Page 10 of We're All Liars

All I can do is wrap my arms around her and pull her to me. The disoriented look on her face is just so agonizing, and I don’t know how to fix this. But I can promise her one thing. “She won’t ever forget your name.”

I lose track of time while I keep her wrapped in my arms. When she releases me, I tell her, “Let’s try to get some sleep.”

For the first time in as long as I can remember, Morgan doesn’t argue, refuse, or tell me to fuck off. So, we climb into bed together, and I hook an arm around her to hold her securely against me. Her face is shielded from my view, resting on my chest. It’s probably an hour or so before I feel her fully relax. With her breathing evening out, she drifts off. In no time, I doze off too. Exhausted, worried, and defeated but happy to have her with me.

Only, when I wake a few hours later, she’s not in the bed and nowhere to be found.

11

MORGAN

Cade hurries out of the café and onto the patio as he gasps, “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”

“You found me.” I stay seated, looking out at the river.

He sucks in a few more strangled breaths as he sits beside me. “Why didn’t you answer my calls or one of the fifty messages I sent you?”

“Why aren’t you in better shape, Mr. QB?” I try to sound bitchy, but I know I sound drained. Because I am. And don’t feel like doing this right now. And obviously Cade doesn’t either. Because he just keeps a pointedAre you serious?stare on me.

In response, he pulls out his phone, clicks around for a few seconds, then shoves it back in his pocket. “You don’t have to answer me, but can you at least spare Ryder. He’s been worried about you.”

I take a sip of my coffee. “I don’t know where my phone is. But thanks for the concern. I’m good.”

“Yeah. Sure.” Shoving the chair back, he heads into the café. I expect him to leave, but instead, he returns with two paper cups in hand and sets one next to me.

“I have a drink already.” I hold up my cup.

“And now you have two. Because I know you don’t plan on leaving this seat for a while.” He gestures out to the water. “Still have about thirty minutes before the ferry starts running, right? Or we counting tugboats?”

How the fuck does he remember that? Shit. I’ve barely given it any thought over the last few years. Especially after Pawpaw passed, because it was him who always enjoyed having coffee on the Riverwalk with Ryder and me. Until Cade became part of the tradition.

“I don’t want to do this, Cade.”

He casually sips his coffee as he glances out the window. “Do what?”

“Us. Moment’s passed. I’m fine. Just had a little episode last night. Now, it’s all out of my system.”

“That’s your excuse for running away this morning?”

“I don’t need an excuse. Or an explanation. I need to be left alone.” I’m still trying to figure out last night. But every time I even think about it, the feelings start returning. The dread, the weakness, the fear. But the sound of Emma crying for help was worst of all. Because I can’t feel that way too. And the more terrified she sounded, the more panicked and pathetic I felt.

Cade doesn’t make a move to leave, just sits silently. I get it. He’s worried because of my meltdown last night. And I’m not surprised. SuperCade has to save everyone. But he can’t save me.

12

CADE

“Why are you still here?”

Not exactly the question I want to hear from her. But I’m glad she’s finally speaking after the last twenty minutes of silence. I know I shouldn’t push my luck with her. But I will. Because the silent treatment feels crueler than her hateful words. “You know why I’m here.”

The response doesn’t seem to hit a nerve because she just blankly stares over the river and resumes her muteness for a solid two minutes before she mutters, “No, I don’t.”

Instead of trying to snap her out of her hushed trance, I detour and go the simple route. Coffee. Standing, I grab my empty mug. “I’m going to get a refill. Want anything?”

She slowly turns to look at me, exhaustion on her face and in her tone. “I don’t understand.” I hear the confusion in her voice. It sounds too soft to have come from Morgan, but it had.

Wanting to know more than anything what’s going to her mind, I ask, “Don’t understand what?”