Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 81040 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81040 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Every hour that passed, I silently cried and stared at the ceiling. I had heard Gage and Levi go to their rooms and close their doors hours ago. I kept my phone beside me, waiting on something from Huck. I hadn’t known my heart could hurt like this. But then I had never been in love. I should have known once he saw me at my worst, he’d change his mind. How could someone like me be a good mother? It was clear he wanted kids.
Tabitha was dead. That house was gone. But the horror that had marked me there didn’t leave. The things that had happened in those walls had left its imprint on my soul. It was cracked.
When the sunlight began to fill the room, I stood up and began to get ready. My body working on autopilot. Poor Huck. He’d had no idea when he started this with me how messed up I was. He didn’t want to face me with it. Tell me the truth about his feelings. I was naive to believe that sex meant more. I’d even started to think we had a bond that was stronger than my demons. My heart had been the liar, or maybe that was just me.
Once I was dressed and my bag was zipped up, I called the only person who might possibly help me.
I made the cinnamon rolls with extra icing, the way Gage liked them, and was sure to make extra biscuits with sausage gravy for Levi. Huck had never said that anything I made was his favorite, and I wasn’t sure if he had come home last night or not. But just in case, I made his usual choices. Gage walked into the kitchen as I was washing up the dirty pots and pans.
“My favorite way to wake up,” Gage said, but I didn’t turn to look at him. I was afraid I’d cry.
“Extra icing on the cinnamon rolls,” I replied as lightly as I could.
He groaned.
“Huck still asleep?” Gage asked, but I could hear the note of uncertainty in his voice. He was feeling me out. Trying to see what I knew. If Huck had contacted me.
“We both know Huck didn’t come back last night,” I replied.
The chime went off and I closed my eyes in relief. Maddy was here.
I could hear Gage’s chair legs as he pushed the chair back and stood up. He was checking the cameras to see who had just driven through the gate. I walked into the living room and picked up my bag. Gage was standing in the doorway, frowning at me when I turned around.
“You leaving us?” he asked, looking at my duffel bag. “That why Maddy is pulling up outside? Did Huck tell you to go?” His tone took on a hard edge. Like he was angry.
“He didn’t have to,” I replied. “And he shouldn’t have to.”
Gage took a step into the room. “What the fuck does that mean?”
I would not cry. I would not cry.
“It means that I heard you and Levi last night. I know about Huck and where he was.” I shrugged. “He’s had enough. You saw me the other night. I’m messed up, and that won’t ever go away. The things …” I stopped. There was no point in telling Gage this. “I’ve just got a lot of twisted shit in my head. Huck saw it, and he doesn’t want to hurt me.”
Gage ran a hand over his head. “Trinity, I swear to you, that is not what last night was. Something else is going on with him. It’s not you.”
The front doorbell rang, and I wanted to hug Gage. This was goodbye. I wished Levi were down here too. But it was time to go. Prolonging it would make it worse.
“Goodbye, Gage,” I said with a teary smile, then walked to the front door.
I heard his footsteps behind me, and I knew he was going to stop me. Maddy, however, was here, and she had said she understood. I opened the door, feeling as if my heart was going to shatter when I walked away from here.
Her gaze met mine, and she gave me a sad smile. “You sure?” she asked.
I nodded.
“Okay then.”
I stepped outside, but Gage was at the door, keeping me from closing it.
“You talked to Blaise before you came over here?” he asked, looking past me to Maddy.
She raised her eyebrows at his question. “I’m sorry, Gage, but when did I start answering to you?”
He crossed his arms over his chest. “If anyone knows what’s going on with Huck, it’s Blaise. I’m just asking if he knows Trinity is leaving.”
“He does. I don’t keep things from my husband. Besides, he tracks my every move. Remember?” she replied with an annoyed frown.
Gage muttered a curse. “Okay then.” Then, his gaze shifted back to me. “But you’re wrong. I swear to you that Huck hasn’t changed his mind about you because of that night. If anything, he’s only gotten more possessive and protective. When he finds out you’re gone, he’s going to lose his shit.”