One to Save (One to Hold 6)

I want to call her. I want to shake her. I want to pull her to me and hold her until these fears in her melt away. Sloan put them there, and now from beyond the grave, his ghost still threatens us. I can barely take the thought, and I pull the cork out with my teeth. God, what am I? A fucking pirate?

Setting the phone on the end table, I pour until the tumbler is full. Fuck control. Fuck sensibility. I’m killing the pain tonight.

Leaning back on the sofa, my head drops back against the leather. I haven’t checked in with anybody. I haven’t answered the calls from Patrick. I’m sure Elaine told him I was there, but fuck if I feel like discussing it.

Another long pull, and the tumbler is half empty. Behind me, I hear the noise of my front door open. I expect it to be Star bringing Cammie back for the night, but the voice is my partner’s.

“Patrick suspected you drove back.” Stuart walks into the living room and takes the bergere facing me. “How long you been in?”

Lifting the tumbler, I finish my drink. “Five, ten minutes.”

His eyes move from my hand holding the glass to my face. “That bad?”

“Shittier than bad.” Leaning forward, I take the vodka and start pouring again.

“Give me some of that.” He leans forward and catches the bottle before I’ve topped off my cup. Walking past he goes to the kitchen, and I drink while he fishes out another glass. “Did you talk to her?”

“She compared me to her fucking ex.”

“The abuser?” Stuart’s back, taking the seat across from me, keeping the bottle closer to him on the coffee table.

“One and the same.”

“She knows better than that.”

We’re both quiet. He’s nursing his drink, but I lean back and polish mine off then reach across for more. Before I grab it, he’s picked the bottle up and is pouring more for himself. My brows lower as I watch. If he’s trying to piss me off...

“Why don’t you come into the office tomorrow,” he says. “It’ll take your mind off things.”

“Why don’t you fucking back off.”

He actually has the nerve to chuckle.

“Don’t fuck with me, Stuart. I’m in no mood.”

“You don’t have to tell me,” he leans back, holding his glass. “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you this way.”

“Buckle up. It’s about to get worse.”

“Strike that.” He’s in my way again, holding the bottle so I can’t refill my glass. “I’ve never seen you this way.”

“Fill it up,” I growl, slamming down my tumbler.

He opens the bottle, but he only pours a shot. “This isn’t going to change anything. It’s only going to make you feel like shit.”

“I already feel like shit. This is going to keep me from trashing this condo.”

He stands and goes to the kitchen. “What about Cammie and Star?”

I’m leaning forward now, shoving my hands into the front of my hair, gripping the sides of my skull. “She asked for the key. She tried to give back her necklace. I’m surprised she didn’t think of her engagement ring.”

“Give her time. She’ll think of it.”

“Whose fucking side are you on?”

He walks back and leans against the wall of windows facing me. “I’ve only been around Melissa a few times, but I can tell she loves you. You crossed a line.”

“She keeps saying it’s over.” Dropping my hands, I stare at my fists. “If she says that one more time.”