Page 37 of Waiting to Lose
HE WATCHED HER chest rise and fall with each breath she took. He couldn’t look away from her. He pushed a loose strand of hair away from her face and studied her as her eyes danced under their lids. She must have been dreaming. Jake smiled as he wondered what she dreamt about. When she said his name, his heart leapt, and he was reminded of just how much she meant to him. He eased himself away from her, careful not to wake her, and pulled on a pair of jeans.
He treaded into the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of water before searching for his phone. Two voicemails. One was from Ang, wanting to make sure they were okay, and the other was from Rob, reassuring him that he had everything under control. Jake heard a buzzing coming from Madi’s purse and realized she didn’t have an overnight bag with her. He texted Ang and she replied immediately.
Ang: Want me to bring it over now?
Jake: She doesn’t need her clothes right now.
Ang: Oh, Jake! Is it TMI you kids always say?
Jake: Just thought you’d want to know she’s sleeping peacefully. Tomorrow morning would be great. Thanks, Ang. G’night.
Jake took a sip of his water and flipped through the emails on his phone.
Suddenly, Madi let out a blood-curdling scream. Jake dropped his phone and ran to his room, bursting through the door, ready to attack. Madi was tossing and turning in her sleep. Jake climbed next to her and pulled her into his arms. “It’s okay. You’re okay.”
Madi struggled in his arms before her eyes flicked open and desperately searched the room. When she found his face, her breathing slowed and she clung to him in desperation.
“Are you okay? You were dreaming.”
“Just a dream,” she said, as if she were trying to convince herself. She grasped his face in her hands. “I love you. You know that, right?”
“I do. Of course I do. Want to talk about it?” he asked as he ran his fingers soothingly through her long brown hair.
She sat up and rubbed her eyes, surveying the room as if she were trying to remember where she was. “I’m in your bed,” she said with a small smile.
“Um hmm,” he replied as he sat up next to her.
She glanced down at herself and then at him. “You’re dressed.”
“Just jeans. I went to get a bottle of water. Want one?”
Madi nodded her head. Within a minute, he was opening the cap and handing it over to her, watching her curiously.
She took a slow sip and glanced up at his expectant eyes. “What?”
“Are you going to tell me why you screamed in your sleep? You scared the shit out of me.”
“I screamed?”
“Yes, you did.”
“Hmmm…” Madi took another long drink before handing the bottle to Jake. He took a drink as well.
“I have to pee,” she said.
Jake shook his head and pointed to the bathroom. “You know where it is.”
“I’m naked,” she replied as she pulled the covers up around her.
Jake laughed. “So? You can’t tell me you’re suddenly shy around me.”
“I am. I’m not you. I don’t have confidence oozing from my pores.”
Jake pointed toward the door. “You undressed in my family room and I’ve seen everything, babe. There’snothingfor you to worry about.”
Madi sighed and gave him that look. Jake shook his head and climbed out of bed, retrieving a t-shirt for her, which she quickly pulled on.
“Thank you!” she said as she darted for the bathroom.
