Shane nodded silently and moved to get up, bringing Carmen along with her. Their heads and feet felt heavy as they made their way to Shane’s bedroom. When they walked into the room, Shane stopped to close the door but Carmen kept walking until she got to the bed and collapsed onto it.

The taller woman turned around towards her bed and saw Carmen lying flat on her back with her legs dangling over the edge. ‘Fuck. What have I done?’ She moved towards her girlfriend and lay on her back beside the tired form. Carmen immediately rolled over towards her and draped her arm and leg across Shane, burying her head in the crook of her neck. Shane wrapped her arms protectively around Carmen, thanking the stars that her girlfriend wasn’t repulsed by her.

“I’m so sorry.”

Shane’s eyes widened in shock as she stared down at Carmen. “Carmen, what are you talking about baby?”

“I’m sorry about Casey, about this whole thing.”

“If you’re trying to apologize for her saving my life then you need to stop right there. None of this is your fault. It’s mine.”

“You didn’t know he was going to do this Shane it’s not your fault either.”

‘But I did, sort of.’ Shane’s body tensed slightly and she tightened her hold on Carmen.

Carmen’s body went rigid in Shane’s embrace as she raised her head to look her in the eye. “You didn’t. Did you?”

Shane just stared back at her, the defensive walls going up at break-neck speed.

Carmen slipped out of Shane’s arms and sat up on her knees, staring down at the woman who she loved to death but frustrated her to no end. She sighed deeply and ran a hand through her tangled hair. “So you knew he was coming?”

“No. He called and made an offer earlier but I didn’t take it.” Shane replied as she sat up.

“What offer?”

“Nothing.” She answered as she got up and moved towards her dresser to replace the bloodied shirt she still had on.

Carmen’s eyes followed Shane’s form with an added look of disbelief on her face, “Bullshit Shane.” she retorted harshly.