Chapter 50 Ocean
OCEAN
The water ran heavy over my head, hot enough to feel like it was trying to wash away the weight pressing down on me. I let my eyes close, just trying to breathe.
Ol’ School. God, Ol’ School. I couldn’t get the image of him off my brain.
The way I found him, motionless on the ground, the blood, the bite marks…
his pulse faint, and that goddamn feeling of helplessness clutching at my chest. My stomach still turned thinking about it.
I’d been through some serious shit, handled my share of chaos, but this? This wasn’t something you prepared for.
I let the water pound my shoulders, trying to shake it off.
I’d gotten him to the ambulance. I’d tried to keep him alive.
But when I saw that pulse dip and fade, the reality slammed into me.
I wasn’t fast enough. And I felt it. Every ounce of my pride, every bit of my control, slipping through my fingers like sand.
I finally shut off the water and stepped out, muscles sore from tension, mind still spinning.
Skye was already in the kitchen when I strolled in, dressed in a simple white tee and joggers.
The smell hit me before I saw her. Bacon, eggs, pancakes…
orange juice. My stomach growled despite everything, and I realized I hadn’t even been able to eat since yesterday.
She was humming softly as she flipped a pancake, and I paused in the doorway for a moment, just watching her.
Hair pulled back, oversized hoodie hanging off her shoulders, tiny shorts barely peeking out.
She looked like she belonged in my condo, in my life.
She was taking care of me without me having to ask.
And man…she was beautiful. Every little movement, every soft hum, it hit me in a way that had nothing to do with breakfast.
“Morning,” I said quietly, finally moving forward.
She glanced up, giving me that small smile that melted my chest. “Glad to see you’re up and moving around,” she said, flipping the pancake onto a plate.
“Yeah,” I whispered, eyes on her as I walked closer, still shaking off the last bits of the morning’s haze. “You really didn’t have to do all this.”
“I know,” she said, sliding a plate toward me. “But I wanted to. You needed to eat.”
I took a seat at the table, but before I even picked up a fork, I reached over, tugging her to my lap without warning. She giggled softly, then wrapped her arms lightly around my neck.
“Thanks for staying up with me last night,” I said. “I don’t know what I would’ve done without you.”
She tilted her head to look at me, her eyes soft. “You don’t have to thank me, Ocean. You were in a lot of pain, and I wanted to be there for you.”
“I appreciate it, though. I appreciate you.” I swallowed hard, glancing down at the table. “And what I did at the club...if that upset you at all, I’m sorry.”
Skye cleared her throat, then gave me a gentle smile. “Now’s not the time to worry about that. Right now, you need to focus on you.”
“Are we good?” I asked, needing to hear it, needing her to tell me that despite the chaos, despite everything, we were okay.
“We’re good,” she said, leaning in closer, brushing her lips across mine in a soft, lingering kiss.
I let out a shaky laugh, the sound almost foreign. The way she moved closer, the warmth radiating from her, it anchored me. I rested my forehead against hers, letting the feeling soak in.
“I just can’t get it out of my head,” I said. “Finding Ol’ School like that…the shit keeps playing over and over. I feel like I should’ve done more, been faster...any fucking thing. I should’ve made sure those dogs—”
“Don’t do that,” she said. “Don’t blame yourself for what happened. That’s not fair to you. You can’t control everything, Ocean.”
Her words hit me, grounding me a little.
I leaned into her touch, resting my hands over hers, willing myself to believe it.
“You’re right,” I said, quietly. “I just hate that he still felt like he needed to go over there and feed them. I hate that he’s gone.
I hate that someone could be that careless with some fucking dogs. And I hate that I can’t undo it.”
“I know,” she whispered, kissing my temple. “I know you do.”
I let out a slow breath. “I’m handling the funeral arrangements. It’s in a few days. And his son? His bitch ass better not show up acting like he cared.”
Skye cleared her throat. “Hopefully, he won’t cause any problems.”
My phone buzzed on the table, and I glanced down.
It was my aunt.
Skye slid off my lap to grab her plate and sit across from me.
“Hey, Auntie,” I said.
“Ocean! I just heard. What the hell happened? Are you okay?”
I ran my hand down the back of my head, glancing at Skye as she started eating quietly. “I’m fine. But Ol’ School...he didn’t make it. The dogs across the street…” I let the words trail, not needing to go into all the details.
“Oh, baby…” Her voice softened. “I’m so sorry. I can’t even imagine what you’re going through right now.”
“It’s a tough pill to swallow,” I whispered, leaning back in my chair. “The police were called on the owners and the dogs are being put down.”
“Good,” she said, voice heavy with relief. “I just want to make sure you’re okay.”
“I’m fine. I’m just tired, Auntie.”
We talked for a few more minutes.
Finally, I ended the call.
I sat the phone down, and looked at Skye, who was halfway through her plate.
“You’re amazing, you know that?” I said, quietly.
She smiled, still eating. “And so are you.”