Page 10 of Savagely Scarred

“That’s it baby, one more.”

Moans and the sound of skin slapping echo in the foyer and carry upstairs. Sweat runs down my abs as I watch her unfold before me. Such a beautiful sight.

“Fuck. Liv,” I groan, spilling inside of her.

Just before she collapses onto the steps, I scoop her up and carry her up to the master bathroom. I whistle at the top of the steps and Sadie comes barreling upstairs, now free from her spot. We’re both still breathing heavily when I sit her on the countertop between the two sinks. I run the water and wait until it gets warm.

“So did you have groupies at these concerts?” I ask curiously, grabbing a makeup wipe from the pack and start to clean her face.

She giggles. “No, I did not. It’s really not a big deal.”

“I beg to differ,” I tease. I toss the wipe and make a washcloth wet.

“I was dating the drummer though.”

“Oh really?” I clean myself off and then pull her to the edge of the counter. “So, was this drummer any good?” I give her a sly smile and wash between her legs. She moans so quietly I almost miss it.

“If you’re referring to his skills in bed…” She pokes me in the chest. “the answer is no. Our fling ended with his nose broken because he tried to pull my hair.”

“That’s my girl.” I chuckle. I kiss her forehead and grab the backs of her thighs, wrapping her around my waist.

“You’re going to revel in the fact that you got rid of my triggers, aren’t you?” she asks while I carry her to bed.

“Until the day that I die.”

My chest tightens as the coughing persists, waking me up from my sleep. I roll over onto my side in bed and kick the covers off. My red and green flannel pajamas are sticking to me. My entire body is covered in sweat.

Why am I so hot?

Maybe I have a fever.

Maybe I’m sick.

Mom will keep me home from school today.

It’s our last day and we were going to watch Land Before Time.

My breathing sounds funny—like a whistle.

I sit up in bed gasping for air. My eyes snap open but I can barely see anything even with all my nightlights on.

What is that smell?

I cover my face with the sleeve of my shirt and continue to cough. It hurts to breathe.

I need to get Mom.

I swing my legs over the side of the bed and stand up. I only take a couple of steps before falling to the floor.

My legs are tired.

I’m tired.

My eyes start to close when my bedroom door flies open and bangs against the wall.

“WILLIAM!!!”

I wake up screaming, frantically scrambling backwards against the headboard. Hands grab the sides of my face, and I try to shove them away.