Page 129 of Mr. Edwards

I turn my attention to Reece. “Is it okay with you if I stay?”

He nods. “It would be good for Carlee” is all he says.

Once the others leave, we head up to the apartment, more specifically, Carlee’s bedroom. I might be reading too much into it, but she looked relieved when I told her I was staying.

I’m sitting on the edge of her bed with my head buried in my hands while she showers. Reece is downstairs with Michelle, tidying up.

I sit up straight and rub my palms down the front of my suit pants when Carlee reenters the room. I removed my jacket and tie earlier, rolling my shirt sleeves up to my elbows.

Carlee’s hair is pulled up into a messy bun on the top of her head, and she’s void of any makeup.

She still makes me breathless.

Instinctively, my eyes travel down her body. That’s when I notice she’s wearing one of my old tees. That’s where it got to. Come to think of it, I’m missing quite a few of them.

“Nice shirt,” I say smiling. I like seeing her in my clothes.

“This old thing,” she replies with a shrug. “I have a drawer full of them.”

We both have a small laugh at that. It lightens the mood somewhat. The fact that she held on to them after all this time pleases me.

“Are you hungry? Do you want me to run out and grab you a pizza or something?”

“Nah, I’m good. Thanks anyway though.”

I tap the space beside me. “Why don’t you lie down, and try to get some rest.”

“I… I can’t,” she says, turning her face away from mine.

“When was the last time you slept?”

She shrugs, but I can tell it’s been a few days at least. There are dark circles under her eyes and she looks exhausted. I’m guessing the nightmares are keeping her up.

The first time I saw a corpse was when Ashton’s ex-girlfriend committed suicide. I was with him the day he found her, and those images played around in my head for many months afterwards. It was a sight I hoped I’d never see again. Last week unfortunately brought that total to three. And as hard as those moments were, what broke me most that day, was seeing Carlee fall apart. It still haunts me.

“Come. Let me hold you. I’ll be on my best behavior, Scout’s honor.” When I raise my hand, doing the three-finger salute, she rolls her eyes.

“When were you a boy scout?”

“Technically never, but I would’ve been a kick-ass one if I was.”

“I see the past few years have done nothing to quell your modesty.”

Her words have me bowing my head. The past few years have been rough. “I’m still the same man you fell in love with once, albeit a little broken inside.”

“Oh, Gray,” she says, crossing the room and sitting down beside me. Reaching up she runs her fingers through my hair before placing a soft kiss on my cheek. “I’m sorry for hurting you. It’s the last thing I ever wantedto do. I hope you know that, no matter how misguided it may have been, I was trying to protect you.”

“I know,” I reply, my voice cracking as I speak.

“Do you want one of your old shirts to sleep in?”

“Please.”

“Okay.” She stands, making her way toward the dresser. “On one condition.”

“And what’s that?”

“You can’t take it with you when you leave.”