Page 131 of The Fractured

“As long as it’s with you,” Dean muttered into my ear. “I’m still down for that box wine and burgers by the Hudson, by the way.”

“And give up the opportunity to witness us all drunk together?” I mused softly, continuing the drawing.

“I think if we’re all drunk, there won’t be a lot of witnessin’ going on.”

I smiled as I added the final touches to the drawing. It was of two small birds flying. The entire thing was no bigger than two inches and sat right below the heel of his palm.

“Why birds?” Dean asked so that only I heard.

“I don’t know, but they’re sort of flying free in a way. Maybe I’m subconsciously trying to manifest something for you.” I huffed a laugh.

Dean took a closer look at the drawing, studying the details with an impressed little smile in the corner of his mouth.

My smile faded. His eventual arrest was going to tear my heart out.

When he looked at me to say something else about the birds, he stopped himself after he saw my face. I tried to smile again, but it didn’t work as well as I hoped.

Dean’s eyebrows gently rose, and his eyes softened. Without bringing attention to us, he wrapped an arm around my shoulders and pulled me closer. It was a casual enough gesture that Kira and Seb took no notice to ask if something was wrong — I had heard that question enough since the day of my panic attack.

A hug for now was enough.

“I’m not gone yet.” The words were barely a whisper.

I nodded and wiped the tears from my eyes before Seb and Kira could see.

Their debate had moved from Halloween plans to dinner discussions.

“So,” Kira said, getting to her feet. “Chinese or pizza?”

“Pizza sounds good,” I said, accepting the distraction.

Kira snapped her fingers and pointed at me. “You read my mind. Pizza it is.”

“Do we not get a say?” Seb asked as he linked controllers.

“I’m down for pizza,” Dean shrugged.

“You were going to pick pizza anyway, Seb,” Kira said as she headed for her phone on the kitchen counter. “You suggested it.”

“Eh. Sue me for enjoying banter with you,” Seb grinned innocently.

Kira rolled her eyes in amusement before dialing the number for the local pizza place using the menu pinned to the fridge.

She began the order with her preference — gourmet barbecued chicken pizza — and then pointed to Seb for him to say his.

He cupped his hands around his mouth and sang out, “Supreme!”

Kira laughed into the phone. “Did you get that? Okay, cool—” She pointed at Dean next.

“Prosciutto. Extra mozzarella.”

Kira nodded once, repeating that into the phone as she looked at me expectantly.

“Hawaiian, please. And garlic bread.”

As Kira finished up the order, adding drinks and desserts, Dean hummed in displeasure.

I looked at him. “What?”