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We sit there in silence for a few moments, both of us lost in our own thoughts.
“Let’s not do this now,” I say. “Things are stressful enough. Let’s not talk about my dad.”
Paxton takes a swig of his rum and nods. “Fuck, it’s crazy out.” He leans forward with a serious look, and as he says the words, a loud crash of thunder echoes through the air.
“It sounds like we pissed off someone up there.” I point at the sky and then give a little laugh.
Paxton’s face breaks into a smile. “Knowing you, you probably did.” He smirks.
Another crash has my body jolting in place.
The storm rages outside, the rain pounding against the roof like giant fists. I can almost feel the air crackling with the electricity.
“It’s like it has a life of its own,” I say, gazing out the window as a flash of light illuminates the sky.
I turn to Paxton. “Think Teagan’s doing okay, stuck with her mother?”
Paxton takes another swig of his rum before answering. “Nope.”
“Great,” I huff. “Sure to be a pleasant day tomorrow.”
He looks out the window with a grim expression. “We’ll be fine.”
“Yeah, that was reassuring.” I roll my eyes. “Also easy for you to say; you have a roof over your bed.”
“And I already said you’ll stay with me. We’ll be safe here,” he replies.
I nod, not sure if I believe him but grateful all the same.
Despite its ferocity, I am strangely comforted by the storm. The darkness, the thunder, and the lightning all offer a kind of wild beauty I haven’t seen in a while.
“At least it’s something to look at,” I say as another streak of light flashes across the sky.
“Yeah,” Paxton agrees. “There’s that.”
Paxton comes to sit beside me on the bed. Suddenly, the room is too small, and I feel like I can’t breathe with him so close.
Paxton’s larger-than-life presence eats up all the oxygen, making me light-headed. Or maybe that’s the booze.
“Shit, I’m drunk.” I giggle.
He grins. “Are you now?”
“Yeah.” Another fit of laughs leaves my mouth.
“You know—” I start, and I cock my head. “If Stefan didn’t come over that night . . .”
I’m about to continue, but then the whole hut shakes, followed by a crash.
My whole body shudders, and before I know what’s happening, I’m being lifted into Paxton’s arms.
“What the h-hell was that?” My jaw rattles from nerves. The wind batters against the walls, and the roof sounds like it’s going to fall on top of us.
Tears stream down my face.
Usually, I don’t cry in front of someone, but I blame it on the booze because, as Paxton holds me, my nerves win out.
28
Paxton
@Stargossip: Welp, this is depressing.
@ZFleftBallSac: @Stargossip Any word? It’s been forever . . .
@Lexi_H: @Stargossip You’re going to leave us all hanging? We need info!
@IWannaMarryTeagan: What gives? Give us the dirt!
@Brad4life: @IwannaMarryTeagan I’m with you.
How the hell did we get to this point?
To this place where Mallory is encased in my arms, crying.
I feel helpless, which isn’t a position I find myself in often. She’s sobbing, and it’s no wonder why. Between the weather, her damaged hut, and the stress of everything happening on the island, my own shitty contribution, who wouldn’t?
Fuck, I’ve put her through hell and back. This whole damn movie has basically chewed her up and spit her out, and I played a major role in a lot of her stress.
Mallory’s sobs ring through the air, and the last remaining wall inside me crashes and burns.
This girl.
As her body shakes, the past few weeks flash before my eyes. All the bullshit sparring and barbs. The accusations and the condemnation about how she did her job. I’d pointed fingers and blamed her for Teagan’s actions.
That would be like someone telling me it’s my fault that Brad’s an egomaniac sleazeball.
What the hell was I thinking?
Never in my life have I felt like a bigger prick than I do at this moment. I don’t handle a woman crying well on a good day. This whole thing is nuts.
Despite her warranted reaction, I never expected her to come undone like this.
I guess between my antics and this shit show of an island, it seems the take-no-shit girl who showed up at my office fighting for the equal rights of her client is gone, replaced by a very drunk and sad girl.
And fuck is she drunk.
The smell of rum wafts off her.
Every time her small body jerks, it infiltrates my nostrils, making it feel like I’ve walked into a damn distillery.
There’s no question Mallory will feel the aftereffects of the booze and likely curse herself when she wakes up tomorrow.
Maybe she won’t remember this moment and will at least be spared her dignity.
It’s not like she’s embarrassing herself. It’s a small blip of her letting her walls down and showing that she’s human and can only handle so much.
