Chapter 26 #2
“That’s nice of her.”
“You deserve it.”
I smile.
I squeeze his hand three times.
“I’m sorry I didn’t trust you.”
He draws soothing circles with his thumb.
“It’s okay. I won’t hold it against you, what happened in the house. Besides, you kind of made up for it when you turned into a final girl and took down the killer,” he points out.
Danny’s not entirely wrong. What happened in the house was horrible and nightmare-inducing, but I can count a few memories I would like to keep.
I hope he’s not wanting to walk away from me now that the adrenaline has run out.
Especially now that he knows the truth about what happened to me.
The secrets I had held on to, the grittiest and rawest parts of myself.
“Danny.” He cocks his head, waiting for me to continue. “What Aidan said about Brian . . .” My voice breaks, crushed by the weight of the lump in my throat.
Danny squeezes my hand, his eyes clouding.
“I’m so sorry, Mabel,” he says in a soft whisper. “I’m so sorry he did that to you.”
While the meds keep me from crying, I’ve never felt this raw and vulnerable before. An ache presses against my vocal cords, and I struggle to find the words to express myself. I can only sit in silence for a minute.
“You don’t have to say anything,” Danny continues, giving me a comforting look.
“It was your story to tell and it’s so unfair that Aidan felt like he had the right to use it against you.
They both took advantage of you in ways that I can’t truly imagine, and I’m very sorry.
You went through that alone and I wish I could’ve helped you more. ”
I shake my head.
“I didn’t want anyone to know,” I confess. “I just wanted to forget it ever happened.”
He frowns with concern.
“Mabel, have you talked to someone about this?” he asks in a gentle tone. “A professional, someone who can help you?”
I drop my gaze to my hands, biting the inside of my cheek.
“No,” I admit.
I hear him take a deep breath. “Is it something you would like?”
Would I? I spent so long trying to keep the memories locked in the back of my brain where they couldn’t reach or hurt me.
But it didn’t help. It just delayed my reaction, looking for coping mechanisms that prevented me from strengthening the relationships around me.
I never allowed myself to get the support that I need.
“I think so,” I mumble.
“Would you let me be there for you through that process and everything else?” The vulnerability and genuine concern in his voice make my chest tighten with emotion.
A tear slides down my face as I nod in response.
Carefully, Danny wipes it away, his eyes softening with adoration.
“You’re the bravest woman I’ve ever met, Mabel. And I’m so proud of you.”
My heart flutters at his compliment.
I love him so much it almost hurts.
“I’m certain I’m also the most stubborn woman you’ve met too.” I try to make a joke to lighten the mood.
Danny rolls his eyes, but he can’t hide the smile spreading across his lips.
“That too. Especially when you’re trying to sacrifice yourself in horrible circumstances,” he says, but there’s not an ounce of seriousness in his voice. He’s matching the humor in my tone.
I lick my lips.
“What about our love confession? Were those horrible circumstances?” I ask.
He leans in and kisses my forehead.
“As fucked-up as it sounds, those were the best moments of my life.”
Happiness pulses in my veins, and I would worry it’s caused by the IV line if it weren’t that Danny’s words make my insides tingly.
“I would agree with you, but let me tell you, these drugs are kicking your ass,” I joke.
Danny laughs and caresses my face with gentle fingers.
“You’re high as fuck.”
I nod, humming with contentment. The cloud that is my bed shifts as he scoots to get closer, resting his back next to me.
“Very.”
I turn my head to look at him and find him already staring back.
“Would it be weird if I said I’m madly in love with you now?” he questions.
I shake my head. “No, because I love you too,” I say, resting a hand on his neck to pull him in for a brief kiss. “Are we ready to begin a long-distance relationship?”
His brows almost touch his hairline.
“Long distance?”
“With me living in LA and you in New York?”
His thumb rubs the edge of my jaw.
“Baby, I’ve already spent a year away from you. I almost lost you,” he reminds me, his voice wavering for a second. “I’m never going to be away from you again, even if I have to pack all my stuff and move across the country for you.”
My mouth dries.
“You would uproot your life for me?” I rasp, feeling close to breaking down in tears, even more than I did when Carmen was crying over me.
Danny nods.
“There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you, baby,” he promises. “If you want me, of course.”
I search his face for any hint that he’s only saying it because we’re still on edge from what happened in Theta, but all I see is devotion and love in his eyes when he looks at me. He doesn’t scratch his neck with nervousness or quirk his mouth like he does when he’s feeling unsure about something.
I move my hand from his neck to his cheek, touching the slight stubble on his face. With him so close to me, I feel more secure than I’ve ever felt in my life. I don’t want this feeling to ever end.
“I do, I do want you,” I say immediately. “But you don’t have to move. I will.”
“Mabs—”
Placing my fingers over his mouth, I silence his words before he can protest.
“I’ve spent my entire life running away from things, leaving people behind to protect myself from ever being hurt, and I almost died in the process.
You almost died,” I remind him, the image of Cupid standing over him with the axe as he told me to run flashing into my brain.
Closing my eyes, I push it away. “I don’t ever want to leave you behind again. ”
“I love you.”
“I love you,” I say back, kissing his lips for a moment. “Also, I’m thinking I should make a career switch. Horror and slashers are kind of ruined for me now.”
“What will you do instead?”
For once in my life, I don’t know the answer to that.
“I guess I’ll have to figure it out.”
He presses his lips to my forehead, and I rest against him.
“It’s okay. We can figure it out . . .”
“Together?” I ask.
Danny squeezes my shoulder three times.
“Yes, baby. Together.”