Chapter 18. Lost a Game He Never Played

KROSS

I felt strange when I woke up this morning. And I was also alarmed. I had woken up late, which was very unusual for me. I woke up before the sun no matter the time I slept the night before.

And I felt strange because I was… relaxed. No muscles ached. My head wasn’t heavy even though I hadn’t taken coffee yet.

I looked down at my injured hand. It was already healed, the only sign there was ever a wound was a red mark. I could still remember the softness and warmth of her hand as she held my hand like it was something precious.

The only person who had ever held me like that was… Mother. I cleared my throat when it tightened, getting off the bed and heading to the bathroom.

That was last night. I had been tired, therefore opening myself to vulnerability. But I was well rested now, and that was past me.

***

When I went downstairs, Kade and Axel were already in the living room, and they both turned to me, eyebrows raised.

“Odd,” Kade