daunting than trying to make a purse out of floral oasis and fresh flowers for a flower girl. I text Grey, saying I feel like I have a bug.

I mean, heartbreak is a physical illness, in my opinion.

He answers immediately, saying no problem, rest, and he’s available for extra shifts if I need him.

With work handled, I make a cup of coffee and crawl back into my bed to rot and wallow like a proper heartbroken heroine in one of my favorite romance novels.

“Kallie, I know you’re hurting, but you’ve got to pull yourself out of this—this—” My sister gestures wildly at both me and my house, looking equal parts exasperated and concerned. Possibly a little shocked.

I look around my living room and try to see things from her perspective. Take out containers, dirty dishes, pillows, and blankets stretch from the small dining nook through the kitchen and into the living room. And the bedroom, if I’m being honest. The only room not affected is the spare bedroom.

I haven’t left my house in a week. The first three days, I didn’t leave my bedroom. Mel was amazing, staying with me those first few nights and only leaving when I insisted I was fine and that she go home. Mel has her own life to live and doesn’t need to babysit her big sister, something she hadn’t even done when Matt and I got divorced.

I was not, in fact, fine. I was drowning in grief.

Rubbing at the ache in my chest, I lift a shoulder. “I need to tidy a bit.”

“Kallie Elane Brooks,” Mel snaps, making me cringe.

“Rude,” I grumble, readjusting my blanket shawl.

She blows out an irritated breath. “Not rude. Needed. Your house is wrecked, Kallie.”

“So am I,” I snap as my voice wobbles and tears gather in my eyes.

Mel’s face softens. “I know, honey. I’ve never been in love. Lust, for sure, but not love. I won’t pretend to know how you feel, because I’ve never been there.” She takes a breath, seeming to steady herself.

I take the moment to really look at my sister. Most people think we’re twins. We have the same curvy figure and petite stature. What sets us apart is our hair color. I’m copper, and she’s auburn. She’s beautiful, confident, mischievous, and funny.

But I can see the loneliness. She’s had relationships, but never anything serious. I know having a family is something she craves, because I do too. It’s been the two of us for so long, and we’d always daydream about these huge families we were going to have. I want that for her more than anything. Almost as much as I want that with Evren.

It takes effort, but I manage to choke back my tears at the thought of him.