Page 149 of Angel

It yawed ajar, the lock falling apart as I burst through the entrance.

I caught sight of Roxy doubled in half, staggering down the hallway.

Following her into a bathroom, I dropped to the tile floor just as she reached the toilet bowl, sinking before it.

I gathered her close, holding her as her body convulsed and she lost her last meal.

When the spasms passed, I grabbed a washcloth, soaked it in warm water, and crouched beside her to help her clean up.

That’s when she turned to me and hit me with the coldest glare.

‘Now that you’ve seen me at my worst, get the hell out of here.’

‘Roxy -.’

‘Get the fuck out.’

She hissed the words at me, almost screaming with vehemence as she hunched over the toilet bowl.

A gut punch of twisted emotion hit me.

Then I cursed, rose, and backed out slowly, hands raised in surrender.

‘Go!’ she yelled when I paused at the door.

Shaking my head, I obeyed.

She was skittish as hell, and I sensed that if I didn’t honor her wishes, she’d spook and never let me close ever again.

I hit her hallway, heart-wrenching.

However, I slowed at the front door.

It swung ajar, its latches offside from my forced entry into her house.

‘Need to fix your door, babe. I’ll be back,’ I called out.

‘Fine, then disappear forever after that.’

I headed to the truck and pulled out tools from the rear toolbox.

Retrieving nails and a power screwdriver, I went to her door.

I fastened the loosened hinges and drove the tacks in.

I also fixed her mangled lock, but the bolt mechanism was shattered.

The door would close, but she’d no lock on it.

I’d pick one up for her in town tomorrow.

‘It’s repaired,’ I called out into the hallway when I was done.

There was no answer, so with an inhale, I eased the doorway shut.

I leaned my forehead on the cold brick next to the entrance jamb, closing my eyes, shuddering from being so close yet so far from her.

I paced the porch as the downpour petered away into a miserable drizzle.