Page 116 of Yearn

In the dark beyond my reflection, a shape resolved.

Tall.

Muscular.

Still.

The shadow line of shoulders I knew with my hands before I knew with my eyes.

Dominic was in the backyard.

Standing in the darkness.

Watching.

I swallowed.

How much did he hear?

Then, Dominic shocked me by stepping into the light and letting me fully see him.

Fuck. . .

His eyes.

I’d never seen eyes say so much without moving.

He didn’t touch the glass.

He didn’t lift a hand.

He just turned his head a little, watched the space where Scott had disappeared, and then cut his gaze back to me.

The message landed like a cold punch to my throat.

If you don’t get rid of him, I will, and you won’t like how I do it.

My bottom lip quivered.

Fear slid along my ribs and tightened, a snake finding the smallest way it could fit through flesh to touch bone. I hated the fear because it wore love like a mask, and I loved the fear because it meant someone was standing outside in the dark watching my house like a guard dog with a degree and a steady hand.

I wanted to open the door and let him in.

Yet, I also wanted to bolt the door and keep him out so he wouldn’t get involved in my mess.

I wanted all the contradictions to stand next to each other and agree to behave until morning.

Behind me, a box thumped.

Scott moved something else.

I didn’t move.

I couldn’t.

I kept my eyes on Dominic until he tipped his chin once and then darkness took him.

Shit.