The sheer size of this house is intimidating. Mason could be hiding anywhere in here, and we would never know it. Not until he jumps out and—
The ceiling creaks above us just as my phone starts to ring. I spring into the air like LeBron James going for a dunk, clinging to Cullen like my life depends on it. He reaches behind him, locking his hand around my wrist, trying to calm me.
Fuck, this place isn’t good for my overworked brain.
My phone continues to wail in the dead silence of the house. I scramble to get it from my pocket to see that my mom is calling. I shoot her a text telling her I’ll call her back asap, and that I’m okay.
My parents are keeping an annoyingly close eye on me lately, and as much as I hate it, I understand why. I’m basically considered a liability now. I’m supposed to check in every hour, and even though Dad reminded me before Cull and I left for our date, wandering through Frankenstein’s castle made me completely forget.
“Cull, let’s get out of here. I don’t know what you expected to find, but I currently have the desire to live, and this house is giving off serial killer vibes.”
He doesn’t say anything. Just shoots me an irritated look before dragging me out the front door and back to his Chevy.
We sink into our seats, the truck idling on the curb.
“Hud, I really wish you’d stop with the dying jokes.” He’s on edge, I can tell. Hell, I am too after that not-so-fun house we just walked through. “They aren’t funny. They just remind me of how close you came to actually dying.”
“Sorry. My therapist says it’s a coping mechanism.” I’m not really all that sorry. I’m doing whatever it takes to heal, dark humor be damned. “Can we get out of here? I don’t know what you hoped to achieve by going in there, but it was stupid.”
Cull sighs. “I had a gun. I could’ve handled anything that came at us.”
Arguing isn't going to solve anything, so I drop it. “Let’s go home.”
He nods his agreement and slowly pulls us away from the curb, but not before I catch a dark shadow slipping away from one of the upstairs windows.
Chapter ten
Hudson
It’s been two weeks since I was released from the hospital, and some days are still a battle. I have to admit that my dark thoughts aren’t as intense as before, thanks to therapy and the new medication Cull’s dad put me on. Things feel more like a dull whisper instead of the perpetual screaming that I’d grown used to.
When things become too heavy, I call my therapist, Maria. Currently, I see her three times a week, but she’s made herself available whenever I need extra support. She’s been a godsend, if I’m being honest. She listens without judgment, not offering empty promises, but actual ways to fight my demons. Ironically, it’s been easier spilling my darkest thoughts to a total stranger than it ever was to the people closest to me.
I wish I had listened to my parents and Dr. Anderson the many times they suggested it. I could’ve saved myself and them so much grief if I’d realized how badly I needed the help instead of letting myself keep falling.
But that’s in the past. All that matters now is I’m trying.
One good thing is my sling is finally gone. My shoulder is getting better, but there is still a lingering ache deep in the tissue, and extending it too far hurts like hell. I have physical therapy once a week until they think I’m good enough to do the exercises at home. I’m working hard to get to that place sooner rather than later.
I’m over all the doctor's appointments.
There's a knock on my door, so I glance over from my desk where I've been trying to make plans for college, since going to Ashbridge still doesn't look like an option.
“Come in,” I call just as the door pushes open. Hadley pokes her head in, bottom lip caught between her teeth. I motion her inside, and she walks over to sit on my bed.
“What’s up?” I ask, noting the small tremor in her hands.
Things are still a little weird between us, even though we’ve both accepted apologies from each other. Hurt lingers on both sides, with the things she said still echoing in my mind sometimes. I’m trying hard to truly forgive her, and I know she’s doing her best to move on.
“What are you doing?” she asks, her voice shaky.
“Just looking through the community college course catalogue. Trying to make plans for this fall since things with Heather and the charges are still up in the air.”
She nods but keeps fidgeting with her fingers.
“Hads, what’s going on?”
She blows out a heavy breath and tightens her ponytail, her knee bouncing. “Heather is kind of what I wanted to talk about.”
