Page 12 of Unmarked Magic

A muscle ticked in Reid’s jaw; his stare fixed on the blaze in front of us. I imagined everything he owned was in that apartment, leaving him with only the clothes on his back. The thought brought tears to my eyes. I blinked them away.

Reid didn’t move. Didn’t curse again.

It was then I knew how badly this had shaken him.

Walking up beside him, I rested my hand on his forearm. “Come with me.”

His eyes finally found mine.

“You can stay at my place until…” Until what? What the hell was I supposed to say? Until he found somewhere to live? That could be weeks, months, if they couldn’t save his apartment.

“There’s a room at my place. Jade moved out.”

He continued to stare at the flames rising above the building in front of us in silence. It was frightening to watch fire take hold of something and render it useless in mere seconds. Diminishing its worth in a heartbeat.

Reid turned to me, grasping the nape of his neck with one hand, his cinnamon eyes in exile. A man ripped from his home. Walking back over to the passenger side of his wagon, he opened the door and got inside.

I followed, taking off my boots again before starting the engine. His eyes fell to them at his feet, but he didn’t comment.

Slumping into the seat, he remained that way as he stared out of the window. Silence filled the confines of the car. Nothing I could say would make this any easier.

When I pulled into my driveway, he didn’t move, staring ahead of him. I leaned across him to grab my boots and pulled them onto my feet.

When he finally turned to me, his hollow voice came out void of emotion. “Jade’s internship?”

I nodded. “Up with the wolves for a year,” I answered. I didn’t know the finer details, but she didn’t seem to be worried about spending the next year living in close quarters with the local wolf pack.

Reid didn’t question it.

I palmed his shoulder, giving it a squeeze. “Come inside. Let’s get you settled.”

A nod, then he exited the car.

Inside, I gave him the quick tour downstairs before heading to the second level. “That’s Skye’s room.” I continued down the hall, feeling his presence behind me. “Bathroom.” I motioned to an open door. I gestured to another. “My room, and that’s yours.” I moved to the now-vacant room beside mine, motioning him inside.

“I’m sure we can find you some furniture to make do until you get yourself sorted. As long as you’re ok with the couch tonight?”

His gaze swung around the room.

I’d never stood this close to him before. He was the same height as me, thanks to my boots.

Running a hand through the stubble that edged his jaw, his blank stare made my heart ache. “I’m fine on the couch,” he mumbled. His hands slid into his pockets.

We headed back downstairs, his footsteps trailing behind me. “I’ll get you some bedding,” I said, grabbing a comforter and pillow from the laundry cupboard. “Here.” I sat it on the couch. “Help yourself to anything you need. There’s another half-bath down there, but the only bathroom is upstairs. Skye has her own ensuite.”

He sat on the couch, elbows on his knees. “Thanks, sorry I’m just…” He trailed off, seemingly not able to find words.

Understandable.

Taking off his cap, he set it on the couch before fisting his hair. “I need to ring Morgan. Let her know what’s going on.”

I nodded. “Absolutely. Rest up. Let’s tackle what happens from here tomorrow.”

I left him digging his phone from his pocket and I made my way back up the stairs. After washing my face, I pulled on my PJs, then climbed into bed. I’d never seen Reid like this before. He let no one see him when he was down. Usually, he was the feel-good guy who always made you smile, even on a shitty day. To see him with the wind out of his sails was devastating.

I stared at the ceiling, listening to muffled conversation downstairs as he spoke to Morgan. I couldn’t make out words, but his tone said enough. I recalled the evening’s events, in shock, almost.

The fire. The bar.