Exhaust by Skye Callahan

Author:Skye Callahan [Skye Callahan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Skye Callahan
Published: 2021-10-05T00:00:00+00:00

“The methadone should last you a few days,” Carter said as we pulled up the alley behind my apartment building.

“Got it,” I muttered, climbing out, then I let Isabella out of the backseat.

“Call if you need anything. We’ll get you what you need soon.”

“Hope so.” I slammed the door. The city air was thick but cool. My house would have been my preferred choice—less accessible and quieter, but at the same time less protected.

And all of Aubrey’s stuff was still there.

I wasn’t ready to pack it up or move it around. It was too much like what had happened after Katrin’s death.

I walked slowly toward the back door, typed in my access code and pulled open the heavy steel and glass door. Isabella followed me in and to the elevator. We attracted the stares of a few people in the lobby as we waited—including one of the maintenance men—since dogs weren’t typically allowed. But no one said a word as we climbed on the elevator and headed to the top floor of the building.

The night passed in a restless haze. Sleeping, but not really separated from reality, my doubts and dreams melded into one huge seamless barrage of images and waves of emotion I couldn’t escape.

The methadone may have dulled most of the physical withdrawal symptoms and eased my nerves, but it sure as hell wasn’t a replacement for being numb.

I tossed and turned so much through the night that Isabella moved to the floor to sleep.

A soft knocking noise finally roused me around mid-morning.

“Colt?” I heard a light female voice and another series of knocks.

I dragged myself out of bed—getting up to face the day had to be better than the endless torture of being half-asleep—and stumbled through the living room. Even though I thought I recognized the voice, I didn’t trust any of my own senses, so I checked the peephole. Lexi stood in the middle of the hall, and from what I could tell from my limited viewpoint, she was alone.

I opened the door and quickly glanced around. “Lexi?”

“It’s about damn time,” she said, pushing by me and into the apartment.

I closed and dead bolted the door. “What’d you have an alarm set for when I set foot in the building?”

“Half the town has been looking for you. I offered Donny a little tip to let me know any time someone showed up at your apartment. Imagine my surprise when he said you strolled into the lobby late last night. But if I know you’re back, I guarantee I’m not alone.”

Donny. Damn maintenance man should learn to keep his mouth shut. “I figured that much. What can I do for you?”

Lexi scanned the room as if she was expecting to see something. Or someone else. “Is Aubrey okay?”

I clenched my jaw, wondering how many times I would have to go over this. And hoping that eventually the words would come easier. “She’s gone. End of story.”

“Gone, but not dead? Or—”

“I don’t want to talk about her.”

Lexi withdrew at the sound of my words.

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