Shade moved quietly, stacking every pillow he could find and layering a thick blanket over the floor next to where I was still sobbing. He crouched low, smoothed a corner out, then reached for the one behind me.
I didn't look up. My face burned. My chest felt split in two. I couldn't stop the shaking, no matter how deep I breathed.
He coaxed softly, not touching me, just shifting close enough to make it clear what he wanted. He nodded toward the blanket pile. "Come on. Just lay down."
I didn't answer. I just crawled onto the pillows and buried my face.
He dropped onto his side and propped himself up on one elbow. He didn't say anything at first. Just watched me with that tired look that said he'd seen this before. He shifted slowly, resting his head against the pillow, then reached out
