Page 64 of Needing to Fall

I let out a breath from just hearing his voice. “I’m fine. I’m on my way back.”

“Back from where, Reign? You scared the living shit out of me.” His voice told me it was very true, and I felt horrible for it.

“I went to see Drew.”

Silence on the other end.

“I know I should have told you, but it was something I needed to do,” I continued.

More silence.

“Please don’t be mad at me.” The last words came out in a hiccupped cry that I couldn’t control. Yes, the running had helped, but I was still a mess.

Finally, he said, “Babe, what happened?”

“Can we talk about it when I get back? I’m leaving now.”

His answer was immediate. “No, tell me what’s wrong.”

More tears fell. “He doesn’t remember me, Lynx. He says his name is Devin James, but Lynx”—I paused, swiping the tears from my eyes—“it was him. I know those eyes. I knew when he said my name. I don’t know what is going on.”

“Babe, you need me to come and get you. I don’t want you driving when you’re this upset.” I loved how concerned he was for me, how wonderful it made me feel that he cared so much about me, that he loved me.

I needed that so much right then. I needed that rock he had become to me, but I wouldn’t have him come and get me.

I brushed all the tears away and took several deep breaths, bringing myself under control. It was strange. I was very sad and pained, but the darkness hadn’t come like I was used to.

I drew on all my strength. “I’m okay. I’ll come right to you.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

***

I pulled up to Lynx’s house where he jumped out of the porch chair and stalked toward the car, Pepper at his feet.

I opened the door, and he engulfed me in his arms. I burrowed myself into him, absorbing his warmth, strength, and love.

“Come in, babe. Let’s talk this out.”

I shook my head as he led me to the front porch. Pepper curled up on the ground.

Instead of letting me go, he sat down in the chair and pulled me into his arms, wrapping them around me tightly. I curled my legs up, resting my head on his chest.

“Tell me,” he prompted, and I did, every last detail. It didn’t feel any better saying it. The only part that felt good was being in his arms while I did it.

“Babe, I need the name of the guy who got you this info, because while I was waiting for you, I did some searching of my own.”

My stomach fell, and I sat up, turning to him.

“I’m so fucking sorry, babe. I should have looked right away, but I thought you had it handled. It’s not good.”

I tried to get up from his lap and move to the chair next to him, but he didn’t allow me to, which in the end, I was grateful for since I needed him more than I realized.

“Whoever that motherfucker is that told you about Drew is a lying piece of shit.”

My gut twisted.

“Babe, who you thought was Drew isn’t.”