Phelan drew his blankets tighter and leaned back against his pillows as Jameson darted out the door. He watched the lamp\u2019s flame flicker and swallowed against the bile that crept higher and higher in his throat.<\/p>\n
\u201cJac,\u201d he whispered, though there was no one there to hear him. \u201cWhat did I let her do to me, Jac? What happened?\u201d<\/p>\n
His thoughts felt fragmented, slippery like fish, as fine as sand sliding from his grasp. The past felt closer than the present, which felt like it was long past, nearly beyond his grasp. He swallowed hard and watched the lamp, trying to quell the sudden panic rising inside.<\/p>\n
Was it like this for Ciar, I wonder? He never talked about it. I never pressed.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cMaybe I should have,\u201d he whispered with a slight shudder. He felt hot and cold all at once and tried to remember why. It refused to come to him and he growled in frustration, squeezing his eyes shut for a moment.<\/p>\n \u201cPhelan?\u201d<\/p>\n He startled slightly, eyes snapping open. Her hair was loose and she wore only her sweatshirt and a pair of sweatpants.<\/p>\n \u201cOh,\u201d he said, feeling hollowed out inside. \u201cWere you sleeping?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s okay,\u201d she said quietly, moving toward him quickly as he struggled to push himself back up into a sitting position. \u201cJ.T. said you\u2019d asked for me. What\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n His fingers tangled in hers as she sat down on the edge of his bed. \u201cI needed you,\u201d he whispered. \u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPhelan,\u201d she said quietly, \u201cyou don\u2019t have anything to be sorry for.\u201d<\/p>\n Jameson cleared his throat. \u201cI\u2019ll let you two be,\u201d he said, slipping back out and closing the door behind him.<\/p>\n Then they were alone. Jacqueline stared at him, ran the fingers of her free hand against his cheek and jaw.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you really remember?\u201d she breathed. \u201cDo you know me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know enough,\u201d he whispered back before he kissed her.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Phelan drew his blankets tighter and leaned back against his pillows as Jameson darted out the door. He watched the lamp\u2019s flame flicker and swallowed against the bile that crept higher and higher in his throat. \u201cJac,\u201d he whispered, though … Continue reading