“That guy on Friday night. The one who was going to—”
“Justin?” she interrupts, and I don’t miss the shudder that goes through her.
“Yeah. There was something about him. Something familiar. I don’t know. But since that night, my nightmares have been worse.”
“You always get them?”
“Every now and then, but every single time I shut my eyes since that night, all these memories keep coming back.”
“Memories of what?” she asks, her brow wrinkling in concern.
“That’s just the thing… I don’t know. I don’t see events. I’m just… I’m scared. Fucking terrified. I remember being in the dark. I remember being in pain… the fear.”
My body trembles talking about it even now in the daylight.
I wish I could remember. I wish I knew what happened to me before I was found at the clubhouse gates all those years ago. But no one knows, and it seems that my mind is content with playing tricks on me, only allowing me to see—feel—the basics. Nothing of importance, nothing that helps trigger any useful memories.
“You think he was involved?” Sadie asks, dragging me from my misery.
“I don’t know. He just seemed familiar somehow.”
“Have you ever spoken to anyone about this before?”
I shake my head. “Never.”
She finds my hand, lacing our fingers together. “Thank you for telling me.”
“I meant what I said last night, Sadie. You make it all quieter. When you’re beside me, the nightmares don’t come. I… I need you.”
“I’m right here, Dane. Whatever you need.”
“Thank you,” I breathe, leaning closer to brush my lips against hers.
“You guys order pizza?” Pacman booms up the stairs.
“Fucking cockblock,” I mutter against her lips.
“I think you’ve already had enough fun, don’t you?” she asks, quirking a brow as she climbs off the bed.
“With you, Sadie, girl? Never.”
I move to follow her but soon stop when she glances down at the impressive tenting in my pants. “Stay there.” She smirks. “We don’t want to give Pacman any more ideas than I’m sure he already has. I’ll get pizza and beer. Want anything else?”
“You naked and beneath me.”
“Jesus. What did I agree to?” she mutters as she slips from the room.
Falling back on her bed, I stare up at the ceiling, wondering for the millionth time since Friday night who Justin really is. Is he someone I should remember, or was it just a coincidence and it was the events of that night which triggered something inside my mind?
Sadie’s cell rings on her nightstand, and, without thinking, I reach over for it. I almost answer it when I see Wes's name, but something tells me he’d be disappointed if he hears my voice on the other end, so I let it ring out.
Only a few minutes later, the door opens and the most incredible sight in the world appears before my eyes.
“My girl, pizza, and beer. Pretty sure I’ve died and gone to heaven.”
“You're such a goof, Dane Stray.”
“I’ve been called a lot of things over the years, Sadie Ray, but I’m not sure goof has ever passed anyone’s lips in regard to me before.”
“There’s a first time for everything.” She crawls back on the bed and flips the pizza box open.
My stomach growls loudly as the scent of tomato and melted cheese hits me.
“Here, Pretty Boy called,” I say, passing her cell over as I scoop up my first slice.
“You mind?” she asks, holding up her cell.
“Of course not. I’m worried too.”
She studies me, her head tilting to the side a little like a confused puppy dog. “Should I be concerned about how happy you are with the idea of Wesley joining… this.”
“I don’t want him, if that's what you're thinking. I’ve told you, Sadie, I only want your pussy. I just happen to like watching other cocks using it too.”
Her cheeks heat at my words, images of the three of us filling her mind, I’m sure.
“That really shouldn’t do the things it does to me, should it?” she asks, hitting her screen and lifting her cell to her ear.
“There are no rules, Sadie, girl. Just pleasure. Lots and lots of pleasure.”
I watch as Sadie paces back and forth as she talks to Noble. My eyes track over every inch of her, memorizing every curve, mole and mark.
“And your mom?” she asks Wes.
“Okay. That’s good, I guess. But you know that he’ll… Yeah. Well, whatever you need. You know where we are… You too. I’ll see you tomorrow though, right?”
She listens to whatever he’s saying for a bit.
“Yeah, Dane’s here,” she says, looking up at me and smiling. She laughs. “I’m sure we will.” Her eyes darken, making my body heat. “Call me if you need anything.”
She nods as if he can see her. “Okay. See you tomorrow.”
Dropping her cell onto the bed, she slips down beside me.
“Everything good?” I ask
“For now. His dad is being all nice and apologetic to his mom.”
“Well, that won’t last,” I mutter. We might not know the ins and outs of their relationship, but abusive behavior as bad as Wes's dad’s doesn’t usually disappear overnight. Their bullshit however… that’s usually pretty fucking solid.
We spend the night like… like a normal couple, I guess.
We hang out in Sadie’s room watching TV. She even makes me do an assignment with her that we’ve both got due before she crawls under her covers with me, her naked skin pressed right up against mine, and allows me to hold her as we both succumb to sleep.
And for the first night this weekend, I don’t wake up a few hours later trembling in fear and my body dripping with sweat.
18
Sadie
The incessant beep of my alarm rouses me from a deep sleep. “Ugh,” I murmur, reaching over to hit snooze.
I wiggle backward, half expecting Dane to drag my body closer, but I only find cold sheets. “Dane?” I glance over my shoulder, frowning at the empty space.
My cell pings and I snatch it up.
Dane: Your dad came back last night after you fell asleep. I managed to sneak out just in time. But we owe Pacman big time for the heads up.
Thank God. I can only imagine how that would have gone down.
My cell pings again.
Dane: P.S. good morning princess.
I smile, my toes curling at his cute message.
Me: No nightmares?
Dane: I managed. There’s coffee.
Me: I’ll be right down xo
Throwing back the covers, I get out of bed and pad into my small bathroom. Once I’m done washing up, I grab some clean shorts and an old MC t-shirt and pull them on, tying the hem of the t-shirt around my midriff.
“Sadie?” River calls from the hall.
“Yeah?” I reply, trying to tame my curls out of my face.