Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 124451 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 622(@200wpm)___ 498(@250wpm)___ 415(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 124451 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 622(@200wpm)___ 498(@250wpm)___ 415(@300wpm)
Riley looks back at his best friend and gives him a tight smile. “You’re a lucky man, Tanner. You’ve got yourself a good girl, but it’s a shame you’ll never be able to fuck her as deep as I could. Just remember when she’s screaming your name, she’s really wishing it was mine.”
And with that, Riley struts away, the back of my thong long lost between his ass cheeks.
Chapter 7
TANNER
Don’t ask me how the fuck I ended up sleeping on the couch in my own damn house when there’s a perfectly good—and empty—bed right upstairs, but apparently Jax makes the rules here now, and when Bri insisted on coming upstairs with me, the fucker put his foot down. I mean, shit. He’s an eighteen-year-old manwhore. He shouldn’t be so worked up about wanting a fucking slumber party.
I shouldn’t have been surprised. The moment this shit even had the possibility of turning into a party, Jax was all over it. I thought it was bad enough when he demanded I couldn’t take Bri up to my room for the night, but when he said I couldn’t even share the bed she’s got down here, I was about ready to explode. The only thing I don’t understand is how the fuck I ended up caving to this bullshit.
It’s probably got something to do with the giant hole through his guts.
It’s well past one in the morning and everyone is out cold from taking their pain meds. So, I suppose the joke is on me. There’s nothing and no one stopping me from going up to my room and sleeping in my bed like a normal fucking person, yet I find myself chilling out on the couch, watching Brielle sleep.
Fuck, that kinda made me sound like a creepy stalker, but hell, it wouldn’t be the first time I’ve stood by to watch her sleep. Only this time, it’s different. I nearly lost her. I nearly lost them all. I can’t even describe how grateful I am to see them all okay. Having them in the same room like this, right where I can watch over them, eases something in my chest. I know Colby is out for the count, at least for now, and I don’t have to protect them like I did before, but the memories of what happened last week keep me close.
Staring up at the ceiling, I try to convince myself to go to bed upstairs when Addison starts fretting in her sleep. She kicks her legs and screams, trying to push some invisible force away. I sit up, my eyes wide as I watch her for a moment. “No, no,” she cries, her head whipping from side to side. “Don’t touch me. No, stop. Don’t touch me.”
Fuck.
She’s dreaming about Colby.
“Help,” she cries. “Help. Somebody, please help me.”
The moment my feet hit the floor, I notice Hudson stumble off his couch from a dead sleep to get to her. He’s by her side in seconds, and I freeze as he takes her hand and gently shakes her awake. The fear in his eyes is like nothing I’ve ever seen. It’s been a week of this, every night watching her relive the worst moment of her life over and over again, and it’s been slowly destroying us all.
The moment Addison was discharged from the hospital, Hudson has been here, refusing to leave her side, and I’m grateful for it. As much as I want to be her protector, it’s not me she needs. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to stop trying. I’ll never stop.
Addison wakes a moment later, and I’m unable to tear my eyes off the two of them. Hudson wraps her in his arms, holding her tight as she nuzzles her face into his neck, and he whispers something into her ear. His hand slowly moves up and down her back and having seen enough, I take a step back and avert my gaze. As much as I want to help her, this is a private moment, and with everyone else still asleep, I can’t help but feel as though I’m intruding.
Wanting to give Addie some space, I walk out of the living room and through the kitchen, but with every step I take, my control slips just a little bit more. I hate that she’s going through this, and I hate it even more that no matter what I do, I can’t save her from the demons inside her head. I could end Colby’s miserable life a million times over, but that won’t do anything to change the memories that relentlessly haunt her.
Needing some fresh air, I take off through the front door and find myself pacing the lawn, my control slipping further with each passing second. I try to rein it in, try to calm myself with slow, deep breaths, but the sound of Addison’s fear circles my head, making it impossible to find peace.