Page 86 of Puck You
The voice grew louder, and suddenly a light broke through the empty space.My eyes fluttered open, flashes of a familiar face filling my vision.Sebastian was hovering over me, green eyes wide in a look of pure terror.The shock of seeing him broughtall sensation back to my body.I let out a loud groan.
“Can you hear me?”
Placing my palms flat on the floor, I started to push myself up, but Sebastian reached out to stop me.
“Don’t move too fast.You might have hit your head.”
My gaze swept across the room and stopped on the hulking form of Bryce.He had worry lines etched into his forehead.The last thing I remembered was setting out a mat to stretch after my run.I tried to move my shaky legs, but it was more difficult than expected.
“You passed out,” Bryce said.
I’d run pretty hard for about an hour before switching off the treadmill.Though I’d felt a bit lightheaded at the end, I hadn’t thought I was close to passing out.
“Did you eat anything today?Drink any water?”
The questions came from Sebastian, who was looking at me with so much concern you would have thought I’d broken my leg or severed an appendage.
“No,” I admitted, hanging my head in shame.“I forgot to eat breakfast.”
It was a rookie mistake.I knew better than to train with nothing in my stomach, but I felt so unwell when I woke up this morning that I couldn’t find it in me to eat breakfast.Just for a few hours, I wanted to forget about everything.
“Why are you here?Sundays are strictly rest days.”
“Why are you here?”I shot back.I knew Sebastian was only worried about me, but I was still feeling defensive after my argument with Sam.
He finally helped me into a sitting position, having decided I was aware enough to move.Once I was upright, Bryce handedme a cup of water, a protein bar, and a Gatorade.
“Caroline tracked your location.After I get you home, you’re sharing it with me,” he said with narrowed eyes.“What are you doing here on a Sunday?”
How could I admit to him that I was here to forget about my rapidly devolving family relations?My own father and sister had betrayed me.Just like my mother had.
“Bryce, can you give us a minute?”
I chugged the water as Bryce disappeared, my body sagging in relief as the cool liquid eased the back of my raw throat.Almost immediately, Sebastian tossed aside the cup and replaced it with the bright blue sports drink.
“What’s going on, Grace?”
I didn’t answer because it was easier than lying to him.
“You stopped answering my texts last night and didn’t pick up when I called you five times this morning.I was really worried.”
I dropped my head between my knees and said, “It’s just stress.I thought a run could help clear my mind, but I pushed myself too far.It won’t happen again.”After Sam’s reaction, I was terrified to confide in Sebastian.What if he agreed with her?What if he thought I was a coward just like my sister did?
“Look at me,” he commanded.
I did as I was told, even at the risk of losing myself in his eyes.
“I don’t think you have a concussion, though I’m sure you’ll feel sore tomorrow.You know better than to push yourself like that.”
I nodded my head in agreement and took a long swig of Gatorade.
“Please tell me what’s going on.Let me help you.”
He was the only person left on my side, even if he didn’t know it.“What if you leave?I can’t lose anyone else.”
“I’m not going to leave you, Grace.I would never do that.”
His words should have soothed me, but they had the opposite effect.Something was truly broken inside me.It was the only explanation.
