Everybody round me appears to be taking this higher than I’m. I’ve left one jail, entered one other, and now I’m on lockdown, with yet one more risk hanging over my head. I ought to simply put on a goal and say, “Catch me in case you can, assholes.”

“Okay, we’ll be again to see you tomorrow. In case you want something, simply tell us.” My mother stands up and leans over my mattress to hug and kiss me.

I missed my mother’s hugs. She provides the most effective heat cuddles ever. It didn’t matter why I used to be upset once I was rising up; a couple of minutes in my mother’s arms and I felt weightless.

“Care for one another.”

“We are going to.” My mother turns to Clay. “Care for my woman.”

Clay leans down and kisses my mother’s cheek. “No have to ask me such a factor, Mhairi.”

It’s touching to see the connection Clay has constructed with my household since I’ve been away. Clay solely met my dad and mom twice once I was round. This bond has come from my absence. Their grief.

As soon as the final individual exits my room, Clay turns to me. He stands a number of toes away from the mattress and lowers his backpack from his again. I didn’t discover it earlier than.

“How are you feeling?”

I shrug. “Bored. Ineffective.”

“You’re not ineffective, babe. This tunnel has a lightweight on the finish of it.”

“Come and lie with me. Everybody has given me a headache.”

I transfer over the mattress as finest I can, and Clay kicks off his footwear. He lowers himself beside me and wraps his arms round me. I really feel secure in Clay’s arms. That has by no means modified, and I doubt it ever will.

“I missed you while you went dwelling,” I say.

“I missed you too. I by no means need to spend one second with out you… ever.”

“We’ll be okay, gained’t we?”

“You will have Chicago’s finest safety group in your aspect. In fact we’ll be okay. Get some sleep. I’ll be proper right here while you get up.”

I snuggle my head into Clay’s shoulder, smelling his masculine aftershave. The identical aftershave I liked years in the past. I’m completely happy that some issues have remained unchanged.

Supply: www.seynovel.com