Page 95 of Burn

I’m loading the dishwasher when Donovan asks, “How are things with your girl and that freaky ass creature you claim is a cat?”

Lex.

“We have good and bad days, but more good than bad lately,” I reply, unable to contain my smile.

We flew home from her fucking hometown last Sunday after brunch with her dad. She left the wedding excitement out of the visit, telling her dad it was a perfect day and that her friend looked beautiful and happy. I didn’t miss the glare she shot at me when her dad asked, so I kept my mouth shut. I don’t think he loved that I crashed their date, but it was nice. I teased her about the importance of that step. Meeting her dad. He asked if she planned to visit her mom, and I was relieved when she said no. I couldn’t maintain a sunny disposition with that particular individual.

Since returning to Torhaven, we’ve settled into an almost domesticated routine. It’s been nice, and when I finish dinner, clean up, and get ready for bed, I realize I haven’t received my usual evening text, so I pull out my phone and fire one off to her.

“Hey. How was your day?”

I wait a few minutes, but she doesn’t reply. There are no little dots to suggest she’s writing, so I send another.

“Heading to bed. Have a pretty hilarious story for you. If you’re into slightly morbid humor.”

As I brush my teeth, something twists in my stomach, and I freeze. My skin feels like it’s crawling, almost as if I’ve forgotten something, and I grab my phone and check my calendar, looking for a missed team meeting or something that could explain the growing anxiety gnawing at my guts.

Something isn’t right.

I open my texts again, and there’s still no response to either of my messages. Something I’ve come to learn is very unlike the beautiful brunette I currently share my bed with. I stare at the screen, trying to use some sort of fucking ESP to get her to reply, but there’s nothing. I flick to the phone app, and my thumb hovers over her contact when Thorne pushes the dooropen. He must sense something is off, because he laughs and says, “You were in shock before. Now you’re realizing how fucking disturbing that was, huh?”

I try to laugh, but it’s flat and humorless. “Nah. Just thinking about how fucked up your dreams are gonna be tonight.”

He flips me off as he steps into one of the stalls, and I think back to last night. Everything was fine. Normal. I left before she woke this morning, and she’s been strangely silent all day. I can’t believe it took me until now to realize.

I grab my night kit and head for the dorms. When I crawl into bed, I stare at the ceiling, unable to sleep.

Maybe she’s asleep.

Maybe I’m overthinking this.

Fuckingmaybe.

Lullaby

Lex

“Tell me about your trip!” Kendall rushes out the minute I join the Zoom call.

Her blonde hair is styled into a sleek, low bun, and she’s got a pen tucked behind her ear. The summer sun has turned her skin a beautiful golden color, making her look like she belongs in California, somewhere with a beach and palm trees.

“It was an experience,” I say, rolling my eyes and blushing.

Her eyes shine with excitement, and a broad smile spreads across her face. “Please, do continue.”

“Is Ollie joining?” I ask.

“I think she’s running late,” she says as she looks away from the camera. “I’ll send her a text.”

A few minutes later, a frazzled-looking Olivia joins our meeting. If Kendall is the picture of polished perfection, today, Olivia is a model of messiness. She instantly pulls out a tube of mascara, using the camera as a mirror, and starts to talk on mute. Her hands move wildly, and I can tell she’s annoyed even without hearing her.

“Liv!” Kendall shouts. “Hey, Olivia! You’re on mute!”

She rolls her eyes. “I swear to fucking god, Antonio is such a whiny little bitch. Ten minutes. I was ten minutes late, and he needed to corner me in the hall to lecture me about being punctual.” I snort a laugh. “Like, sir, respectfully, you’re wasting more of my time than my coffee detour did. Beat it.”

“Well,” Kendall starts. “You were late almost every day last week.”

“Oh, eat me.” Olivia drops her hand and looks directly into the camera. “My dog needs his morning walk, and he will always take priority over this pit of despair we call a workplace. Also, at least I’m here.She’sat home again.”