Secrets

Killian

Snow fell in earnest beyond the windows, gray light spilling through the curtains. I glanced at the clock on the bedside table, taking stock of the time. It wasn’t even six yet. Sera slept snuggled in my arms, her cheek resting on my chest. I ran my knuckles down her arm over and over, lost in random, fleeting thoughts until my fingers grazed her bandage. I stilled my hand.

Why was I doing this to her? Better yet, to myself? I knew it was wrong to string her along, acting like whatever we’d built between us could last and turn into something more.

I’d never let the thought of getting married and starting a family cross my mind. I’d never allowed myself to fall in love. I’d never been in love against my will.

But here I was.

Love. Sometimes it felt worse than death, if I was being honest. The crushing anxiety that came along with it felt like a sharpened blade in my side as I tried to go along with my business on any given day. Every decision I made would affect her. Every step