Page 64 of Unraveled

Tucker and Izzy sometimes met up with us to talk, but most nights, Annie and I hurried into her room to squeeze into her tiny twin bed. Not that I’d change it.

Well, a bigger bed would be better, but I felt guilty kicking Nic out of our room too often for us to sleep in mine. So, here we were.

I ran my fingers along Annie’s arm that she had splayed across my chest, and she slid one of her legs over mine, her deep rhythmic breathing an easy lull in my ear as her breaths caressed over my collarbone. It was peaceful, and I wasn’t eager to stir her. She deserved to sleep in.

Our final exams were done yesterday, and since today was our last day as high school seniors, all we were expected to do was show up at ten to sign in and then run through one last graduation practice down at the track. Sleeping late had been earned.

I closed my eyes, hoping to get another hour or two, and just when I’d started to drift off, Annie gasped in my ear, shooting up in bed on all fours. Her knee caught me right in the groin, and I groaned, pulling my legs up to curl into a ball as pain shot through me so hard nausea set in my stomach.

Annie scrambled off the bed, and her hands flew to her hips as she tried to suck in a breath, another strangled gasp filling the room in its place.

Shit!I pushed myself to sit up and was just reaching for her when Izzy burst through the door. She took one glance at me, doubled over and holding my junk, and then rushed across the room.

“Annie.” She placed her hands on her upper arms. “You’re okay. Breathe with me, sis.”

Annie shook her head, trying to pull back, tears rolling down her cheeks as she continued to gasp for breath.

Shoving back the pain, I hurried over, watching the panic in my girl’s eyes as her sister worked to calm herdown. I touched my fingers gently to her back, but there was nothing. No response.

“Annie?”

My head whipped to the doorway to find Archer staring with wide eyes.

“What’s wrong with her?”

“Just a bad dream, Arch,” Izzy said, going straight back to helping Annie breathe, her voice a soothing calm in the background, but I saw the panic that still filled her brother’s eyes, and he turned and bolted for the stairs.

“Archer!” I called out.

“Mom! Uncle Blake! Something’s wrong with Annie!”

“Shit.”

“Help me, Jet,” Izzy directed, and I pushed her over to replace her hands with mine, locking my eyes with the vivid, panicked green of my girlfriend’s.

“Sweetheart, look at me. Focus. Look into my eyes,” I instructed. Her gaze was there, but I wasn’t sure it registered.

Footsteps soon came barrelling up the stairs, andBridgette and Blake rushed into the room.

“Oh, God. What happened? What’s wrong?” Bridgette demanded.

“Nightmare,” Tucker answered from the doorway where he pulled Archer back to tuck him behind his legs.

“Come on, Annie. Breathe for me,” I continued to coax. “Deep breaths. You’ve got this.” I looked at Izzy. “Was it this bad the last time?”

She shook her head. “No. It’s like she’s vacant this time. Last time, she responded.”

“Blake?” Bridgette stressed.

Desperate to do something, I grabbed Annie’s cheeks and brought my lips to hers. She struggled a few more seconds and then froze, her whole body going still until slowly, I felt her mouth start to move, easing into my kiss.

My heart about fell out of my chest in relief, and I pulled back, looking into those brilliant green eyes once again. “Hey, sweetheart. Welcome back.” I managed a small smile.

Annie blinked, confusion covering her features, and slowly, she looked past me to take in the room. I watched as panic filled her again, and she stepped back, her fingers fumbling on the desk behind her. She grabbed her Airpods and ducked down for her shoes as Izzy rushed over with her phone.

“I’ve gotta go,” she whispered, pushing through her mom and uncle to bolt past Tucker out the door.

ANNIE

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