Page 52 of Endo
Only Us - DYLYN
I wake up with a jolt,the weight of the dream still clinging to me, thick and suffocating. Cruz. His face, his laugh, the way he held me close—everything felt so real, so familiar. The sudden ache in my chest leaves me breathless, like I’ve just been punched in the gut. I squeeze my eyes shut for a moment, trying to push the pain away, but it’s no use. Even months later the loss is still too sharp, too raw.
I blink against the dim light from Blue’s tank, realizing I’m in my usual spot on the couch, curled up on the cushions like it’s the only place that offers me any comfort. My body aches, stiff from lying in the same spot for hours, and my head is foggy from the vividness of the dream. I run a hand through my golden hair, sitting up, trying to shake off the weight still pressing down on me.
Finally, I force myself to my feet and head to the small kitchen space needing something to ground me, something simple. I grab a glass from the dishrack, fill it with water, and gulp it down. It helps, just a little. But it doesn’t stop theheaviness in my chest, the lingering sense that everything is just... off.
I glance at my phone sitting on the counter. A few messages from Revel—nothing from Reign. I texted him last night, a quick check-in, just to see if he made it home okay, but I still haven’t heard anything.
A knot tightens in my stomach. I don’t even know why I’m surprised. I know my coldness last night affected him, and Revel’s attitude at the end of the night certainly didn’t help. But can he really blame me? I’m still trying to figure out whatever this is between us, and how to live with it. The last thing I need is the entire team to know that Reign and I have feelings for each other, at least until I’m ready for it.
If I’m ever ready for it.
As much peace as being with Reign brings me, I can’t help but feel like I’m betraying Cruz. Like the team will turn their backs on me just when I’m finally feeling some sense of normality being around them, and the worst part is, I wouldn’t even be able to blame them. I know it’s messed up. I know that after how close Reign and Cruz were, the last thing I should be thinking about is how badly I want him.Needhim.
I stare at my phone for a few seconds, then, almost without thinking, I type out another message.
Lena: Hello? Are you alive?
I wait, watching the screen, willing the little three dots to appear. But nothing. Not even a sign he’s seen it.
I sigh, frustration bubbling up. This isn’t like him. He always replies to me.
I toss my phone back onto the counter, trying to shake it off. I’ve got a shift at the center today, and hopefully that will beable to stop my mind from spiraling. Maybe that’s exactly what I need. To lose myself in something else, anything else.
I can’t keep obsessing over him.
But as I head for the shower, the thought of Reign still hangs in my head, heavy and unresolved.
The day dragson at the ocean center, the hours kind of bleeding into each other, and I try my best to stay focused. Sorting data, feeding fish, making sure everything is running smoothly—it’s all routine. Safe. Boring. But, of course, my brain won’t cooperate. It keeps drifting back to Reign.
I can’t help it. Every time I try to concentrate, his face pops into my head—those eyes, that damn smirk, the way he stands so close, like he’s daring me to breathe him in. And I can feel it again, that kiss. Ugh. Seriously? I shouldnotbe thinking about it, but here I am. It was so much more than I expected, and now I can’t shake the feeling of his lips, the way everything around us seemed to fade away, like it was just the two of us.
I glance at my clipboard, trying to snap myself out of it. I’m standing in front of the sea turtle tank, double-checking the filtration system. Zara’s in here, a tough female turtle recovering from a nasty wound she got while nesting on one of the local beaches. Her shell’s still healing, scarred and tender, and I’m doing everything I can to make sure she doesn’t get any infections. Slowly, slowly, she’s getting better.
Not fast enough for my liking, but better.
I drag a hand over my face. Zara needs my full attention right now, and I really need to stop letting my mind wander. But nope, there it is again—Reign’s damn lips on mine, justthere. It won’t fucking leave.
And then, of course, there’s Revel. I can still hear him from last night, his voice sharp with that protective tone he’s had since we were kids.
Revel’s just trying to protect me, and I get it. I do. But here’s the thing—I don’t need protecting. Not from Reign at least. I need him. I need someone real, someone who makes me feel like maybe I’m not going to drown in my own goddamn grief. But Revel doesn’t understand that. He doesn’t get the pull I feel, or the way Reign makes me feel like maybe—just maybe—I’m not so lost after all.
I finally finish my shift,ready to call it a day. My head’s still a mess, spinning in every direction. I check my phone again—still nothing from Reign. I don’t know why I keep doing this to myself. I’ve been checking it every five minutes like he’s going to magically reply. But here I am, still staring at a blank fucking screen.
“Fuck it,” I mutter to myself, my fingers already typing out a message that I’m not even going to send. I’m done waiting. I need answers, and I’m not going to get them sitting here wondering.
I slam my phone into my bag and head for the door. He doesn’t want to text back. Fine. I’ll stop by his place. Can’t fucking avoid me forever. I don’t care about whatever is going on between us right now. Right now, I just need to know he’s okay.
I need him.
By the timeI get to his apartment building, I can feel the anxiety sitting heavy in my chest. I hesitate for a moment before buzzing his door.
He answers almost immediately, and there he is. Reign, standing in the doorway, a bottle in his hand. His eyes are dark, unreadable, but there’s something else there too—vulnerability, like he’s been waiting for me to show up but didn’t think I actually would.
“Hey,” I say, trying to steady my voice, but it’s no use. It trembles despite myself.
“Hey,” he responds, his voice rough, low, like it’s been dragged through something. He doesn’t invite me in, but he doesn’t shut the door either. He just stands there, watching me, like he’s unsure whether he should let me in or not.
