Free Sapphire Universe by Devon Herrera Page B

Connor?” I say reaching up to cup his face.  He leans into my hand and kisses my palm.
    “You just had a nightmare and were crying and, Jesus you scared the shit out of me…and you’re asking me if I’m okay?”  He shakes his head and closes his eyes.  “You are one strange woman Nina Ryan.”
    I let go of his face and reach up to feel my wet cheeks.  I didn’t even realize I had been crying.  All I cared about was making sure Connor was okay.  This is getting complicated.  I sigh and look up at him. 
    “Let me go get washed up.  You go make the cider.”  He searches my eyes and I think he’s looking for reassurance that I’m really okay.  He must have found it, because he nods and turns to head for the bedroom door.  After taking a few steps, he turns to look at me.
    “Take your time getting ready Nina, because when you’re done, we have some things to talk about.”  Before I can say a word, he turns and walks out.
    I take a deep breath and slide out of the covers.  Holy hell! As soon as I stand up, my head pounds and my vision swims and I have to put a hand on the bed to get my bearings.  I drank a whole bottle of tequila last night.  With Connor.  This cannot be good.  I grab some yoga pants and a t shirt and head for the bathroom.  I’m not feeling very ambitious in the fashion department today.  As soon as the hot spray of water hits me, I want to stay in there forever, because it feels so good and because the memories from last night slowly start to come back to me.
      Connor and I laughing at the movie and doing impersonations.  Me putting my head in Connor’s lap and staring into his eyes and telling him that he has the most beautiful sapphires I’ve ever seen.  Him running his fingers through my hair and telling me I have an amazing voice and he wants me to sing to him every day for the rest of his life.  Oh shit!  Finally, the absolute worst.   Me throwing up in the toilet while Connor holds my hair and rubs my back.  Then helping me put my pajamas on and I tell him that it’s so nice to be taken care of again.  That I hadn’t been taken care of since …FUCK… since my parents died . 
    I bang my head on the wall, “this is so screwed up.” I say to myself.  Once again I’m getting ready in my bathroom preparing to face the music.  I don’t dry my hair or put on makeup, but I do brush my teeth.  I really, really hate tequila.
    When I step out of the bathroom and see that Connor isn’t in the living room, I make my way to the kitchen.  He’s sitting at my smal l table and sipping a mug.  I pad my way over to him and he silently pushes a second mug to the other side of the table.  I take my seat and a tentative sip while I wait for him to speak.
    “So.” He says. 
    “So.” I repeat.  We both smile and he shakes his head.
    “Do you remember anything?”  He asks me warily. 
    “Everything.” I say wryly.
    “Good.  That makes this easier.  You were pretty gone last night.  I was worried you wouldn’t.”  I just nod my head , not wanting to interrupt.  “I was buzzing pretty good too though.”  He says that like it means something.  The “rest of my life” comment??  “First off, I know you’re the most freaked out over you finally telling me about your family.  Nina, I want you to know that I am so sorry you had to go through that.  When I lost my mom…” he strays off, “I couldn’t imagine losing both.  We almost thought with dad’s cancer…but he made it.”  He shakes his head and looks completely genuine. 
    This is fascinating and it makes my chest hurt.  I keep waiting to see that look of pity that is so familiar to me cross his face or for him to start babbling about how they are in a better place.  “Mostly, I wanted to say that I know something happened to you.  Something bad.  Maybe it has to do with your parents, or maybe it’s something else.  I don’t know.  But Nina,” he reaches over and grabs my