I want the new Fable back. I want the new us back.
There was never any us you ass**le.
Clamping my lips shut, I sit on the edge of the bed, sad when she skitters away from me as if she needs the space. I’ve had this idea lurking in the back of my mind since about three this morning and I hope it’s going to heal what damage has been done to our tentative relationship. If she doesn’t agree…
I don’t know what else to do.
“Well, I’m fine,” she retorts, setting her phone down, her gaze locked on her bent knees in front of her. “You can leave now.”
“I was hoping I could ask you to go with me somewhere.”
She flicks her head in an I-don’t-give-a-shit way. “I don’t know if we should hang out together anymore, Drew. I know we’re supposed to be pretending we’re boyfriend and girlfriend, but this week is almost over and I don’t think we need to make a big show of it.”
Fuck, what did I do? I have no idea, and she’s not going to tell me unless I drag it out of her. “I wanted you to come with me to the cemetery. I need to visit my sister’s grave.”
Her gaze finally meets mine, those green eyes full of pain and sympathy. All for me. “I don’t know if I should…”
“I want you there.” Reaching out, I grab her hand and cradle it in mine. Her fingers are ice cold and she tries to withdraw, but I tighten my grip. “I need you there, Fable.”
“I thought Adele had something planned for family only.” She lifts her chin, looking defiant. Vulnerable. Beautiful.
So beautiful I’m tempted to haul her into my arms and never let her go. But I don’t.
“I’m not going with them.” It would be my every nightmare come to life. Adele a weeping, emotional wreck and I’ll be expected to stand by her, full of sympathy and offering her hugs.
I can hardly stand the thought of her touching me, let alone actually letting her.
Fable’s quiet. I can tell she’s considering my request, which fills me with relief. I don’t want to go alone, I don’t want to go with my parents either, but I need to go and pay my respects to my baby sister. The idea of going alone fills me with such overwhelming sadness, I know I’d fall apart the second I parked my truck in the cemetery parking lot. I wouldn’t be able to go in there and I need to.
Having Fable by my side will give me the strength I freaking need to visit my sister’s grave. Beg her forgiveness at her gravestone for not taking care of her and hope like hell when I tell Fable the truth, she won’t hate me for what I’ve done.
And maybe, just maybe, her acceptance will help ease the hatred I feel for myself.
“I’ll go with you,” she says, her voice low, her gaze downcast once more. “When do you want to leave?”
“I need to take a shower. I’m sure you do too.” When she nods, I continue. “A couple of hours then? By ten?”
“That sounds good.” She nods again and slowly releases her hold on my hand, her fingers drifting along the length of mine. Chills steal over me at the subtle contact and when I look at her, she’s watching me, her lips parted, her eyes wide. So f**king beautiful in her tousled, still sleepy state, it hurts to stare at her for too long.
“Thank you,” I whisper. “For saying you’ll come with me.”
“Thank you for trusting me enough to ask.” She licks her lips, leaving a damp sheen on them and I want to kiss her so bad, I ache with it. “That’s why I was so mad, Drew. After what happened yesterday, what you and Adele accused me of, it felt like you didn’t trust me. And all I’ve ever been is honest with you.”
She’s right. I know this. I overreacted. Adele pushed all my buttons and I fell for her tricks. So stupid.
“I shouldn’t have listened to Adele.” I take a deep breath and let it out. “I’m sorry.”
A little smile curls her lips and my heart flutters. “You’re forgiven. And just so you know. The guy I was talking to yesterday?”
Now my heart is pounding. “Yeah?”
“It was Owen. My brother.”
I feel one hundred times the jackass. Of course, she was talking to her brother. She’s worried sick about him most the time. “I shouldn’t listen to Adele.”
“No, you shouldn’t.”
“I feel like an ass**le.”
“Yesterday, you sort of were one.” I’m about to say something, but she cuts me off. “Truthfully? I liked seeing all the anger. It means you actually feel, you know?”
I’m quiet. She’s right. I can’t remember the last time I went off like that. Do I ever go off like that? A fuse had been lit within me and I was unable to contain it.
“I’m going to take a shower.” She flicks her chin at me. “You should go. I don’t want you to see me. My shirt’s practically see-through.”
“Fable, I hate to break this to you, but I’ve already seen you,” I remind her, my voice low.
Now it’s her turn to remain quiet and with a grin, I stand, heading for the door. “I liked what I saw too,” I call over my shoulder.
Her soft laughter follows me all the way down the hall.
Fable
It’s so cold outside and gloomy, the sky full of dark, foreboding clouds and that ever-present wind. I pull my coat tight around me, following Drew as we walk through the cemetery. He’s taking a windy path through the gravestones and I try my hardest not to look at them, but I can’t resist. Some of them are beautiful, with actual pictures on them, heartbreaking messages and even statues.