Page 125 of Pretty Thing

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.”