Page 67 of Fade With Me

I jolted awake, screaming, “No! It burns!” My heart thundered, sweat clinging to my skin. The nightmare clung to me like smoke, familiar, choking, impossible to shake.

Zeke’s arms pulled me close, the steady heat of him tethering me to the moment.

“It’s okay, shhh,” he murmured, his voice anchoring me in the chaos. His hand moved slowly down my back, careful and calming. “I’ve got you.”

I buried myself against him, the solid comfort of his presence the only thing keeping me from unraveling. I lay still, breathing him in: warmth, safety, something that felt like home, waiting for my pulse to settle.

“Are these dreams going to keep getting worse?” I asked, my voice still trembling.

Zeke exhaled, apology flickering in his eyes. “Once we leave this house, they should subside. Some,” he added quietly. His fingers traced light circles on my back. “I wish I could stop them completely.”

He pressed a soft kiss to my temple, then leaned back slightly, eyes searching mine. “You’re burning up,” he said gently. “Why don’t you take a shower? It might help you feel better.” He brushed a damp strand of hair from my forehead, his thumb lingering, like he didn’t want to let go. “I’ll make us breakfast while you do.”

Then, as if he couldn’t let the moment stay too heavy, he gave me his signature goofy grin and wiggled his eyebrows. “And after that? Waterfall time.”

After the shower, I made my way downstairs, the scent of bacon and eggs filling the air. Izzy was already at the table, digging into a plate piled high with food.

“I’ve got one ready for you,” Zeke called out with a warm smile as he set the plate down.

But then his gaze caught on me, and something in his expression shifted, like he’d forgotten about the food entirely.

“That looks amazing,” he said, his eyes sweeping over my outfit. “The fit is perfect. I have to say, I did well.”

I’d slipped into the leggings and tank top he’d picked out the day before, feeling a little exposed. But when his eyes met mine, something inside me eased. The tension I hadn’t even realized I was holding melted away, replaced by a quiet comfort in my own skin.

He always had that effect, making me feel like I didn’t need to be anyone but exactly who I already was.

He sat beside me, close enough that I could feel the quiet gravity of him—protective, steady. His hand brushed lightly against my arm, and for a moment he studied me, like he was making sure I was really okay.

Izzy glanced at Zeke, amusement and skepticism dancing across his expression as he cocked an eyebrow. “Please don’t tell me you wear a suit hiking,” he said, asmirk tugging at the corner of his mouth as he crossed his arms.

Zeke raked a hand through his hair, rolling his eyes. “No, I’d sweat too much. Obviously.”

I shook my head at them, amused, and turned back to my breakfast. I hadn’t realized how hungry I was until the first bite hit: perfectly crisp bacon, smoky and salty, paired with fluffy, buttery eggs that melted on my tongue. Each bite was more satisfying than the last, and I devoured every bit.

“That was incredible,” I said, meaning every word as the comfort of the meal settled in my stomach. “You’re such a great cook, Zeke.”

Izzy laughed, leaning back in his chair with his long legs stretched in front of him, taking up more space than the chair seemed built for. “Yeah, that’s sort of his thing.”

Zeke’s smile softened, a flicker of nostalgia settling behind his eyes. “Our mom always let us cook with her. She was pretty adamant about breaking down ‘gender roles.’”

Izzy’s voice jumped to a high-pitched falsetto as he waved his hands theatrically. “My future kings will not be useless in the kitchen.”

Zeke beamed, eyes crinkling with quiet joy. “Anyway, I was always better at it than he was.”

Izzy shot him a quick glance, his shoulders lifting in a defensive shrug. “Hey, I just don’t have the patience forit!” he said, raising his hands in mock surrender. “I get too hungry waiting for everything to cook.” He grinned, adding, “Besides, I was gifted with the better personality. You needed a little something extra, ya know?”

Zeke yanked him into a tight headlock before he could say more, his knuckles digging into Izzy’s scalp. Izzy laughed, twisting and swatting at him, but there was no mistaking the enjoyment in the struggle.

I looked over, biting back a smile, amused by their antics. “Well, your mom sounds like my kind of woman,” I said, letting the humor linger in my voice.

A quiet peace settled over me as I watched them. The way they moved around each other, effortlessly close, was the kind of bond I’d only ever seen from a distance.

Izzy scooped up another bite, talking through a mouthful. “Oh, she loves you. Don’t worry,” he said, pausing just long enough to chew before grabbing another forkful.

I glanced at Zeke. He nodded, his expression earnest and proud. “She does,” he said simply, like it was a fact that couldn’t be questioned.

Izzy jumped out of his chair with swift energy, throwing his hands up dramatically. In a flash, his plate vanished, disappearing into thin air. He waved his hand over his clothes, and instantly, his outfit shifted to army green cargo pants and a black T-shirt. With a satisfied grin, he slung his backpack over one shoulder. “Alright, all ready to go!”

---