Page 136 of When a Soul Cries

My throat closed.

I wrapped one arm around her back and rested my other hand gently against the back of her head.

“I know.”

“I worked. I paid what I could. I made sure Halo had everything before me. I tried so fucking hard.”

“I know, Sol.”

“I don’t know what else to do.”

Her voice broke completely.

I closed my eyes.

“You don’t have to know tonight.”

She cried harder.

I held her.

That was all.

I didn’t tell her everything would magically be okay.

Didn’t promise to fix her entire life.

Didn’t tell her she was strong.

I had a feeling Sol was tired of being strong.

So I just held her until the sobs became quieter.

Eventually, she pulled back.

Her eyes were swollen again.

“I’m sorry.”

“Stop apologizing.”

“I got your shirt wet.”

“I own more.”

A broken little laugh escaped her.

There she was.

I brushed my thumb underneath one of her eyes, but I moved slowly enough for her to pull away if she wanted.

She didn’t.

“You’re not going back to that motel.”

Her expression immediately became guarded again.

“Rome—”