Page 50 of In Plain Sight

Zander’s expression was sympathetic. “It sounds like you’re stuck between a rock and a hard place.”

“Yup.” I sighed and drank a few gulps of my beer. “It wouldn’t be so bad if my friends were the only things stressing me out, but of course I’ve got crap going on with my family and just life in general. It’s all dogpiling on me, and my anxiety is so muchworse than usual. That’s why I’ve been such a mess at work. It’s like living in a constant state of hypervigilance, like I’m expecting to be attacked at any given moment. I’m not sleeping well, I’m not eating right, and I spend so much time thinking in circles and catastrophizing everything that I can’t relax because my head is too busy.” I drained the last of my beer. “All that makes my anxiety worse, and it’s like a vicious cycle I can’t break free from.”

“Are you on medication or anything for it?”

“No. I tried a bunch when I was younger, but none of them helped. And I’m not like this all the time. Just when I’m stressed or have a lot going on.” I put my bottle on the coffee table, embarrassment sweeping through me. “Sorry.”

“Sorry?” he asked. “What for?”

“For unloading all that on you.” I scrubbed a hand through my hair. “You’re easy to talk to.”

He smiled. “I’m a good listener.”

“You really are. I told you more in the last however many minutes than I’ve told anyone in my life in forever.”

“Did it help?”

I nodded. Nothing had been solved, and I wasn’t any closer to finding solutions to my problems, but I felt better. Lighter, and like I wasn’t so alone.

“I’m glad.” He smiled. “And don’t feel bad for unloading on me or whatever. I asked if you needed to talk, remember? You’re not burdening me or putting too much on me or anything like that. You needed someone to listen, and I’m happy to be that person.”

“Thanks.” My chest tightened at his kind expression. He really was an awesome guy, and it felt like we were becoming friends. “I feel a lot better now.”

He smiled and tipped his head back to finish what was left in his bottle.

I’d been so busy talking I hadn’t noticed he’d almost finished his drink.

My eyes fell to his throat as he swallowed, my body tightening as I watched the bob of his Adam’s apple and the way the muscles worked.

I tore my gaze from his throat, my cheeks heating uncomfortably. “Do you want another one?” I asked.

Having another drink right now probably wasn’t the best idea, but I wasn’t ready for the night to end. I wanted to hang out with him a bit longer, even if it was a mistake.

8

ZANDER

Ring.Ring.Ring.

I jerked awake, my heart racing and my mind still clouded with sleep.

Blinking in the dark room, I groped on my night table for my phone, almost knocking it over as I grabbed it. Sitting up, I checked the screen.

“Mom?” I answered, my voice thick and hoarse.

“Why do you sound like you were asleep?” she asked, not bothering with a greeting.

“Because I was.” Still not fully awake, I pushed my hair back from where it had fallen over my face.

“It’s almost nine,” she said incredulously. “Did you plan to sleep your day away?”

I stifled a yawn. “No. What’s up?”

“I need you to help with the blood drive at church this weekend.”

“I’m working this weekend, same as every weekend.”

“You don’t work Sundays,” she pointed out. “You can take Saturday off just this once to help out.”

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