Page 14 of Save Me

There’s a huff from inside.

“I’m sorry, bud, I know.”

He’s silent. Because of course he is. His dad disappeared, and a strange man is humiliating him in front of the world. Life isn’t fair. But Micah is the boss, so if he says Princess takes a walk, then walk we will.

Micah talked a lot. Like, a lot. He has the energy of a goddamn puppy, super excited, super energetic. Fairly certain he’s sent me more emojis than I’ve ever seen. I didn’t even know there was more than one color heart, let alone like six. I’m trying not to read into it. Maybe he’s always like this. Flamboyant.

Thank fuck he talks, though. It’s been fairly easy to lie my way through this, and fuck, the pay is good.

Stifling a yawn, I turn the stroller around. “Your carriage is being directed across the street, buddy, so you can look at these neighbors now.” It’s slightly chilly now that the sun has gone down, and I’m glad I grabbed my hoodie.

In the silence, my mind wanders like it always does. Then, there’s a crack of noise across the street. I jump, my heart racing, immediately scanning for the source of the sound.

It’s a neighbor shutting their trash lid.

Fuck. I suck in a breath, but that black cloud that follows me is back.

I just have to keep my mind busy. I push the stroller faster. Maybe when we get back, Princess will want to chill, and I can numb my mind on socials to pretend like the cloud doesn’t exist.

Only, it does. As soon as we’re back and I get Princess all unclipped, I pad to the living room and look for the remote. When I see it, I freeze. It’s a black remote with a little red power button and a long, skinny shape. It’s the same one that he had.

Suddenly, that storm that’s been chasing me is wrapping my mind in chaos. This isn’t safe. Nothing is safe! Why the hell am I in another man’s house getting all comfortable as if it won’t happen all over again?

My gut churns, noises fade, and I bite the inside of my lip, relishing the pain that keeps me grounded. Keeps me here, in this townhouse, not the old apartment. I’m not there anymore. Is it hot? Why is it so hot? I rip my hoodie off, but that’s not enough.

“Honey, I’m home!”

I jump straight up, whirling around to see Micah coming in the front door. He flashes me a smile, then crouches down to greet Princess.

I feel like I’m going to throw up. I suck in a few deep breaths, the nausea followed quickly by anger. What the fuck is wrong with me?

“How was he?”

I pull in a breath and plaster on a smile. “Great.”

“Great? I don’t believe it.” Micah fluffs Princess’ fur. “Have you already buttered him up so he lies for you?”

I check my pocket for my keys. Not only do I feel sick, but I see Mr. Parker at the ass crack of dawn, and I just know I’m going to be exhausted, that is, if I can sleep.

“Did you know Princess usually hates men?” Micah does a hop step around the skunk. “Ah, fiddlesticks, I forgot the food.” He freezes, and an odd silence fills the room.

“Oh.” I’m not good at filling silences. “Well, he’s good with me.” I cringe. “I mean, he doesn’t seem afraid.”

Micah snaps his head up, and his eyes look…scared. Immediately, I glance behind me. What does he see?

Micah chuckles and rubs the back of his neck. “Sorry! Long day at work. Uh, yeah, he seems really good with you, actually. There was a time he attacked one of my exes.”

I can’t figure out why Micah’s acting the way he is. He’s almost acting freaked out by something, although he’s smiling and acting all cheerful. Either way, it makes goosebumps prickle on my skin. I need to go home. I’m probably just overtired.

I creep toward the door, but Micah doesn’t stop talking. “I wasn’t in the room, but I heard him yell, and when I came down, he was bleeding on the floor.”

I acknowledge the pronoun. He. So Micah does like men. And then I register the bleeding.

“Had to take my ex to get stitches.” Micah rubs the back of his neck, and I hate the way I notice how it makes his forearm flex under those dark tattoos. “Princess hates socks. Always has, always will.”

I can’t help but feel relieved that it wasn’t Princess getting hurt in that story. Quietly, I grab the keys from my pocket.

“Can always count on him to have my back, though. Not many you can say that about.” Micah gets a faraway look in his eye.