Unhinge - Calia Read Page 0,24
deviously at me. “A madness shared by two.”
Before I can answer, Amber turns around and shoots Reagan a glare filled with hatred. “Can you not talk so fucking loud?”
“Of course I can not talk so fucking loud but where’s the fun in that?”
Amber makes a grab at Reagan’s popcorn, prompting one of the nurses to stand up. “Girls,” she warns.
“We’re good, we’re good,” Reagan says. She gives the nurse a charming smile.
The nurse sits back and for the first time tonight, Reagan’s quiet for a few minutes. I think it’s a personal best for her. For all her hate of this movie, her eyes never stray from the screen. But I still can’t focus on a damn thing. I keep thinking about my conversation with my mother today. When I told her not to come back I really hoped she would relent and tell me that she does believe me. That she’ll stick by me as I slowly replay my past.
Did I expect too much from her? Maybe. But I think that maybe I thought too little of myself. Automatically, I want to assume that this burden is impossible for me to handle.
“Why are you scared? You’re the bravest person I know.”
Gasping, I turn around. Truly expecting to see Sinclair behind me. But he’s not.
The movie drones on. Evelyn is fast asleep and soon I’m starting to nod off, when behind me I hear voices. One female, the other male. Within seconds I’m sitting up straight and twisting around. I know that voice. It strikes a chord in me.
My heart is beating like a drum as I take in Sinclair. He’s standing next to the front entrance, talking to one of the nurses. He’s quickly talking. Kate’s face is set in a grim line, but she’s not completely shutting him down. I requested for Dr. Calloway to take his name off the restricted list, but did she follow through? God, I hope so.
“What are you looking at? You’re sup…” Reagan’s voice trails off as she turns around. “Ah. Tall, dark, and dangerous. No need to explain.”
“His name’s Sinclair.”
There’s really no reason to say that, but I like his name coming from my lips. It feels right.
My eyes slide to Reagan. “Have you seen him here before?”
She nods. “A lot of times.”
I try to hide my smirk by kissing Evelyn’s head. The thought of someone seeking me out, of wanting to see me, makes me feel less alone. Gives me more hope to continue forward. But there’s something else attached to this feeling. Something I don’t recognize and can’t explain.
Susan steps into the dayroom and gestures for me to come over. I stand up, suddenly feeling awkward. I can feel multiple sets of eyes, but I feel Sinclair’s the most. His stare makes my skin feel like it’s about to go up in flames.
“You have a visitor,” Susan whispers. “But make it quick. Visiting hours are over at—”
“At seven. Yes, I know.”
She shrugs and walks back to the nurses’ station. I follow behind her; the bright lights of the hall make me squint. Once my eyes adjust, I look over at Sinclair. The hallway’s empty, leaving the two of us all alone.
I have no idea what to say. I may physically react to him, but that doesn’t make up for the fact that this is the second time we’re meeting.
He smiles. Just smiles and yet it does something to me. This smile isn’t the same smile he gave the nurse a few days ago. And it isn’t a friendly smile. It’s intimate, as though years of my life are behind that smile. It all seems ridiculous. Inconceivable. Impossible.
“How are you?” he asks quietly.
Psych Ward 101: Everyone and anyone will ask you how you’re doing. It’s up to you to find a go-to response that will satisfy them all.
But I don’t want to use that response with Sinclair so I say: “I’ve been better.”
A look of pure concern covers his face. “What’s wrong? Is everything okay?”
A male patient in the dayroom twists in his chair and shushes us obnoxiously. I glare at him.
Sinclair gestures to an area right next to the front doors. “Want to go over there?”
I nod and he lets me walk in front of him. Sinclair slips up beside me, his arm pressed against mine. Warmth shoots down my arm, straight to my fingertips. I fix my eyes forward even though I can feel his eyes on me.
My mind is racing a mile a minute.
Ask him about his sister!
No,