Chapter 35
thirty-five
. . .
Eden
New tattoos are irritating. I forgot all about that part. Even after two days of healing, it feels like I spent the whole day out in the sun. The aftercare and ointment that Felix uses helps the sting some, but it’s still all I can focus on.
I guess this is certainly one way to take my mind off the fact that I’ve literally lost everything and am officially homeless.
Kris is trying hard to get me to move in with her or their parents. I’m considering it only because she makes a good point about them being like family.
My knee bounces, and Felix rubs my leg trying to calm me. We’re waiting at the hospital fracture clinic for my appointment. The cast is finally coming off. I glance up at the side of his face, admiring how incredibly sexy he is, and he smirks.
“I feel you staring at me.” Those blue eyes turn and lock on me. “All good thoughts, I hope.”
I feel my cheeks heat and I open my mouth to respond but then my phone rings. I move to grab it and wince when the shirt slides over my extremely sensitive tattoo.
“Here, let me get it for you,” Felix says, reaching around me.
“No.” I stand and glare at him. “I can do it.” The guilt hits me like a punch at the hurt look on his face. “I’m sorry…that was uncalled for. I’m so sick of feeling useless, but that’s no excuse to take my irritation out on you,” I say, pulling the phone from my pocket.
A defeated wave washes over me when I see it’s the police calling.
With a heavy sigh, I hit talk.
“Hello.”
“Eden Hale?”
“Yes, that’s me.”
“This is Officer Collins from the Pembrook police calling. Are you able to come into the station this afternoon?”
“I’m at the hospital right now having my cast removed, but I can come in after they are finished. What is this about?”
“I’ll explain when you get here.”
He hangs up, and my eyes flick up to Felix.
He’s quiet, probably worried I’m going to bite his head off again for no reason.
“Can you give me a lift to the police station after we’re done here?”
He nods and slowly pushes himself up to stand in front of me.
“Of course, but why?”
“I don’t know. They just asked if I could come in.” Pinching the bridge of my nose, I focus on staying calm. “Thank you, and I’m sorry about snapping at you.”
The corner of his mouth tilts up. “Already forgotten.”
Felix’s eyes are as kind now as the day he pulled me from the car wreck.
Everything I used to be, everything I loved or owned, is gone.
My parents are dead, and the rest of my life is burnt to ash except for him.
Felix is the only piece of my world that has remained a steady, safe space since chaos became the default setting.
Looking into his eyes is like finding a raft when you’re adrift at sea.
I have absolutely nothing left to my name, but as long as he is looking at me like this… I don’t feel entirely ruined.
“Eden Hale,” a nurse calls my name, and our bubble pops. The sounds of the hospital around us come storming back.
I turn and raise my hand.
“This way, please,” she says.
“Do you want me to come with you,” Felix asks, and I nod.
His fingers entwine with mine.
Maybe I’m depending on his support far more than I should. Maybe this is all a little too rushed. Maybe I should be worried that my life doesn’t feel normal unless he is in it. But I’m sure all the people who think that have never been through what we have, or lost what I have. Felix is a godsend.
“Ms. Hale, good to see you again,” the doctor says, pointing to a chair. “Let’s get that cast off.”
“Yes, please,” I say, sitting down.
He holds up a tool.
“This is an oscillating cast saw. It won’t cut your skin, but it is noisy.”
I nod as he gets to work. It doesn’t hurt, but the sound and vibrations bring back memories from the crash.
My heart begins to race, and suddenly Felix is there, standing beside me and cradling my head to him like he knew the exact moment it became too much.
I breathe in his scent, and there is still a faint smell of smoke on his jacket.
I should hate the smell, but it is almost comforting.
“There all done.” My arm is very pale and flaky like it’s diseased. “We’ll do a quick X-ray to make sure it’s healing properly, and then we’ll get you out of here.”
The nurse guides me down the hall to the X-ray machine. After she’s done, we return to the same room.
Doctor Walker struts in and wakes up his computer. I squeeze Felix’s hand as I wait for the all clear.
“It’s looking good. When you get home, soak your arm in warm water for ten to twenty minutes.
Repeat that twice a day. Pat dry, then use a generous amount of fragrance-free, alcohol-free moisturizer.
Hypoallergenic will work too. Do not scrub, scratch, or pick at the skin,” the doctor orders as he hands me a pamphlet.
“If it throbs, elevate it and use an over-the-counter pain med only when needed. Also, you must keep up with your physiotherapy for at least another six to twelve weeks.”
Dr. Walker reminds me of everything to avoid and then disappears out the door.
I’m quiet while Felix helps me get my zip-up hoodie and jacket on like he’s been doing for weeks. We step outside, and I stop. Emotions I’m not expecting slam into me, and I gasp for air.
“What’s wrong,” Felix asks, wrapping his arm around me.
But I don’t know how to answer him.
“It just…it feels like another part of that day is gone. Soon there will be nothing left. My injuries will heal, and how will I remember them?”
“Shh, Eden.”
Felix holds me as I burst into tears that make zero sense even to me. I can’t seem to shake the soul-crushing belief that I’m going to forget my parents. I’m clinging to their memory as tight as I can, but they continue to slip further from my grasp.
“Your phone has photos, right?”
I sniff.
“Yes.”
“Then when we get back to the loft, I’ll download them onto a stick. You can print them and frame them, or make a calendar, or ornaments in their honor. You’ll never forget them, Eden. I’ll help make sure that never happens.”
Felix cups my cheeks and kisses my tears before licking them off his lips. It’s oddly erotic.
“I’ve got you.”
“You’re so amazing. I don’t deserve you. I’m a total wreck. I’ve done nothing with my life. I don’t know what to do now, and everything is just too much. I feel like I’m taking advantage of your kindness.”
“Stop beating yourself up for things out of your control. Look, I know you weren’t sure before, but you can work for me until you know what you want to do. It will help you feel useful, and I can really use the extra set of hands. You already think Matt is great. We’ll make an incredible team.”
“Maybe, especially now after…after the house.” I chew my lip. “I don’t know much about tattoos though.”
“It’s a good thing that you’re dating me. I can answer all your questions. And…” A devilishness infuses his tone. “I’ll give you pop quizzes.”
My eyebrow lifts.
“Is that so? What happens when I get an answer correct?”
His smirk deepens. “I’d worry more about what happens when you get an answer incorrect.” My next breath stills. Felix brushes his lips over mine and then whispers in my ear, “bonus…you can also have me whenever and wherever you want,” he says, punctuating each word.
He doesn’t elaborate, and there’s no need.
“How do I say no to such an enticing offer? I’ll do it.”
Felix smiles so wide you’d think I’d given him the best gift in the world.
“We better get to the police station and see what they want.”
God…will this nightmare never end?
felix
I breathe a sigh of relief when the cops have no interest in talking to me. But I really don’t like that they took Eden in to speak with her alone.
Ding.
I glance down, and it’s Eden’s phone, not mine. A message from Kris
Kris: Please say yes.
Please say yes to what?
I don’t trust either of them at this point. I open Eden’s phone to skim through the last few days of conversation. My anger is quick as I read over Kris telling Eden that she belongs with them, or their parents, because they are family.
Family? Are you fucking kidding me?
I’m her fucking family.
Kris: I know you read my message, just say yes.
Fuck. I glance over at the door where they took Eden, but I don’t see anyone coming through the small glass pane. I copy and paste a text from earlier.
Eden: No, I’m happy with Felix, but I appreciate the offer.
Kris: Uh…why are you being so stubborn? You barely know him, and now you’ve moved in with him.
I really want to write, “Why are you being such a cunt and trying to take away the only slice of happiness your friend has?” But obviously, I can’t, so I keep it simple.
Eden: Because I love him, and I trust him even if you don’t.
Kris: Love????? OMG! Girl, please just get to know him better. That’s all I’m asking.
Eden: I do know him, Kris. And if you keep bugging me, I can’t talk to you anymore. I’m struggling enough as it is without arguing with you all the time.
Kris: Fine, I’ll stop pushing. I’m just worried that you’re moving way too fast.
Eden: It only seems fast to you because you’ve been so set that he’s a bad guy.
Kris: Maybe, but what about school? Are you going to rebuild your house? Are you going to travel like you wanted? You always said you wanted to go to Costa Rica or Hawaii to see the sea turtles? Have you thought about any of the things you used to love and want to do?
Eden wants to go to Costa Rica or Hawaii…good to know. I file that away for later.
I type out an angry response, but my thumb hovers over send. No, this is Eden. What I want to say is too harsh. I quickly delete it and tone it down.
Eden: I will in time, but I’m still healing. I just got my cast off today, and my house is still smoldering. Can you give me a little space to breathe…please.
Kris: You’re right…I’m so sorry. My Type-A personality is showing again. Hugs girl.
Eden: Hugs.
I quickly change her settings so that any deleted messages won’t show and immediately delete the entire conversation. This way Kris will just look crazy if she says we talked about this.
Taking a chance, I download SnapFace onto Eden’s phone and move it to a screen all on its own before looking for Kyle. I already know he has an account. Probably uses it to send unsolicited dick pics to girls.
Finding him, I send a message with the disappearing option.
Eden: Hey.
Not even a minute passes before he responds. I can almost picture him coming in his pants when Eden popped up on his screen. Fucking asshole.
Kyle: Hey, I didn’t know you were on here.
Eden: I’m not. I have to delete this account when I’m done.
Kyle: Okay…why?
Eden: Kyle, if I tell you something, can you promise me you won’t tell Kris or say anything to anyone? And I mean anyone. You can’t suddenly show up at Felix’s door or anything like that.
Kyle: Okay.
Eden: Promise me, Kyle, I mean it.
Kyle: Wow, okay, I swear. What’s going on?
Eden: I’m at the police station with Felix and IDK if it’s anything, but they wanted to speak to him. Do you think he could’ve burned my house down?
Kyle: Yes!!! That guy is fucking crazy.
Me? I’m fucking crazy? Pot meet kettle. I’m not the one stealing her shit and jerking off in her bed.
Eden: I don’t want to believe that, but…I just have this weird feeling.
Kyle: Follow that feeling. He probably did it so you’d have to move in with him cause you turned his douche ass down.
Okay, now he’s pissing me off. I won’t just kill him. His reputation will be ruined and he’ll die painfully.
Eden: Yeah…maybe. Look, I have to go. But if I need you, I’ll open an account again and reach out.
Kyle: Anything you need, at any time, I’m there for you. I love you, Eden. You’re my best friend, and I’m ten times better looking than my sister.
I roll my eyes at the phone.
Eden: LOL. Thanks, you’re such a great friend. I knew I could count on you. Remember, don’t say a word.
Kyle: My lips are sealed.
Perfect.
I quickly delete the app from her downloads and lock the phone. Not a moment later, the door opens, and Eden and Officer Collins step out.
She’s dabbing her eyes with a tissue. I watch closely for any anger or suspicion, but the officer just closes the door and leaves.
“Are you okay,” I ask, holding her jacket for her.
“I will be. It’s just…there is nothing left. The house is nothing but ash. It’s like the accident all over again. Parents gone, car gone, and now the only home I’ve ever known.”
Eden covers her mouth as she turns to face me. I hook a piece of hair behind her ear as tears well in her eyes. My heart breaks for her. Yes, Eden living with me is what I want, but it shouldn’t cause her so much pain.
Fucking Kyle.
“I’m so sorry. I hate that you’re suffering.”
Closing my eyes, I pull her close and kiss her forehead.
“Do they know what caused the fire?”
She shrugs.
“They think it was the furnace. My parents were storing boxes too close, and it just happened to catch fire. A total accident. I feel like I’m a giant walking hazard sign lately.”
She wipes away the tears sliding down her cheeks.
“Hey, look on the bright side, at least no one was home when it happened.”
“I guess. It’s not much of a consolation considering I have nothing. I don’t even have the paperwork I need to start over. I just…I don’t know what to do,” Eden says.
I hand her back her phone, then wrap my arm around her waist as we walk out.
“I know, and I’m sorry. Do you want to go shopping? The mall is still open, and it’s my treat for the crappy day. Unless you love wearing my boxers as underwear.” I smirk.
“Felix, you…”
“Don’t you dare say, ‘You don’t have to do that.’”
Eden laughs when I try to mock her voice.
“I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“And you have never said a sweeter sentence. I love you, Pretty Thing.”
I brush my lips against hers and then open her car door.
Eden can’t fathom the exquisite agony of how I crave her, or how our fates are tangled together. But it doesn’t matter. I hold the keys to our destiny, and when the dust settles, Eden will finally look me in the eyes and see my devotion. She’ll realize everything I destroy keeps her safe.