Page 51 of Break The Ice

“Two.”

I force my eyes closed and lock myself in the dark.

“Three.”

I twitch my index finger. It takes a phenomenal amount of effort to get it to bend.

“Four.”

I clench and unclench my muscles one by one, rolling through them.

“Five.”

I force one leg down and then the second.

“Six.”

I stand up and walk to the door. I am in control. I am safe. Everything is going to be fine.

“Seven.”

I put my hand on the doorknob and push down.

“Eight.”

I pull the door open, flinching slightly as I wait for someone to jump out.

“Nine.”

I step out, just one half a step, then another.

“Ten, I’m safe. I’m safe.”

I walk away from the room and the stench of my fear and almost trip on the way down the stairs. I feel wrung out and completely exhausted. My mouth has a weird taste, and I’m jittery like I can’t get my eyes to shut properly or my body to work like normal.

Kit is sitting on the couch when I get to the bottom of the stairs. He watches me but doesn’t say anything. I get the impression he really wants to.

I go into the kitchen and get a glass of water and down it. Then drink another. I grab an apple and wander back into the lounge.

“Where is everyone?”

“Emergency practice meeting.”

“Ah.”

“Ryann-”

Here we go. He’s going to ask, and I’m going to have to lie. I don’t want to lie. I’m sick of lying.

“Would you like to play Drunk Yoga with me?”

The question completely knocks all my spiraling thoughts out of my brain, leaving me racing to catch up.

“What?”

Kit pulls a bottle out from under the blanket and shows it to me. It's some kind of liquor that smells like chocolate and oranges.

“Drunk Yoga?”

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