44

She went over to the couch and found a spot between two oversize pillows. Her head nuzzled into one, her feet resting across the other, and the blanket covered her to where I could only see her hair.

Go to fucking bed, Ford.

I listened to the voice inside me and went over to where the switches were located, turning off the lights. The only ones I kept on were the pendants in the kitchen. I dimmed those, so if she got up, the glow would be enough that she wouldn’t run into anything.

When I reached the hallway to my bedroom, I didn’t say good night to her. I didn’t even pause. I just instantly closed the door behind me, my back resting against the wood the moment it was shut.

I filled my lungs and released a long, deep exhale.

When I tried to move, to walk down the hallway toward my bed, my feet wouldn’t lift. My hands wouldn’t release the door.

So, I slid down the flatness until my ass hit the hardwood beneath me.

And that was where I stayed.

Twelve

Sydney

I

sat on the side of Everly’