Page 21 of Shattered Mind

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I wake with a jolt and my eyes immediately scan my unfamiliar surroundings. It takes a minute for my brain to register that I’m in Hunter’s living room, but when it does my body relaxes a fraction.

And then I realise that something had woken me. I sit up with a groan and reach for my phone, squinting against the brightness of the screen.Four-thirty A.M.

I swing my legs over the side of the sofa and as my feet hit the ground a horrific scream pierces the silence. I’m moving before my legs have even registered what they’redoing, my heart hammering against my rib cage. A million different scenarios assault me as I take fast steps towards Hunter’s guest room.

Did Ryan come back? Is he in there with her right now?

I burst through the door of Liv’s bedroom, my eyes searching the dark space for anything out of place before landing on her where she thrashes around beneath the bedsheets.

She’s having a nightmare.

I move to the bed, sitting on the edge gently to make sure I don’t startle her. “Liv.”

Her jerky movements continue, and she lets out a whimper. I gently grip her shoulders, “Liv,” I say, my voice firmer this time.

Her eyes open, wild with panic as she searches her surroundings. “It’s okay,” I whisper.

Her gaze finally focuses on me, her chest rising and falling with heavy breaths. “G-Grayson?”

“Yeah, blue. You’re okay. Just a nightmare.” I lift a hand from her shoulder, tucking her hair behind her ear, and she leans into my touch, causing goosebumps to prickle my skin. I pull my hand away quickly.

“What time is it?” She asks, clearing her throat.

“Four-thirty. I’ve gotta get to work. You okay on your own until my folks get here?”

She nods. “Yeah. I don’t think I’ll be able to get back to sleep so I’ll probably just have a shower and head up to the big house instead.”

I instantly get the image of her in the shower, water cascading through her midnight hair and over the curve of her ass. Of me in the shower with her. Touching her. Running my fingers through her wet strands as she leans into me.

I clear my throat and stand. “I can wait for you and give you a ride if you need me to.”

Immediate regret consumes me the moment the offer leaves my mouth. Wait for her? It’s bad enough that I’m imagining her in the shower. Being in the next room might just kill me.

“No, it’s fine. I could do with the walk,” she replies, and I release a breath of relief.

“Okay. See you later.”

I leave the bedroom, closing the door behind me with a quiet snick and collect my things from the living room before heading towards the front door.

I hear the shower turn on just as I reach for the handle, and I pause, dropping my head back witha quiet groan.

Killing me.

CHAPTER 10

OLIVIA

Hunter’s discharged from the hospital a few days later, and although he has a long road to recovery, all is right in their world again.

I tried to go home when they returned, but both him and Savannah insisted I stay here a while and if I’m being honest, I’m relieved.

With Savannah being pregnant, Hunter needing round the clock help and the fact that the pair are ass over tit in love with each other, it only makes sense that her and Reign move in with Hunter permanently.

I’m happy for them. I can’t think of two people more deserving of love than Savannah and Reign, but I’d be lying if I said I’m not sad to be losing them. It’s been a long time since I’ve lived alone and it’s not something I’m looking forward to.

Savannah’s been a fixture in my life since I was nothing but a pre-pubescent teen. She stayed by my side during the darkest time of my life, pulled me out of the dark when it didn’t seem possible and gave me a home when mine was ripped out from under me.

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