Page 85 of Better Hide

My first instinct is to snatch her up and yank her into my bed. My chest hasn’t stopped hurting about the fact my momreplaced me with another kid, and I want something, anything to help.

But I don’t. I drop into bed, my body aching. I could easily overpower Jo and force her into bed with me. But I realize with a tightness in my throat that I want her to want me.

I want Jo toactuallywant me.

No gimmicks, no force, no overpowering. I want her to want me for me.

Jo still hasn’t picked a bed.

I close my eyes, trying to fight off the pain. Then, there’s a rustle of the sheets, and Jo climbs in behind me. A rush of relief fills me, and it’s so overwhelming that I want to cry. I turn to grab her and curl my body around her. Burying my nose in her hair, tears sting my eyes.

Jo got in bed with me, and I didn’t have to force her.

Some part of me dances. This can’t be real. It’s not real, right?

I pass out with Jo in my arms.

I’m not sure when I wake again, but it’s to a deep shout. I startle up in bed, throwing myself between Jo and where the sound came from.

I’m disoriented, but nothing seems off when I blink into focus. Then Jayden shouts again. It’s a fearful:no.

Jo scrambles up beside me. “What’s going on?”

Jayden thrashes on the bed.

I drag my hand down my face. “He’s dreaming again.”

Jo throws the covers off, moving to get out of bed, and I grab her wrist. “What are you doing?”

Jo tries to shake me off. “It’ll be fine.”

She’s going to get in bed with him. Fuck. I’ve seen how Jayden acts when he’s having a nightmare. He’s unpredictable.

“Cole!” Jo throws me a look that is full of frustration and helplessness. Instantly, I let her go. Fuck, I hate that look. I hope she never gives it to me again.

Jo pads over and sits on the edge of the bed. She grabs one of Jayden’s hands and holds it. I stand stiffly, watching him. But he doesn’t do anything. If anything, some of the tension goes out of his body.

Jo traces patterns on the tattoos on Jayden’s arms. Then she slides in next to him, and lies down.

“Jo,” I growl. I’m all for her being there, but now she’s just being reckless.

“It’ll be fine.” Jo throws me a glare. “I’m a big girl.”

Oh, she thinks she is, but Jayden is twice her size. He could easily hurt her before he realizes what he’s doing.

“Scoot over.” I shove at Jo.

“What?” She looks over Jayden’s body. “There’s not enough room.”

“Then you’re going to get squished.” I shove at Jo until there’s a sliver of space on the bed. No way am I going to let her lay there alone. Jo huffs when I squeeze in beside her. Half of me is hanging off the bed, but I don’t care.

Whether she likes it or not, she chose me, and now I will keep her safe. I will protect her from anything that wants to hurt her, and I will never let her choose anything other than us ever again.

40

JO

We’ve beenin our new apartment for a week. My period also started the first day we got here, and I felt murderous and refused to get out of bed. Since then, I’ve done nothing but eat and sleep. Cole brought me a phone to try and coax me out of bed, but I couldn’t.

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