The fear still lingers, but it’s quieter now, softened by his voice and the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath my ear.
For the first time in years, I let myself believe that maybe he’s right.
Maybe I really am safe.
“Mornin’,sunshine.”
My gaze moves toward the doorway, and I spot Reed, barefoot, with a tray in his hands.
There’s French toast, powdered sugar dusted over it, a side of strawberries, and an iced coffee packed with ice. He gives me a small smile that doesn’t quite reach his eyes.
“You brought me breakfast?” I whisper, my voice scratchy.
He nods. “Yeah, and I made it myself,” he says jokingly.
I almost smile, but it fades too quickly, my throat tightening. “I’m not really hungry.”
He places the tray on the nightstand, moving towards me cautiously before sitting gently on the edge of the bed.The mattress sinks under his weight, and the clink of the plate against the wood fills the quiet.
“I know,” he says softly. “But you need to eat, baby.”
The way he says ‘baby’ with his Southern drawl makes something in me ache.
“I just…” My voice trails off. “I can’t make myself move.”
He exhales slowly, nodding as if he understands, because he does. He’s never pushed me, not once.
“Alright,” he says after a moment. “Then we’ll do it together.”
He reaches out slowly, waiting until I nod, before his hand touches my arm. He helps me sit up, fixing the pillow behind my back.
“There we go,” he murmurs. “See? Not so bad.”
He adjusts his glasses, then cuts a piece of French toast into smaller bites, holding it out to me. “Just start with this.”
It’s ridiculous being fed like this, but I don’t stop him. I open my mouth and take a small bite.
“There you go,” he says, voice gentle but relieved. “You’re doin’ good, sunshine.”
My throat burns as I swallow. “You don’t have to take care of me like this.”
He gives a quiet chuckle, shaking his head. “Yeah, baby, I do.”
That’s what breaks me down. The tears come quickly, initially silent, then grow stronger until my breath catches.
“Hey, hey,” he whispers, setting the plate down and moving closer, but not too close. “Talk to me, baby.”
“I just—” I press a trembling hand over my face. “I need my girls. I need to tell them everything. I can’t hold it in anymore.”
He nods slowly, his eyes gentle. “Then we’ll call ‘em, alright?”
I nod, wiping at my eyes. “I don’t even know where to start.”
“Start wherever you need to. They love you. They’ll listen.”
He reaches out again, softly brushing his thumb across my cheek, catching a tear before it falls. “You don’t gotta do it alone anymore, sunshine.”
I nod again, a broken sound escaping my throat as I lean forward, just enough for my forehead to rest against his shoulder.
