I guide her into the bedroom.
Make her sit on the bed.
Remove her shoes, then mine, and then I lie down, pulling her into my arms.
She is reluctant at first.
Then, sobs follow.
I caress through her hair.
And I just hold her.
Without a word passing between us.
Her sobs die.
Her breathing calms.
And so does mine.
19
AVERY
PLAYLIST: TRUST – SOPHIE LOWE
When I open my eyes, bright sunlight streams in, warming my skin even through the window.
I let my head fall to the side.
Shaw lies next to me on her side, still peacefully asleep, one hand still on my chest
She held me.
A stitch in my chest.
I feel so horrible about everything.
And yet, I am here.
I look at her for another moment, then I get up. I roll away carefully from underneath her and go find a bathroom.
On my way there, my eyes fall onto the living room with the horrible scent of whiskey swamping over me.
Another stitch in my chest.
The last time I drowned my feelings in whiskey was after?—
So many emotions.
I see her service weapon lying on the sideboard.
I walk over to it.
She trusted me enough to leave it there.
After all the lying and deflecting, she trusted me with it.
