Fractured Sky (Tattered & Torn #5)(79)

He looked up and met my gaze dead-on. “Out of the dark?”

I gripped his hand in a half shake. “Out of the dark.”





39





SHILOH





Hadley’s eyes narrowed on me as I moved around the kitchen, cleaning up. “You’re glowing.”

I froze for the briefest of moments before continuing to load plates into the dishwasher. “Must be that new skincare regimen I’m on.”

She snorted. “Please. I can barely get you to use sunscreen.”

I bit back my smile as I continued with my task. “I’ve actually become partial to bubble baths lately.” But only when Ramsey was involved.

Hadley stared at me, blinking a few times. “Bubble baths?”

I shrugged. “They’re relaxing.”

“I know that, but you haven’t taken one since you were like seven.” She pinched my arm.

“Hey! What was that for?”

“Just checking to see if you’re real. I was beginning to wonder if you were some AI that had replaced my sister.”

I glared at her. “I’m very real, thank you very much. But if I were an AI, I’d take you out first for that pinch.”

Hadley didn’t laugh as I’d expected. “You were attacked yesterday, and this morning you were basically singing as you served brunch. You didn’t get annoyed when Mom started probing. You agreed to host a bridal shower for Everly with me. Who are you, and what have you done with my prickly but beloved sister?”

I straightened, leaning back against the counter. “I’m happy.”

It really was that simple. Ramsey had given me the kind of joy I’d never thought to have. And not simply because I was in a relationship, but because he’d opened my eyes to so much. He’d helped me find the bravery to step into the unknown, and what was on the other side of that was more beautiful than I ever could’ve imagined.

Hadley sucked in a breath as her eyes filled with tears.

Panic gripped me. “Shit, Hads. Don’t cry.”

“You’re happy.”

“Yes?” I said it like a question, unsure if that would make her dissolve further.

She launched herself at me, pulling me into a hard hug. “I’ve seen the changes in you, little by little, but I can see it all now. You’re living again.”

I hugged my sister back, relishing the fact that I felt no grating sensation across my skin, no desire to pull free. I could enjoy this closeness with Hadley. “I am. And there’s no going back.”

“I’m so glad,” she whispered hoarsely.

“Love you, Hads.”

“I love you, too. More than I can say.”

She released me and stepped back, her gaze sweeping over me. Her eyes widened a fraction. “Did you sleep with him?”

Hadley’s question came out as more of a shriek, and I clamped a hand over her mouth as my face flamed. “Will you be quiet? Mom is right outside.” Kai had conned her into a never-ending game of fetch, but she could come in at any moment.

Hadley’s eyes widened further. “You did!”

Thankfully, my hand muffled her words, but I still glared at her. “Are you thirteen?”

She pulled my hand away. “No, I’m not thirteen, but I am nosy as hell. Was it good? Ramsey seems like he’s the strong, silent type. Or maybe he’s a secret dirty talker.”

I pressed my hands over my ears and started humming. “I can’t hear you.”

Hadley grinned. “So, it’s the dirty talk.”

“Will you please stop talking?”

“I thought you couldn’t hear me.”

I scowled at her. “Apparently, your voice could cut through soundproof walls.”

Hadley’s grin stretched into a smile. “I like to make sure I’m heard.”

I groaned. “No one could ever miss a word.”

She threw an arm over my shoulder. “I’m happy for you, Shy.”

The heat in my face was back. “It feels weird to say thank you to that.”

Hadley barked out a laugh. “You should always say thank you for good dick. That spirit of gratitude will only bring more into your life.”

My nose scrunched up. “You just had to take it there, didn’t you?”

She shrugged. “I’m nothing if not honest.”

“A little too honest…”

“Calder’s a beast. He does this thing—”

I clamped my hand over her mouth again. “Stop. Please, stop. I will literally give you anything you want if you just stop talking right now.”

Hadley stuck out her tongue, the tip touching my palm, and I yanked my hand away. “Gross.”

“Hey, sharing is caring.”

“Not when it comes to this.” The last thing I wanted was mental images of what my sister and Calder got up to behind closed doors. I gripped her shoulders, leaning down to meet her gaze. “For the love of all that’s holy, can we please talk about something else?”

Her shoulders slumped in defeat. “Fine. Let’s chat bridal shower. Laiken said we could do it at The Gallery. I thought that might be fun. We could do a high tea theme. Several kinds of tea, little finger sandwiches, petit fours.”