Revive Me, Part One: The Act (New Haven, #2)

by J.L. Seegars

Dark. Dangerous. Lethal.

No this was giving kind, thoughtful, empathetic!

It’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me, and, though I have no way of knowing this for sure, my biggest mistake.

He thinks we’re all too emotional and irrational for the field, which is hilarious considering how he’s the one constantly throwing tantrums about classroom designations, course offerings and teaching assistant assignments.

Why are men??

“You can always stand while you beg me for forgiveness. Save that whole getting on your knees thing for Eric.”

What a weird thing to say about your brother 😷

“Your obvious infatuation with Mr. Johnson brings me to my next point. Perhaps, I should thank your hormones for the smooth transition.”

Bro WTF 😂

“I wasn’t planning on it, but apparently Dr. Brennan decided to take a sabbatical and we got stuck with him.”

People dont just decide to take a sabbatical. Something must have happened to her

That moment plays on a constant loop in my mind, suspended in a slow, viscous syrup of delight that doesn’t come close to the sweet perfection that was us.

Start today, send her a gift to let her know you appreciate her showing your sister how to be a woman of worth. I’ll even deposit a few thousand in your bank account, so you can make it nice.”

GROSS

Dad likes women who will placate him, make him feel strong and powerful even when he can’t manage to make it to a simple dinner with his oldest friends without her telling him what time to leave the house.

Pathetic

And then, even though I already know it’s him, my gaze travels up his neck, noting the presence of the first Adam’s apple I ever found attractive, the cleft in his chin I always adored, and smiling brown eyes that turned dark and cruel when I told him I changed my mind about losing my virginity. The bony, ice-cold fingers of dread and fear slip around my throat, but still I manage to choke out one word as my nightmares slither out of the shadows of my mind and take shape in the harsh light of reality. “Trent.”

Fuck

It would be just my luck that the one time Chris lets me have the last word, I feel like shit for taking it.

No you were right!!

Slipping his wallet back into his back pocket, he meets my eyes, lifting an inquisitive brow. “Ready, princess?”

Hell yes I am! 👸

Tears burn at the back of my eyes, but they don’t fall. They never do. All the crying I do for my mother is reserved for my dreams.

She reaches across the table, her elegant fingers grasping my hand. I turn my palm over, resting my knuckles against the cold linoleum table while the feel of Mallory’s skin against mine makes irreparable changes to the structure of my DNA. It’s like she’s writing herself into my very being.

it all started with the kiss—that was followed by a triumphant shout from Sloane the Instigator—and

😂

It feels weird, accepting their congratulations and encouraging their excitement, but it’s all part of the job. A requirement of the roles we signed up to play. And I’d rather let them believe that I’m happy and in love than have them know the ugly truth.

we’re talking about making our relationship known to a racist and sexist asshole

When was he depicted as racist?

“The way she did love you,” I correct her gently. “You didn’t get the chance to know her, but she knew you. She carried you for nine months, felt every kick and turn and hiccup before you even took your first breath outside the womb. She laughed at you and sung to you and plotted a big, beautiful life for her baby girl. You’re everything she could have ever dreamed of, of course she loved you.”

sobbing, screaming, throwing up

I haven’t told him about the gym, or the new, nastier messages Trent has been sending, because I didn’t want to have another conversation about how he doesn’t think I can take care of myself.

He has literally never said that 🤦‍♀️

“Which only further proves that you are not concerned about a moved deadline or distracted students, you are out to punish me, a BLACK WOMAN, for something you probably haven’t even had the balls to bring up to my male counterpart.”

GET HIM GIRL!!!!

“Second of all, you are always more than welcome to drive my car,

The way shes driving?? Are you mental??

A fierce pang of jealousy goes through at the sound of her name on his lips. It sounds too right. Like she belongs there, in his mouth, on his tongue.

I feel the moment the tear drops. The hot liquid plopping onto the cotton of my shirt and soaking through until it hits my chest, marking my heart with her sadness.

“One of the resorts close to the parks. We’ll have separate rooms, of course.”

NO!!

but I have to be sure I understand what he’s saying.

WHAT IS THERETO UNDERSTAND????

No nightmares. No strangled cries from my mother’s ghost. Just the peaceful perfection of a heart that’s finally found its home.

Our twin bond doesn’t need much maintenance. Even though we never have, I’ve always known we could go days or weeks without seeing each other, and nothing between us would change. That suspicion was proved to be correct when we took over Chris’ kitchen, playing music loudly, laughing and joking, and reminiscing over our childhood days when Mama used to make us both sit at the table in the kitchen and clean greens with damp dishcloths. We always divided the stack and raced to see who could finish first.

“How’s Teresa doing?” I ask. He narrows his eyes, and I can’t help but smile. “I’m not deflecting. I just need a little more time to figure out exactly what I’m feeling.”

This dialogue doesnt feel natural especially not for someone whos never been to therapy

“I know, but the thought of you leaving when we’ve just gotten started makes me…” I can’t finish the sentence because all the words that might come next would be far too serious for where we are in this relationship.

What happened to its easy to let it flow?

“Are we done fighting?” “I think so. Although, it was more like wrestling. You took it easy on me.”

Boo i was hoping for more!

“Okayyyy,” I say slowly. “Do you want to tell me what’s in it?”

Why the sass?? They just came from a funeral