AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Oh God. I’m sorry. Are you okay?” I cried.
“Evie?” My dad pulled my attention to him as he stepped into the room looking between us all with worry and wariness. “Are you okay? Do you want to come to our room and talk?” he offered.
“No. I…I’m okay. The guys were just trying to stop me,” I assured him as I tapped Nicks arm so he’d put me down. As soon as I was on my feet I grabbed Kade’s hand and gave it a squeeze, hating how pissed he looked and hoping to calm him some. “My nightmares…they get so intense. Sometimes I run, or try to. I hurt myself before so the guys…they try to stop me before it gets to that,” I explained. “I really am okay,” I added as I looked to Kade. “They’d never hurt me. It’s usually me who hurts them when they try to stop me.”
“All of that screaming? It was a nightmare?” my mom asked as her eyes filled with tears.
“They’re getting better,” I tried to tell her, but dad had already pulled her into his arms and was hugging her as she sobbed.
“I know a great therapist when you’re ready, Evie,” Livy told me.
“Come on, let’s get back to bed. Evie’s okay now,” Cole spoke up as he wrapped an arm around Livy and led her out of my room. Matt followed, but Kyle and Kade stayed where they were, still both glaring at my guys.
“Kyle, Kade. We’ve been through this. I’m safe with the guys. You don’t need to protect me from them,” I told them both.
“Come on. Back to bed,” Dad told them and I was grateful when they listened and left the room.
“You know where we are if you need anything,” Dad said and I nodded.
“Look after my baby, please boys. Take good care of her,” mom sniffled as she lifted her head and looked between my guys. Her face was red and blotchy, tears still running down her cheeks.
“We will,” Harris promised.
“We’ve got her,” Kailan added, then he was at my side, wrapping both of his arms around me comfortingly.
Mom nodded then allowed dad to usher her from my room. He closed the door behind him. Then it was just the five of us looking at each other.
“Well, that was embarrassing,” I sighed as I turned and curled into Kailan.
“I don’t know. I’ve been itching for a fight for days. I think Kade would give me a good run for my money,” Nick joked, or at least I hoped he was joking. I never wanted to see one of the guys I loved fighting one of my brothers.
“How are you feeling?” Harris asked. “Do you want to talk about the nightmare?”
“No,” I sighed. “I’m tired and my elbow hurts,” I added as I rubbed at my aching elbow. “How hard is your chest anyway?”
“Muscles of steel right here, darlin’,” Kailan teased as he ran his hand down his chiseled muscular body. I had to force myself to look away from his hand as it travelled south. Definitely not the right time or place, I told myself.
“Can we just go back to bed? I’m exhausted after that,” I admitted.
“Yep, and it’s my turn to hold you, so you get the camp bed, superman,” Harris told Kailan with a smirk.
Before I knew it, Harris had scooped me up into his arms and had the both of us settled on my bed. I was half laid on him, my leg over his thighs as I wrapped my arm around his waist and lay my head on his chest. I wanted him to be shirtless like Kailan, so I could feel the heat of his skin under my cheek, but I knew he was uncomfortable showing his scars, so didn’t ask.
“Is this okay?” I asked. “Am I squishing you?”
“Go to sleep, crazy girl,” he chuckled. “You’re perfect right there.”
I listened as the others got settled on the camp beds, reassured to know they were in the room with me, all around the bed. As long as they were there I knew I was safe. I knew they wouldn’t let anything or anyone hurt me.
“I think I love you guys,” I said, hoping they all heard me.
“Good, because I’m sure I love you, baby,” Nick spoke up first.
“Me too. One hundred percent certainty. Totally love you too, pretty girl,” Kailan said next.
“I think I knew I loved you the moment I met you, Evie,” Aleks said.
“And I’ve known I love you for almost a decade, sweetheart. Not letting you go this time,” Harris said as he kissed the top of my head.
