Chapter 25 #2
“Creed,” I whisper his name, but it’s broken as he shakes his head at me. “I-I’m s—”
“Don’t—” Creed cuts me off when I start to apologize, fumbling over my words when Collins loosens her grip and finally slides down the silks, almost absentmindedly, until her feet touch the ground. The movement pulls Creed’s attention from me and back to her, I’m graced with his back.
I want all the focus to be on Collins, yet I hate myself for the way it makes my heart ache to be on the receiving end of Creed’s quiet ire. I also hate the heavy embarrassment that washes over me, knowing that Wilder is witnessing one of my greatest fears.
You’re too much.
My eyes sting at the words of the unbidden voice in my head, but I push through the endless taunt. I step up beside Creed so that I’m in front of Collins. She’s my priority, and I finally have a chance to help her without restraint.
Softly, without looking away from Collins, I explain, “Sh-she doesn’t always respond well to touch when she’s like this.” I can feel Creed’s eyes peeking at the two vertical scars just below my eye, but that’s not what I’m referring to and he knows it.
“It’s just us here, Snow,” I murmur, stepping a little closer, purposely using her unique nickname. I’ve noticed that it helps her to separate her dissociation from reality somehow. “You’re safe,” I choke out, my heart cracking over her blank expression. “You’re home.”
Creed watches as I repeat the words over and over to Collins, each time closing the distance between us. Her jade eyes shutter before blinking several times. Soft breaths flutter in and out of her slightly parted lips. When she lifts her eyes, the weight on my chest lifts with them as she smiles.
She’s okay.
Deftly, she loosens her grip until her arms fall gracefully to her sides.
Marie is there, quick to check her over, especially her shoulders.
All the while, Collins’ eyes remain locked onto mine.
Satisfied that Collins is uninjured, Marie whispers that she’ll be back next week, then nods and walks over to Wilder, loops her arm through his, and ushers him from the room.
I lose it. I don’t mean to, but the tears are free falling. I pull Collins into my arms and hold her close. The feel of her tightening her grip on me and the feel of her smiling against my skin has me damn near delirious. I’m not crying because I’m sad, and Collins knows it.
All those times I fought and failed to get to her…I didn’t fail her this time.
“I’m okay,” she whispers against my skin before placing a soft kiss against my neck. “I’m home, Ri, I’m home.”
“You’re home,” I confirm, though I think it’s more for myself than it is for her.
Just as I release her, Collins’ stomach growls, pulling a laugh from all three of us.
“Hungry much?” Creed teases behind me, stepping up to pull Collins into his chest in a tight hug that has my heart squeezing as hard as I’m also blushing.
You’d think this girl starves with how frequently she gets hungry. But that’s impossible, given she has four men in the house who are constantly cooking food and bringing her endless snacks.
“You okay?” Creed asks her softly, genuine concern in his question while his eyes assess her from head to toe. His dismissal of my apology resurfaces, and a fresh wave of heartache washes over me. Creed has never so much as blinked angrily at me the entire time I’ve known him.
I know our internal wounds are just as raw as those on the outside, but it does nothing to dampen the sting of his rejection of my words. I can feel his eyes on me, but I avoid his gaze in favor of staring at my own feet.
“I’m good. Truly.” She nods a little too quickly, her eyes volleying between me and Creed for a moment. “Blair volunteered to make lunch, and I’m freaking starving, so I’m going to find food while trying to save Asher from whatever disaster B has concocted.”
I groan, and Creed chuckles under his breath.
I haven’t been home long, but I’ve gotten to know Asher and Blair a little better in the moments they’re home.
The first thing I learned is that Blair can’t cook to save his life, but like the rest of us, he’s a caretaker by nature.
Bless his crazy little heart for trying though.
And Asher, from what I’ve gathered, is with Blair.
He’s actually a really cool person to be around when he’s not in terrifying bodyguard mode.
Which is, like, ninety percent of the time.
When he’s relaxed, it’s easy to see how he and Creed are best friends.
They’re two peas in a pod when they’re in the same room.
“Let me lock up and—“
“No—“ Collins rushes out and our eyes snap to her. I take a cautionary peek at Creed whose brows are raised.
“No?”
She looks at me with sad eyes before they turn on Creed, hardening. Reaching for both of our hands, she laces her fingers through ours before pulling our knuckles to her lips. She kisses each one softly before speaking.
“I know we’re all struggling in our own ways. It’s only been a few days of being back in the same place, but we can’t forget who we are to each other—especially in…difficult situations.”
Her hands squeeze ours before letting go to cup the backs of our necks. When she tugs softly, Creed and I both bend down to her level instantly. Her soft lips caress my cheek, then the corner of my mouth, and finally my lips. When she turns to Creed, her expression is stern.
“You want a kiss?” she asks with a brow raised in question. Creed nods eagerly. Collins pats him on the cheek, hard and full of condescension. It’s shocking to both of us, but before either of us can react, she speaks again. “Fix it. Then come find me.”
And just like that, I get a glimpse of the fiery hellcat that had cursed Creed six ways to Sunday when he tossed her into the back of his car months ago.
Her command carries a playful yet powerful finality that leaves zero room for negotiation as she turns and exits the room with her chin held high and Creed’s mouth agape.