Page 23 of Those That Are Lost

“Why not?”

“She doesn’t need that pressure right now.”

“Maybe you both do. It's clear you’re meant to be mated.”

“Henry. She’s been through a lot and still suffering from it all. She doesn’t need any more change right now. Besides, I don't know what's best for her anymore.”

Does he really mean that?

“You don’t mean that.” Henry voices my thought.

“I fear I’m only helping her remain in her trauma. I’m wrapped up in most of it.” I feel a slight tightening of his arms at the admission. I want to tell him that he’s wrong but I don’t move, don’t let on that I’m awake.

“Or it makes you the only one that can pull her through the other side. I see the walls Ty, the ones she’s erected. But I also see how she reacts to you. She wants to reach out. Keep trying.”

“I won’t push her,” Ty says with venom in his voice. I wonder if he’s thinking of Adicious like I am at Henry’s advice.

“I didn’t say push,” Henry clarifies. “And I’m not pushing her. Just bringing out the feelings I can see written on her face that she won’t let herself acknowledge. There’s a difference in trying to push through to her and bringing her out of her tower.”

“I’m trying. I’m just not any good at it.”

“The first part is the important part. Keeping trying.”

“What if I fail?” My heart constricts in my chest as Ty confides in his friend.

“What if you don’t?”

“I’ll get the rest of my life to worship the only thing that makes all the bad seem worthwhile.”

“That seems like a valid reason to not give up,” Henry says, and I feel him reach over me to squeeze Ty’s shoulder. I don’t know when he turned over but he must now be facing us.

Sleep pulls me under as the weight of Ty’s feelings wrap around my heart and dig into the foundations of the barriers between us.

CHAPTER 12

TY

Inever want this dream to end.

It takes me a second to realise I’m conscious. And this dream, this feeling, is currently my reality.

My body is so relaxed I’m pretty sure my bones have melted. My legs are entwined with hers, my arm is resting over her, elbow at her hip, forearm against her waist, and hand against her back. And she’s nestled into me.

It's the same position we fell asleep in last night.

We’re so close our noses are almost touching.

Hell, I could nudge her head a little with mine and find her lips with my own.

I don’t though, knowing she’d pull away if I tried.

Her scent fills my lungs with every breath and it makes my chest ache. To have her so close and know she’s not currently willing to be mine is the sweetest torture.

The words I spoke to Henry last night are still raw on my skin. Putting my fears in the open felt like carving them into it, making them as visible as the ink on my shoulder.

I inhale again and ride the high her scent brings my body.

“Are you watching me sleep?” Red mumbles.