Page 55 of A Simple Reminder
My breathing quickens, sharp and shallow, and a strange mix of emotions floods me—anger, shock, confusion? I don’t know. What the hell? But then I touch her side of the bed, and it’s still warm. She couldn't have left long ago. Maybe she’s just in the bathroom. That must be it. Relief flutters in, and I release a deep breath, feeling a little bit stupid that I panicked. This is Sophie, she wouldn’t just leave without saying bye.
I stride to the ensuite bathroom, my movements a bit too fast, still fueled by lingering anxiety. The door is already cracked open.Empty.
Maybe she got thirsty. I head to the kitchen.Empty.
The living room? Maybe she’s watching TV, waiting for me.Empty
She’s gone.
She left me.
The realization settles, but not like a punch to the gut—that’s too easy. It’s a blade, sliding between my ribs, slow and calculated, cutting deeper with every second I let myself feel it.
After everything, she walked out. Like I’m some forgettable moment. Like I’m someone she can just leave behind.
My jaw tightens, and my fists clench at my sides, but I stay rooted in place. I won’t fall apart. Not here. Not now.
My mind reels, replaying every second of last night in agonizing detail. The way she looked at me, the way she moaned my name.Was it all just a mistake to her?Something she regrets the moment the lights came on?
Frustration bubbles over, red-hot and consuming. My chest tightens, tension locking my body in place. The thoughts spiral, picking up speed, each one worse than the last, until I can’t take it anymore. I grab my phone, my pulse pounding in my ears, the need to lash out taking over.
I start typing, my fingers moving faster than my brain.
Me:
So that’s your game now? Slip out before I even wake up? Real classy.
Was it that easy for you, Soph? To share my bed, let me touch you like that, and then walk away like it didn’t matter? That’s what you do best, isn’t it? Run. I should have known.
This isn’t over, Sunshine.
I stare at the screen, the anger twisting my gut. But I hit send before I can stop myself.
The swish of the sent message feels deafening in the silence around me. Regret crashes over me like a cold wave, freezing and merciless.What the hell is wrong with me?
The words are right there, glaring back at me in bold, unfeeling text. They mock me, each letter a reminder of how impulsive, how reckless I can be when it comes to her. My chest tightens as the weight of what I’ve done settles in.
I swipe a hand over my face, gripping the back of my neck like I can somehow squeeze the frustration out of me. But it’s too late. The damage is done, and there’s no taking it back now.
TWENTY-FOUR
SOPHIE
It’s warm, cozy, and feels like the safest place in the world. I haven’t felt this kind of comfort in ages—it’s like a dream I don’t want to wake up from.
My body is wrapped in a satisfying ache that reminds me of something good, something real. For a moment, I can’t quite remember where I am, but the warmth surrounding me makes me feel like it doesn’t even matter. Everything just feels right.
Slowly, I blink my eyes open, the dim light filtering through the curtains casting soft shadows across the room. And then it hits me—I’m lying on Liam’s chest.
We had sex.
Oh God. We had sex.
His steady heartbeat thuds beneath my ear, rhythmic and calming, like it’s pulling me into a moment I shouldn’t want to stay in. His skin is warm against mine, the kind of heat that sinks into your bones, making it impossible to move. His arm is draped around me, heavy but gentle, holding me close in a way that feels protective. Like he’s afraid to let me go, even in sleep.
Memories from last night crash over me in waves, each one more vivid than the last. His touch, his lips, the way he looked at me—it’s all burned into my mind. I can feel the heat rising to my cheeks, my face practically on fire with the weight of it all.
What did we do?
