Page 40 of Hiding for the Holidays
I pull the blanket up to my chin and grab my phone, checking the time. Ten p.m. I open the group chat and send the guys a message.
Me: Going to sleep now, goodnight.
I watch as the typing bubbles appear straight away for all three of them, making me smile.
Leo: Night shortcake.
Grant: Sweet dreams.
Asher: Call if you need me.
It was pretty much the same messages I got from them every night. Sometimes I really felt like they saw me as more than their employee. At first I thought they were flirting, but considering they treat me like that in front of each other, has me wondering if they actually see me as more of a little sister.
Telling me to call if I need help, the kisses on the forehead, holding my hand, the teasing nickname.
“Fuck,” I whisper as tears prickle at the edges of my eyes. “That’s it, isn’t it? I’m like a sister to them.” I rub angrily at my eyes. “What’s wrong with me? Why am I crying? I hate emotions!” I turn my face into my pillow and groan loudly.
They never implied they wanted more from me. They’ve made it clear that they just care about me. It’s my own fault for letting my feelings get mixed up in this job. I never planned on staying in Silent Pines, anyway. If I could just confirm that Scott isn’t looking for me anymore, then I could resume my life. I’m not that special. I’m sure he gave up weeks ago.
“You stupid little bitch. You think you could run from me?” Scott seethes from the darkness.
Everywhere I look is darkness. I try to run, but his voice follows me.
“If you don’t want to be with me, then you don’t get to be with anyone.” A loud bang from somewhere behind me has me screaming as I turn around. But there’s nothing there, only darkness.
“I’m gonna kill you, Rosalie.” This time his voice is a whisper right beside my ear. I scream, pulling away as my arms swing at nothing. Another bang rings out around me, making me jump in fear.
“What’s wrong, Rosalie?” Scott asks from directly in front of me. I squint, and his body starts to come into focus. “Did you think they could actually love a girl like you?”
“W-What?” I ask, stepping backwards. Another bang rings out around me as he steps towards me.
“You’re ugly, fat and annoying. They’ll never want you. Especially when I’m done with you.”
Suddenly he lunges towards me, and I scream, coveringmy head with my arms.
When he grabs me, his hands are strangely gentle.
“Baby, wake up, please.”
Wake up? When did I go to sleep? I try to open my eyes as my body reorients itself. I’m not standing in the darkness anymore, I’m sitting on my mattress. And Scott isn’t here trying to hurt me, it’s….
I look up into a pair of worried brown eyes. “Asher?”
“I’m here.”
Relief fills me, and I lunge forward, practically throwing myself against his chest as a few tears of relief escape. He wraps his arms around me and rocks me back and forth.
He’s kneeling on my mattress in my room. How did he get here?
“What happened?” I ask, feeling disoriented and confused.
“I heard you screaming.”
I tilt my head towards my door and see the doorframe is broken and my chair is in several pieces.
“Did you break the door down?” I ask in surprise.
His arms squeeze a little before he answers. “I needed to get to you.”
