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As if presenting is contagious,she thinks to herself.
“I can still come over. I can make mom’s soup, and I won’t get too close.”
Audrey ignores the pain in her chest. Any time Mindy brings their mom up, there’s a tiny stab to her heart, and then that emotion goes directly into her box offeelings we don’t address.
But Julian keeps poking at that box just by existing, and soon, the box is going to break.
Which is why she needs to get away.
“No, it’s fine, Mindy. I promise.”
There’s silence on the other end of the line until Mindy sighs. “I’m sorry about the other week. I’m sorry I called it mom’s house, I shouldn’t have. It was a low blow, and I was just frustrated.”
“It’s fine. I know you didn’t mean to,” Audrey says gently, ignoring the lump in her throat.
“I love you, you know that, right? You can tell me if something else is going on,” Mindy continues. “I just…I have this weird feeling that something’s not right. Especially with all the Alpha stuff and what happened at your job; I don’t think you should be alone right now.”
For a moment, Audrey considers telling her the truth. But she’s not sure if Mindy would insist she go to the police or to the hospital…
And what would Julian do? She doesn’t want him anywhere near her sister.
This is her own battle. Mindy doesn’t need to save the day.
“I promise you, I’m fine. I don’t mind being alone.”
Liar!her inner voice screams. She paces around her bedroom, worried that Mindy will push for more information, but she doesn’t.
“Alright just…I’m here for you, you know that, right?” Mindy says gently. “Please tell me you know that.”
A tear trails down Audrey’s cheek, but she’s careful not to let her voice waver. “I know. But I’m going to go rest now. Thanks for checking in.”
“Love you, Audrey.”
Her chest burns.
“You too.”
She hangs up and notices a text from a number she doesn’t recognize.
Don’t forget to eat. You shouldn’t take suppressants on an empty stomach.
She grimaces at the text and blocks the number.
He can try to play the caring boyfriend all he wants, but that doesn’t change what happened.
He’snother boyfriend.
Right?
“Oh, God,” she groans, running a hand through her hair. She gnaws at a thumbnail, a habit she thought she broke years ago.
Pearl chirps and hops up on her dresser, and Audrey pets her, listening to the cat’s purr to calm herself.
“It’s not safe for us here,” she whispers to the cat. “We have to get out of here, at least for a little while. I know you like him, but he’s a terrible person.”
Saying it out loud feels wrong, though.
He brought her medication and materials for a nest at an enormous cost.
