Read Online Fractured Affections (The Affections Series Book 1) by Elizabeth Wills - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Elizabeth Wills
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myself. When I would look in the mirror, I can remember the soulless eyes that stared back at me. It still hurts to think of myself that way. I just wanted to burrow into the darkness of my pain and never come out again.
Over time, the darkness was too much and the crushing pain bore down on me. It was such a heavy weight and the only release I found was through cutting. The thought of taking a fine razor blade to parts of my body that no one could see, causes a shiver to run down my spine. I was that lost, but Dalton was there like a knight in shining armor.
One day, while lost to the hollowness inside me, I took a razor deeply to my upper thigh while in the shower. I can remember the feeling of pain running from my body as the blood flowed down my leg. My bottom hit the floor hard, after sliding down the cold shower wall. I was lost in my falsely created relief when the bathroom door slammed open. The curtain was yanked back, but I could not raise my eyes. My world was folding in on itself.
Strong arms scooped me up and carried me to my room, laying me on my bed. Warm towels and blankets wrapped around me and fingers ran through my hair. After my breathing calmed, I felt a hand on my chin, turning my face to meet his. Dalton pressed his lips to my forehead for what seemed like an eternity. I closed my eyes and let my best friend’s comfort surround me. After that day he never left my side.
Every night, Dalton would sneak from his room, after his parents were asleep, and hold me while I slept. He made me breakfast every morning and made sure I went to school. He walked me to every class, while holding firmly to my hand. He was my comfort; he was my constant. I have always been able to rely on him. That has not changed over the years. He is still everything I need.
After my conversation with Striker, I’m afraid to discuss our past and what happened. It doesn’t matter anymore. I don’t want to play the “what if” game. Dalton is my husband and that will never change. I shake the memories from my head, returning to cleaning up the kitchen. I get everything put away and turn to head upstairs for a shower. As I round the corner to the hallway, I run straight into Striker. The contact catches me off guard and I let out a yelp, placing my hands on his chest to steady myself.
Striker reaches up, grabbing my wrist, withdrawing my hands from his chest. We look at each other for a minute silently, before he steps around me saying, “I’ll be back in a while. I need to go out for a bit. I’ll take it easy tonight, okay? No need for a repeat of last night. Maybe one day this week, I can take you and the boys to the go-cart track I saw the other day. What do you think?”
My mind is still in a fog from our conversion, so I respond without much thought. “Sure, Striker, the boys would love that. Have a good time out.”
Chapter Eight
Reagan
“Hey, Reagan, over here.” Riley calls across the coffee shop. I make my way through the tables, shrug out of my jacket, and take a seat across from her at the table.
“Morning, Ri. Sorry we couldn’t get together sooner. It’s been busy and stressful since Dalton left.” I reach across the table for the coffee Riley ordered for me and place it to my lips. Riley is practically bouncing out of her seat with excitement, as I take her in. She has been dying to tell me about this new man in her life for over a week and would only do so in person. “So go ahead, Ri, tell me all about him.”
“Well,” she says and tucks a strand of her hair behind her ear before continuing, “he is something. I will tell you that. We met at the bar you and I go to for drinks. I’ve never seen him there before, but he is definitely an eye catcher.”
I give a small smile, like I’m happy for her, but I know this is just another day in the life of Riley. This man will be everything she ever wanted when all he probably wanted was sex. I hate the repetitive cycle she continues to move
Over time, the darkness was too much and the crushing pain bore down on me. It was such a heavy weight and the only release I found was through cutting. The thought of taking a fine razor blade to parts of my body that no one could see, causes a shiver to run down my spine. I was that lost, but Dalton was there like a knight in shining armor.
One day, while lost to the hollowness inside me, I took a razor deeply to my upper thigh while in the shower. I can remember the feeling of pain running from my body as the blood flowed down my leg. My bottom hit the floor hard, after sliding down the cold shower wall. I was lost in my falsely created relief when the bathroom door slammed open. The curtain was yanked back, but I could not raise my eyes. My world was folding in on itself.
Strong arms scooped me up and carried me to my room, laying me on my bed. Warm towels and blankets wrapped around me and fingers ran through my hair. After my breathing calmed, I felt a hand on my chin, turning my face to meet his. Dalton pressed his lips to my forehead for what seemed like an eternity. I closed my eyes and let my best friend’s comfort surround me. After that day he never left my side.
Every night, Dalton would sneak from his room, after his parents were asleep, and hold me while I slept. He made me breakfast every morning and made sure I went to school. He walked me to every class, while holding firmly to my hand. He was my comfort; he was my constant. I have always been able to rely on him. That has not changed over the years. He is still everything I need.
After my conversation with Striker, I’m afraid to discuss our past and what happened. It doesn’t matter anymore. I don’t want to play the “what if” game. Dalton is my husband and that will never change. I shake the memories from my head, returning to cleaning up the kitchen. I get everything put away and turn to head upstairs for a shower. As I round the corner to the hallway, I run straight into Striker. The contact catches me off guard and I let out a yelp, placing my hands on his chest to steady myself.
Striker reaches up, grabbing my wrist, withdrawing my hands from his chest. We look at each other for a minute silently, before he steps around me saying, “I’ll be back in a while. I need to go out for a bit. I’ll take it easy tonight, okay? No need for a repeat of last night. Maybe one day this week, I can take you and the boys to the go-cart track I saw the other day. What do you think?”
My mind is still in a fog from our conversion, so I respond without much thought. “Sure, Striker, the boys would love that. Have a good time out.”
Chapter Eight
Reagan
“Hey, Reagan, over here.” Riley calls across the coffee shop. I make my way through the tables, shrug out of my jacket, and take a seat across from her at the table.
“Morning, Ri. Sorry we couldn’t get together sooner. It’s been busy and stressful since Dalton left.” I reach across the table for the coffee Riley ordered for me and place it to my lips. Riley is practically bouncing out of her seat with excitement, as I take her in. She has been dying to tell me about this new man in her life for over a week and would only do so in person. “So go ahead, Ri, tell me all about him.”
“Well,” she says and tucks a strand of her hair behind her ear before continuing, “he is something. I will tell you that. We met at the bar you and I go to for drinks. I’ve never seen him there before, but he is definitely an eye catcher.”
I give a small smile, like I’m happy for her, but I know this is just another day in the life of Riley. This man will be everything she ever wanted when all he probably wanted was sex. I hate the repetitive cycle she continues to move
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