When Darkness Falls(37)

“Of course not.”

Haley felt more disturbed by the idea that Devon was worrying about this than at anything Lydia said. Staying indoors all the time had affected him more than she’d imagined.

“I don’t know why Lydia would say those things to you, but they’re crazy. I can’t imagine accusing someone I cared about of murder. She must have a lot problems of her own.”

“She does. Always has. But you’re forgetting something. What about my sleepwalking?”

Devon’s hair had fallen over one eye, and Haley reached over and pushed it back. “I realize being a psych major makes me completely not qualified to diagnose anyone, but I did learn that people under hypnosis can’t be made to do anything they wouldn’t otherwise do. It has to be the same for sleepwalking. Is that why you were so worried about telling me this? Or did you think I’d be mad Lydia stayed here?”

“I was afraid you’d think I’d asked her to come. Knowing you’d be away.”

“You wouldn’t. I know that.”

“Okay.” He closed his eyes and sighed. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“Understanding. About everything.” He trailed one finger along the inside of her bare arm.

“You’re welcome.”

Devon kissed her. “Are we okay?”

Haley hesitated, but nodded. Devon pressed his lips to her shoulder. “God, I’ve missed you.”

Minutes later, his breath hot on her skin, Devon pulled Haley to the floor and shoved the towel out of the way. Still kissing her, he rolled on top of her, pinning her arms above her head, holding her legs down with his. The wood floor felt hard beneath the small bones in her wrists. Haley closed her eyes and let the feel of Devon’s body on hers, the pressure of his hands, his tongue in her mouth, become everything. He withdrew, lifted her, and spun her so she bent over the couch. Its cushions scratched her face. Haley breathed the dusty cloth smell and lost herself in his rhythm. He dragged his nails down her back. She gasped at the feel of his tongue on her skin an instant later. They climaxed together.

“I hurt you,” Devon said, his voice hushed. He pulled away.

“It stings a little, that’s all,” she said. They lay on the couch together.

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine.” Haley wondered why it bothered him so much, but she had a hard time focusing on the thought. Her mind and all her muscles had relaxed, as if she were melting into the sofa. Into Devon.

“I’d never want to hurt you.”

Haley’s eyes snapped open. “Do you think you’re going to?”

“No. Of course not.”

Haley drifted into sleep. A long time later, she half-woke as Devon carried her to bed and kissed her goodnight. In the morning, her alarm went off. Devon slept through it next to her, hair damp, smelling of Nexus shampoo. He must have showered after she’d gone to sleep. He didn’t wake before she left.

On the way home from work that day, Haley bought a cheap bottle of Merlot at the Printer’s Row Wine Shop despite their strained budget. When she got inside the apartment, she called Devon’s name. There was no answer, and she remembered he had an appointment with Dr. Richardson tonight. He should be home soon. She took the wine into the kitchen and smiled when she saw a note on the refrigerator door.

Until she read the first line: “Dear Haley, I’m sorry, but I had to leave.”





Chapter Sixteen


Dear Haley, I’m sorry, but I had to leave. I’m convinced now that something is wrong with me, more than what we talked about last night. I’m afraid of hurting you if I stay here. I don’t think the doctors have answers, I don’t think the psychiatrist has answers. Only Lydia might. The last time I felt right was before I went to see her. I told you we had that one night together, what I didn’t tell you is I can’t remember most of it. But that’s when my problems started. If I find out what happened, I’ll find out what’s wrong with me. This must not make sense to you, but I need to do it. For me and for you.

It’s too much to ask, but I hope you can understand.

All my love,

Devon





Chapter Seventeen


Haley gripped the edge of the counter and fought the urge to vomit. Devon could not have left. Just like that. She read the note again, and then slammed it down. It slipped from the counter and drifted to the floor, buoyed by the breeze from the one open window.

This could not be.

Lydia had manipulated Devon somehow, convinced him that she could help him where Haley could not. Haley paced to the refrigerator, opened the door, and stared at the food inside as if it had answers.

She slammed the refrigerator shut. It wasn’t Lydia she should blame. Lydia hadn’t married Haley. Lydia possessed no reason to be loyal to Haley. Lydia did not love Haley. Devon did, or claimed to. Had promised to. But what did that mean, now that he’d left?

Her phone rang and Haley grabbed it, not looking at the caller ID. But it was Tom, not Devon.

“I—Tom—it’s nice to hear from you, but I can’t talk. Not now.”

“Are you all right?”

“I just—Devon just—well, he left town. Unexpectedly.”

“Oh.”