Page 38 of Beyond Repair: Part One

His response is immediate, and it makes me sink further into my bed.

Ridge: I didn't think you'd be awake. Why aren't you asleep, Nina girl?

I don't hesitate, too caught up in the feel of having someone to talk to while I spiral. Mom thinks I should ask for help when I need it, and Dad wholeheartedly believes I can trust the guys.

I'm scared...

Ridge: Scared of what, Nina? What's going on?

Before I can tap my thumb once, Ridge's caller ID pops up on my screen.Shoot, he's calling me?Texting is so much easier. Reminding myself that at least he's not here to see my cry in person, I accept the call.

"Nina? Are you okay?"

He sounds so panicked it makes me feel bad. "I'm sorry, Ridge," I whisper. "Everything's fine. Sorry for worrying you."

"Stop apologizing and tell me what's wrong," he demands, voice hard and unrelenting.

Studying the shadows of my room that the hallway light creates, I feel my belly twist with anxiety. "Nights are hard, that's all."

Maybe if I downplay what keeps me up every night, he won't think I'm a freak. Or high maintenance. My lip wobbles. Learning that I'm not a burden was tough and, honestly, there are days I forget all the work I've done to let go of my negative thoughts.

Ridge doesn't pause and, if anything, the sounds from his end of the line become a bit muffled. "Why are the nights hard?"

"Why do you ask so many questions?" My heart beats rapidly, but it's slowly shifting from fear of the tall dark spot by my closet to exhilaration of bantering with my friend.

"Answer the question, Nina."

My vagina flutters in response to his unwavering tone.Friends!Since my attention is split between keeping an eye on the darkness and scolding my now wet panties, my filter slips. "Sometimes I worry I'll never see the sun again. That I'll never hear the birds chirping and get annoyed when the wind messes up my hair."

"Neen..." he breathes, but he's a distant sound now, as is the thud that accompanies his emotion.

"When it's dark out and I'msupposedto be asleep...in my room...I'm reminded of the basement. I had to be down there unless it was to clean or cook something for Mr. M. I—" My breath stutters out of me and the truth follows. "I never knew what time of day it was. There was only one lightbulb and no way of knowing until I was dragged up the steps. Then when I was thrown back down, I feared I would never know what the outside felt like."

"Nina—"

Sobbing with my heart verbally opening itself and begging to be put back together, I tell Ridge my deepest, darkest sin. "Many times I didn't want to know either. I just wanted it to end. I wanted all the pain to end, Ridge."

"Nina. Open the front door, right fucking now!"

I startle and fly into a sitting position when a few loud bangs sound from downstairs. "I-is that you at th-the door?"

"Yes. Let me in. You have one minute before I break it down, Nina girl. I'm coming in whether you invite me or not."

I'm scrambling out of bed before I think it through, but my mind still races as my feet carry me down the stairs. "Why a-are you here?" My hiccup breaks apart my words.

He doesn't respond, and the line goes dead just as I unlock all the safety features. I barely touch the handle before the door is being nudged open and a frantic Ridge is stepping into my house before locking the door behind him.

Turning back around, he looks ready to explode, but I don't take a step back. My throat closes over instead, and I so badly want to leap into his arms. He studies me for a beat as my tears continue to slide down my cheeks and onto my white T-shirt.

"Up."

"Wha—" I don't have a moment to be confused by his caveman speak because in the next nanosecond, his hands are under my butt and he's lifting me toward his body. My legs wrap around him naturally while my arms scramble to grab hold of his neck. "Oh my gosh," I huff and hold on as tight as I can while he stomps up the steps.

He doesn't say a freaking word, just tucks an arm under my butt and grabs hold of the banister as he climbs. I have never felt so small or...treasured. Watching his hard features and watery eyes, I melt into his protective embrace.

What happens next is completely out of my control and since we're at the top, safe and sound, I don't worry too much aboutthe risk of it. My nose nudges the rim of his glasses back up his nose.

If I was blushing before my body turns to flame when his soulful golden eyes meet mine. "Do that again." His voice is so husky as he stops just inside of my dimly lit bedroom. I frown, but he wiggles his nose until his glasses shift down again. "Again, Nina."

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