Page 50 of Beautiful Scars: Unshakeable

"I know," I manage. "I just... I don't want them to think I'm not okay. That I'm not getting better."

"Having nightmares doesn't mean you're not getting better," Chase points out. "Hell, we all have them. Comes with the territory. With this life."

"Besides," Ty adds, "they'd rather be woken up than know you're dealing with it all alone."

I take a sip of tea to hide my expression. "I'm not alone though, am I? I've got you guys."

"Damn straight," Chase declares, his face breaking out into a wide grin. "Now, want to help me convince Ty that I actually know what I'm doing?"

I tuck my legs underneath me, letting the warmth of the tea seep into my hands while I gather some courage. I have a question I've wanted to ask them for weeks now.

"Sure, but first..." I trace the rim of my mug nervously. "You guys being the ones down here tonight is kind of perfect. I've been thinking about something and wanted to talk to you."

Chase looks up from his papers, eyebrows raised. "That sounds serious."

"It's not." I shift in my chair, trying to find the right words. "Not really. I just… I was wondering if maybe one of you, or both of you could teach me some self-defense?"

The silence that follows makes me want to crawl under the table. Ty sets down his mug slowly, his expression neutral.

"Have you talked to Z or Levi about this?" he asks.

"Not yet." I stare into my tea. "I know they'll probably freak out. They're still so careful with me. It's like they think I might break."

"I don't think I'd ever call you breakable," Chase says firmly. "They're protective. For good reason, Sunny."

"I know that." Frustration creeps into my voice. "But I'm tired of being afraid. Of feeling helpless. When Garrett..." My voice catches. I take a breath. "When he had me, all I did was freeze up. I felt so helpless."

"That's a perfectly normal response," Ty reminds me gently. "It doesn't make you weak."

"Maybe not. I get it. It's normal. But it doesn't—it didn't—do much to help my situation either." I meet his eyes. "I don't want to learn how to fight I don't think. I just want... options. Ways to get away if I need to."

Chase leans forward, his usual playful demeanor serious. "You know none of us would ever let anything happen to you. Right?"

"You can't always be there though." The words come out smaller than I intend. "None of you can. I think we all know that now."

Ty sighs and leans back in his chair. He exchanges a look with Chase that I can't quite read. "You're right."

"I am?"

"Yes." He pushes aside his laptop. "And for what it's worth, I think it's a good idea. Basic self-defense, escape techniques—those are skills everyone should have."

Hope flutters in my chest. "So, you'll help?"

"We'll need to talk to Z and Levi first," Chase cuts in, his tone serious. "They need to be on board with it."

"I know." I wrap my arms around myself, a wave of apprehension washing over me. "I wanted to ask you guys first. You're less likely to immediately say no."

Ty's expression softens. "I don't think they're going to say no, Angel. They might worry a lot, but more than anything they want you to be safe."

"This is something I need from you though. Not them," I say, a hint of desperation creeping into my voice. “I know they'll want to be the ones to teach me, but it won't work. They're too close, too protective, too worried about anything hurting me. And that’s the last thing I need right now. I need to see myself differently. Stronger, more capable.”

Chase nods slowly, understanding furrowing his brow. “I get that. You don’t want their protection to hold you back.”

"Exactly," I insist.

Ty leans back, contemplating my words. “It’ll be tough for them. But having someone willing to push you—someone who believes you can handle it—that might be what you need.”

“That’s why I thought of you guys first,” I say, the conviction returning to my voice. “I need this to be real. I want to learn to fight back, not just wait to be rescued.”

---