Page 32 of When The Noise Stops

She opened her mouth to say something else.

And then her legs gave out.

She sat down hard on the floor. Just collapsed like her strings had been cut.

I dropped to my knees in front of her.

"Lila?"

"I'm fine," she waved me off.

"I'm just— I'm so tired."

I sat down on the floor beside her.

"I'm sorry," she mumbled.

"I didn't mean to make a scene. I didn't mean to—"

"Stop apologizing."

She went quiet. Her breathing slowed.

"You're safe," I said.

"You're not judged."

She nodded and closed her eyes.

I sat there in the dark, in her space but not touching her. The whiskey bottle was still on the table. The room smelled like her. The lights were all on, bright as daytime, and she was out cold.

I wondered what had set her off. First it was the thing at the market. Now this. She was carrying more than she let on.

She stirred once. Mumbled something I couldn't make out. Then settled again, her hand finding the end of my shirt, holding on.

I didn't move.

Chapter 12

I woke up with the nastiest taste in my mouth and my head trying to split itself in half.

For one second, I didn't know where I was. I looked around with one eye open. Gray couch. Bike photos. It didn't take me much time to realize I was at Knox's place. Then last night dropped on me all at once—getting drunk, telling my business, then getting half-naked, passing out.

"Oh my God."

I sat up too fast. The room tilted. I still had on the bra and underwear. My dress I'd walked into Knox's house wearing last night was folded across his chair. I could suddenly hear the shower running.

I grabbed my dress, didn't even put it on, just held it against me, and got out of his place before he could come out.

My door was unlocked. Inside my own apartment, I leaned on the door and freaked out mentally. I needed a shower, one as hot as I could stand. Then I brushed my teeth twice. Put on real clothes—jeans, a loose shirt. Hair twisted up.

There was a muffin left from yesterday's bake. I took it like a peace offering I hadn't earned.

I hadn't locked his door, so I just walked in. I sat on his couch and thought about what to say, about 10 minutes later.

He came out of the hall in jeans and a black T-shirt, hair wet. He stopped when he saw me.

"You're up."