Page 31 of Ghost

Our hands dangled at our sides, just close enough that the backs of my fingers brushed against his. It was barely a touch and completely accidental, but it had my mind racing. We were so close, and I couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like if I just reached out and took hold of his hand.

Would it feel gentle against mine? Would holding his strong, protective hand make me feel safe? The thought tugged at the corners of my mind and left me wondering if he’d noticed how close we were and if he felt the same pull I did. It was doubtful. Ghost was handsome, steady, and strong.

And I was damaged and broken.

It was crazy to believe that someone like him would want to reach for a woman like me.

Not now.

Not ever.

And so we stood, watching the sky, both lost in our own thoughts.

Ghost

It had been a hell of day, and I’d just gotten into bed when a muffled cry pierced through the silence of the night. I eased up on the bed and tilted my head, trying to hear it again. At first, I thought I was dreaming, but then I heard it again—much louder than before.

It was a scream. Not only that, but it was a woman’s scream.

“Whitney.”

My blood ran cold as I shot out of bed and grabbed my gun from the nightstand. Adrenaline pulsed through my veins as I bolted down the hall. As I got closer, the sound of her screams grew louder, echoing through the clubhouse walls. Toby’s cries quickly followed. “Mom... Momma...”

I didn’t bother knocking. I just barged right in and quickly scanned the room, searching for the threat. That’s when I spotted Whitney thrashing wildly in her bed.

Sweat dripped down her forehead, her breath coming in ragged gasps. Toby was next to her, and he looked like a deer in headlights. When I saw that no one else was in the room, I quickly lowered my weapon and looked back to Toby. He was already terrified, and I’d only added to his fear by barging into their room with my gun drawn.

“It’s okay, buddy.” I placed it on the desk, then stepped over to the edge of the bed. “I’m just here to make sure you both are safe.”

He nodded, but the fear in his eyes remained.

He watched intently as I knelt in front of Whitney and whispered, “Hey, Whitney…Whitney, wake up.”

I placed a hand on her shoulder, shaking her gently, and her eyes shot open. Still caught between the dream and reality, her body jolted back, and she let out another choked scream. Trying my best not to scare her further, I leaned back and whispered, “Hey, it’s okay. You’re okay.”

“Ghost?”

My name had barely left her lips when she reached for me. She wound her arms around my neck and pulled me close, clinging to me like her life depended on it. I slipped my arm around her waist, holding her as I whispered, “You’re okay. You’re at the clubhouse. It was just a bad dream.”

“I thought he was here.” She started to cry as she muttered, “I thought he’d found us.”

“Hey, hey.” I eased her back so she could see my face. “He’s not here. No one’s here. It’s just us.”

She quickly scanned the room, and when she saw that no one was there, she muttered, “I-I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to?—”

“It’s alright,” I cut her off gently. “No need to apologize.”

“It seemed so real.” She wiped the tears from her eyes as she added, “It’s been a while since I’ve had one that bad.”

Toby shuffled closer, and I gave him a nod, letting him know that everything was going to be okay. Toby hesitated for a moment, then inched closer to her. “It was a bad one, Mom.”

“I know, sweetie, and I’m sorry.” She gave him a quick hug and kissed him on the cheek. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“I hate when you have those dreams.”

“I do, too. But I’m okay now. Come on. Let’s get you settled.” She stood and led him back over to his bed. “Everything’s fine now. Try to get you some sleep.”

He nodded, then slipped under the covers and pulled them up over his shoulders. Whitney leaned down and kissed him on the forehead before getting back in her bed. She settled back on her pillow with a sigh. It was tough seeing them like this, and as much as I tried to keep my emotions in check, there was something about seeing them so rattled that got to me. “You need anything? Water? Something to help you sleep?”

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