Page 18

I haven’t said more than a handful of words in years. I actually don’t remember when the last time I said a full sentence was.

But I did. It was before. Before everything happened and I was taken. Before I was shoved into a life most would never see or even know about. It was safer that way if you asked me.

Cyrus’s eyes moved along the tiny screen on his phone. “It’s been that long?”

I don’t trust anyone enough to give them my voice.

Something flashed behind his eyes. Before he could respond, the waitress brought over our food.

Cyrus thanked her.

I gave her a small smile.

While we ate in silence, I wondered why Cyrus was suddenly thrown into my life. I had been living at the center for well over a year and working for a few months now. How come I never saw him before?

Me: Do you work at the center too?

I tapped my phone.

His eyes slid to his cell sitting on the table beside him. “No, I don’t work there. We started volunteering there only just recently. You would have met or at least seen Jaron more because Piper works there. Sammy and I never went with him until now. Jaron’s dad wanted us to do something nice in the public eye. We’ve been through some shit with the previous mayor, so we’re being good boys at the moment.”

I mulled over his words. Price Davies, the old mayor of our city, had suddenly disappeared. There was much speculation as to what had happened to him, but no one knew all of the details. I wondered if Cyrus knew more than he let on.

“How long have you been working there?”

Me: Almost 3 months.

Cyrus picked up his phone and began typing.

Handsome Stranger: You don’t want to sign?

Me: I always worry that someone can understand. It’s odd, I know. I guess I’m paranoid.

I was surprised my truth came out so quickly, especially when I didn’t know him.

Handsome Stranger: I get that.

Placing my phone on the table in front of me, I watched him. I found that since I hadn’t spoken in quite a while, my other senses kicked into overdrive. The scent of his cologne made my nose tingle. His muscles bunched under his long-sleeved shirt as he shifted in his seat.

“You’re staring, pet.” His eyes lifted, catching mine.

My cheeks burned.Sorry.

His lips pulled up into a small smirk. “Don’t apologize. I like your eyes on me.”

My face heated even more. I was sure it was bright red but even though that was the case, I couldn’t help the smile pulling at my own lips. It amazed me how much I smiled both of the times I had been around Cyrus. Even though I didn’t know him overly well, there was something about him that called out to me. I found myself wanting to get to know him more. What made him tick? Was he close with his brother? Did he know why, for whatever reason, Sammy hated me? As much as that bothered me, I wanted to know everything there was to know about Cyrus more.

“Eat your food.” Cyrus nodded to my plate. “It’s going to get cold.”

While we ate in silence, I noticed how comfortable it was to just sit there with him. He never demanded for me to talk like a lot of people did when they first met me. I assumed he would eventually, but for now he let me text him or sign. Whichever I felt like using at that point in time.

When we were done our breakfast, Cyrus asked for the bill.

I reached into my bag to grab some money for him when his hand covered mine. My eyes shot to his.

“This is my treat,” he said gently, his calloused thumb running back and forth over the edge of my hand.

I shook my head, not wanting him to think I was a freeloader.