Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 132582 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 663(@200wpm)___ 530(@250wpm)___ 442(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132582 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 663(@200wpm)___ 530(@250wpm)___ 442(@300wpm)
“Oh my God.” I step away, my stomach sinking. “That’s…that’s so traumatizing. I’m sorry that happened to you.” Now I feel like a complete bitch.
He doesn’t say a word, just looks away, as if ashamed, and now I really feel bad. He hates spiders because of a childhood trauma. That’s awful.
I wobble around the bed to get to the window, twisting the lock open and lifting it. I dump the spider onto the windowsill, and it scatters away quickly. Then I close and lock the window before setting the teacup on the shelf next to me.
Caz climbs off the bed, walking to the chair and picking up his jacket. Not staying here.
He carries the jacket with him, marching to the door, and my heart pounds as I watch him go toward it. “Wait—Caz,” I call as he wraps a large hand around the doorknob.
He stops, and I feel a slight ache in my chest again, only this time it doesn’t hurt. It’s pulsing, like it has its own heartbeat above my own heart. A chill sweeps through my body, but unlike the coldness before, this one doesn’t paralyze me. Instead, it soothes the marrow in my bones and causes my scalp to tingle.
“You don’t have to leave,” I tell him. “I’m not judging you about the spiders. After hearing that story, I understand why you’re afraid of them, and I’m sorry for taunting you about it.”
He turns fully around, glaring at me. “I’m not afraid of them.”
“Right—well, it makes sense why you hate them.”
He tips his chin, clearly finding that statement more suitable. “You tell anyone, and I’ll bury you.”
I fight a smirk. “No, you won’t.”
“What makes you think I won’t?”
“Because apparently we’re Tethered.” I step closer, but not without wobbling. “And I have a feeling burying me would be just like burying yourself.”
He’s quiet as I take another step. Then he says, “Look at you. You can hardly walk and you’re talking about some Tether.”
“Don’t change the subject.”
If I’m not mistaken, his eyes soften as he looks into mine. It’s very brief, but they do, and he clears his throat, looking away to break his trance.
“Look, I know you feel this…whatever this is that happens when we’re arguing or disagreeing with each other,” I go on.
His throat bobs and he works his jaw, like he often does when there’s a topic happening he doesn’t want to discuss. I’ve noticed that about him. In only a matter of days, I’ve noticed many of his quirks.
“I have a feeling if you leave this room tonight, that cold cramping we’re feeling will only get stronger. For all we know, that pain might really start to cause damage.” I pause, debating whether I should tell him what I felt, but either way he’ll probably hear my thinking about it. As I look into his eyes and notice them swimming with curiosity, I shoot for it. “Earlier, when you walked out of Manx’s office, I felt cold, and like I couldn’t breathe for a second, and I don’t know what that means for us, but I don’t want to feel that again, so if you’d just stay, I think it’ll be best. For both of us.”
Caz looks deeper into my eyes, holding my gaze a few beats before snatching his away and sighing. Without a word, he walks across the room, moving past me to get to the cushioned chair in the corner.
“Fine. I won’t leave, but I won’t be sharing a bed with you either. Nothing to take personally, I just don’t like people near me for too long.”
I start to ask him why, but for now I’m just glad he didn’t go. Oddly enough, I feel safer with him around than when he’s not. And sure, Whisper Grove may have a rule that doesn’t allow violence, but who’s to say someone can’t find a loophole and attack us anyway?
Despite it all, it’s a victory to me. He’s staying, and I’m tired, so I think I’ll sleep. I climb into the bed, lying on my good side again, and pull the plush white duvet over me.
This bed is so comfy. You have no idea what you’re missing out on.
I peek at Caz, and his eyes are already on me. With an eyeroll, I hear his voice in my head saying, Go to sleep already, Willow Woman.
I close my eyes with another smile.
Thirty-Four
CAZ
She’s right. If I’d left the room, I’m sure the cramping in my chest would’ve gotten more intense. Normally, I’m okay with pain. Pain has only made me stronger, but this is a different type.
It’s not a normal hurt, just a relentless ache that intensifies when I’m away from her, and the more I try to pull away and ignore her, the worse it becomes. It’s like a toothache that’s taken over my whole body—a pain I wish would disappear but instead lingers.