Page 56 of Pucking Obsessed

I feel warm inside.

“I have a recurring nightmare.” Cody’s voice is wet with tears. “I’m trapped in my bedroom, and the door is being broken down. I’ve locked it, but someone outside is hammering on it. The door is cracking. Slowly, it’s giving way. I can’t quite remember who it is but I’m terrified. I know what will happen, when they get through.”

My chest is tight. Dread coils through me. My heart hammers.

I don’t want Cody to say it, but at the same time, I know exactly what he means because I have dreams like that about the Room.

“Except, the dream is more a memory,” Cody whispers. “And the man on the other sidedidget through one Halloween. Ryn was away, staying over with friends for the weekend. Dad had the door replaced the next day. And I lied that I’d got into a fight.But I still have the dreams.”

When Cody sobs, I draw him into a one armed hug.

It's awkward. I’m not good at this. I’m not my twin.

Cody clings to me, however, as he struggles to get his breathing back under control.

“I have nightmares too,” I admit. “What’s important is that you’re not trapped in that bedroom any more. You did get out. You have your own home. You have a husband who loves you unconditionally. You have me at your side.You’re never going back into that room.”

“Thanks.” Cody pulls back, wiping the back of his hand roughly across his eyes. “Seriously, what would Ryn think? You come over here for physical therapy, but instead, we inhale scones, and I cover you in tears and snot.”

I wipe at my t-shirt. “Only tears.”

“That’s okay then.” Cody plays with my fingers like he needs the distraction. “You’re doing well on your recovery, despite the setbacks. You should be out of that sling in a couple of weeks.The consultants think that it’ll be a few more months yet, before you’ll be back to normal activities. For a gym bunny like you, that’s good, right? This is a serious injury, and no promises on what the long term effects will be. But you’re my most dedicated patient. I’ve never met anyone who works harder. Still, don’t push yourself past your limits.”

I avoid his gaze. “I can take pain.”

“We both can.” Cody’s expression hardens. “But we shouldn’t have to anymore. This type of pain isn’t good. Slow down and listen to your body.”

“What if my body is broken?” I growl.

I’m not talking about my shoulder injury or my concussion.

We both know that.

Cody looks troubled. “Sometimes, I feel as broken as the door in my nightmare. It takes Mike to pull me out of those moods. I feel whole, when I’m with him. He’s my sanctuary. The person who holds me in the night to bring me back to a world where I’m safe. Isn’t it the same, when you’re with Ryn?”

CHAPTER NINE

Captain’s Hall, Freedom

Shay

My eyes flutter open.Instantly, I meet Robyn’s beautiful gaze.

How long has she been awake, watching me sleep?

She kisses me. “Morning.”

“Morning, love.”

I wish that every Sunday morning could start like this.

Each night that I go to sleep, I can’t help the fear that all of this is a dream and I’ll wake up back in my dark past.

But then, when I wake up in Robyn’s arms, relief and happiness surge through me.

It makes me feel fucking alive.

Only Robyn has that effect on me or to be fair, D’Angelo.

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