In exactly.
The same.
Situation.
When she is done throwing up and tries to stand straight, she can’t. Her eyes are drooping, and so is her head. I wipe her mouth with my palm and wipe my palm on my shorts.
“Fuck, petal. What the fuck,” I snap, holding her in my arms as she leans onto my bare chest and slumps in my arms.
“I’m sorry,” she murmurs, her forehead pressing against my chest.
She is on a fast train to blackout.
I don’t want to be close to her. Or touch her. Like she is a disease—bad mojo that is contagious. Because something fucked up will happen again.
I am the victim, if you think about it. I got it the hard way. Ruined career. Lost friendships. Scars. Tattoos. Because one night I found myself exactly where I am now.
And what do I do?
The same thing as years ago.
“Come on, petal.”
I bring my arm under her knees, pick her up in my arms, and carry her toward her bungalow. I stumble in the dark, almost fall, curse, and carry on. Because despite how awful this shit is, the blondie with the luminous blue eyes, who is almost unconscious in my arms, is the most precious cargo I’ve ever carried. Never mind the consequences. Because the day I met her, my stupid ass heart decided that it would latch onto her and not let go.
And here were are.
Just my fucking luck.
Callie mumbles something, and her hands slide to my chest. They touch my scars.
My.
Fucking.
Scars.
I can’t stand it, and I grind my teeth.
I bring her to her empty room and lay her gently on one of the beds, then turn and walk out.
It feels like my life is going in circles.
I go to the chair where Guff sits on night guard.
“I’ll take your shift tonight,” I say.
Because there is no chance of me sleeping.
15
CALLIE
“Babe,where did you go last night?” Katura asks at breakfast.
“I got drunk,” I answer quietly so that no one hears. “Went to walk around and ran into Kai. He brought me back.”
“Sure.” Katura nods, digging into her grits with scrambled eggs.