Page 23 of Ace My Heart

Normally when I travelled, I entrusted Connor’s care to Amanda, but since she’d come down for the Open, I’d had to rely on my not-so-reliable mother. Mum … well let’s just say the thought of her having unrestricted access to my apartment was horrifying.

I hobbled to the kitchen and scooped out some biscuits for him. He heard the noise and leapt out of Brad’s arms, gallivanting into the kitchen with a yowl.

I watched Connor scarf down his kibble, knowing better than to try and touch him while he was eating. I still had scars to remind me why that was a bad idea.

“Well, I’ll just get going then,” Brad said from behind me. I jumped – I hadn’t heard him follow me into the kitchen. I guessed I would probably be a bit jumpy for a while.

My stomach churned and my vision blurred. I closed my eyes to try and clear my head.

Gaping mouth.

Bulging eyes.

Blood.

I snapped my eyes open, biting the inside of my cheek.

“Okay,” I mumbled.

Brad closed the space between us and enveloped me in his long arms.

“Do you want me to stay?” he asked, rubbing soothing hands up and down my back. I shook my head against his shoulder and he stepped back, peering into my eyes. “I’m serious, Smellie. If you need me, I’m here.”

I shook my head again, gripping the kitchen bench behind me so he wouldn’t see my hands shake. “You’re the best, Brad. But I’ll be fine.”

“Well, I’m only a phone call away. I’ll need to get used to late night calls anyway once I graduate.”

I managed a weak smile and hugged him again. I stood at the open door and, gripping Connor like he was a snuggly toy, watched him walk down the stairs to his car.

I needed to be alone.

Alone felt terrifying.

“Well, Connie, you’re going to sleep under the sheets with Mummy tonight, okay?” I crooned shakily. Connor eyed me with the disapproval that only a cat can muster. At least he didn’t struggle out of my arms.

Blood.

Bulging eyes.

Gaping mouth.

I scream …

It was the scream that woke me. It didn’t stop, even as I launched myself out of bed, catapulting Connor off my legs. My ankle throbbed painfully.

I realised as my throat burned that the noise wasn’t stoppingbecauseIwas screaming. I locked my jaw shut and hopped over to flick on the light, chasing the shadows and the remnants of my nightmare away.

It was just after five. I’d managed a solid four-and-a-half hours sleep. Great. Well, I doubted I’d be getting back to sleep now. I pulled an oversized t-shirt over my naked body.

Crutching my way out to the kitchen, I flicked the switch on my coffee maker and grabbed the milk from the fridge, sniffing it and screwing my nose up at the sour smell. Sighing, I pulled down a carton of long-life from the cupboard and cracked it open.

A nice, sweet latte was my best bet to chase away the clinging cobwebs of the nightmare.

I sat in a chair at my table and nursed that coffee as the sun rose through the kitchen window.

A knock at the door startled me out of an exhausted haze. I winced as I collected my crutches.

Brad was standing on the other side, two takeaway coffees in hand. He eyed my stretched-out t-shirt briefly as he entered.

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