Page 67

River pouted, his bottom lip jutting out. “But I wanna go outside now, and Daddy’s gone forever.”

“I know,” I cajoled, sitting up and ignoring the sudden urge to throw up. I had a feeling these headaches were heading to migraine territory, and I made a mental note to call my doctors about them. “But your dad will be home so soon.” I crossed my fingers, hoping that was true. He had been rather timely this last week, walking in around five o'clock on the dot each evening. It did make me wonder just how far the office was. “Can you wait ten more minutes?”

He sighed dramatically enough I had to hold back a laugh. I had a feeling that wouldn’t help the conversation. Finally, he nodded slightly and gave me a soft smile. “Okay, but can we ask him when he’s home?”

I nodded. “Of course. The minute he walks through the door.”

River smiled wider, his dimple popping out, and turned back to the coffee table where I had his coloring supplies set up. Lexington had mentioned River was in a coloring phase, and he hadn’t been wrong. My bedroom had four of River’s creations on the walls. They weren’t the most artistic, and in truth, I couldn’t figure out what any of them were of, but they made me smile nonetheless.

I lay back on the couch, fishing my phone out of my pocket to shoot off a text to Lexington.

Me: Heads up, your kid wants to play baseball when you’re home.

Lexington: Hopefully he won’t break a window like a certain someone.

Me: I blame you. But I can also pay for it, like I offered. Multiple times, I might add.

Lexington: Like you said, it’s my fault. I took you out there; I pay the bills. It’s really no big deal. I’m leaving now, should be home in less than five.

Me: Drive safe.

I pocketed my phone. I usually ignored the damned thing, but Lexington had shown me how to mute most notifications and block numbers, too. I was inundated with phone calls from journalists, police officers, detectives, and even the run-of-the-mill true-crime-obsessed enthusiasts. They all wanted a piece of my story, of myself, but I didn’t have enough to give any away.

It did make me wonder how the investigation was going. I had been interviewed by a detective when I was first found—Darren. He had insisted I call him that. He was leading up the investigation into my and Silas’s abduction and imprisonment, but I hadn’t spoken to him since I was in the hospital. He had reached out, but I didn’t know what else to say. He felt like another person I was letting down simply because I couldn’t remember. I felt that way about everyone: Fai, Jackie, Oliver; these incredible people who obviously cared. It was too hard to see them when I felt like I was letting them down. Silas; he deserved the best from me, for me to protect him, but I didn’t know how. And Darren, the detective who just wanted to help and I was ignoring.

Lexington and River had become my only solace—the only people I could simply be around without preconceived notions of who I should be.

But I did want to know how the investigation was going. I wanted to put this chapter behind me, but I knew I couldn’t until I knew I was safe. I could unblock Darren, but I wasn’t sure I could face him.

The sound of the front door unlocking caught my attention, and I sat up just enough to see over the couch back as Lexington came through the front door.

He had a hoodie on today, a deep green that matched his eyes and complemented his skin. He was a beautiful man, though I wasn’t sure if he would like that descriptor. Who was I kidding? He would preen like a peacock under the praise.

“Welcome home,” I greeted, collapsing back down onto the couch.

River whipped his gaze around, seeing Lexington. “Daddy! Can we go play outside?”

Lexington laughed at his son—the sound warm and comforting for me to hear—and nodded. “We can, after dinner.” He turned to me and dropped his bag to the floor. “I ordered Chinese. Hope that’s cool.”

I threw him a thumbs-up, and River happily ran to his dad. I listened to the two chat back and forth as I closed my eyes, sinking further into the couch. I had no intention of falling asleep, but let myself drift to the cusp of slumber. It was the only way I found real rest these days. The headache finally began to wane now that I didn’t have to watch River like a hawk, the pressure behind my eyes beginning to cease.

My legs were lifted up from the couch, and I squinted an eye open to watch Lexington maneuver under my legs, sitting next to me on the couch and resting my legs on top of his muscled thighs.

“Where’s River?” I asked.

“Distracted in his room with his stuffed animals for a minute. It will probably last only a few minutes, so be warned,” he explained with a smirk before his gaze grew concerned. “Another headache?”

I nodded.

He let out a sigh. “You need to call your doctor about these, Goldie.”

“I know,” I said on an exhale. “I will tomorrow.”

He accepted my words and sank into the couch next to me, his long legs now resting on the coffee table in front of us, right on top of his son's artwork. He closed his eyes, resting his head on the back of the couch next to me. We sat in companionable silence for a moment, the sound of rain and River playing in the background a soothing backdrop.

It was all so domestic, and I felt something within my heart stir gratefully. I took the moment to examine Lexington. His hair was cropped short at the sides, his curls a finger-length at the top. His hair was a deeper brown, and I caught hints of copper in the strands that matched his copper skin. I could feel the strength of his thighs under my legs, and I wondered just how strong he was. I knew he worked out a few times a week, but I was curious about the payoff. I wished I could see his eyes; I was always entranced by them. I wondered why they were the only thing I could remember, but I was beginning to accept that I would never know.

“Lexington?”