Page 40 of Just Breathe

Jane

Olive Juice.I startled awake in someone’s arms. I took a deep breathe feeling safe for a second, thinking it was all a dream, that I didn’t lose my husband or my baby. This was Henry holding me and we didn’t get into an accident, that our baby was in the room next door or that I didn’t end up completely alone.

“You ok?” I tensed at the voice, taking me a minute to realize it was Aiden.

I looked up to see him, but only saw an outline of his head. Another person was behind me and I realized there was another arm around me. I assumed it had to be Callum or Nathan, but how the hell did I end up here? I looked down at myself, feeling I was wearing someone else’s clothes.

“Jane, are you ok?” he asked again.

“What happened?” My voice was scratchy and dry, like I hadn’t used it in a while.

“Do you remember anything?” He sounded nervous.

The arm around me tightened, whoever was behind me groaned and scooted closer to me. I felt confused for a moment.

“What’s the last thing you remember?” Aiden tried to get me to talk again.

“I remember Mario Kart and kicking Nathan’s ass while I hustle you all.” I cleared my throat.

“It was a slight win, not an ass kicking.” Nathan groaned, pulling away and sitting up. “What time is it?”

Aiden reached over to the nightstand and turned his phone on, never pulling away from me. “Its five fifty-two.”

“Is it Thursday?” I asked, getting up in shock.

“Yes,” Aiden answered.

The door to the bedroom opened. “Are you guys OK?” I recognized Callum’s sleepy voice.

“Jane’s awake,” Nathan replied.

“Are you ok?” Worry laced his tone as he got closer, making the bed dip as he got on the bed.

“I’ve been out for a whole day?” I couldn’t believe it. My brain felt sluggish, like I had the worst hangover and brain fog.

“You remember Mario Kart, but do you remember what happened afterwards?” Aiden pushed again.

“Maybe we should give her a moment?” Nathan growled at Aiden.

“I think she deserves to remember,” Aiden snapped.

“What if it happens again?” Nathan moved on the bed, turning towards us.

“Then it happens again. She needs to heal and maybe this is the only….”

“I’m right here,” I snapped, interrupting Aiden. “Don’t talk about me like I’m not here. My family does that, and it really irritates the fuck out of me.”

“I think we all need to chill out. Jane needs to drink water and eat. After that, maybe we can talk about what happened at her shift,” Callum reprimanded.

“Shift?” I questioned. It finally dawned on me and what happened. “Holy shit, I remember.” I covered my mouth before a sob escaped.

“Way to go, Callum,” I heard Nathan say.

“I’m so sorry.” I felt so guilty about what they had to put up with. “I’ve been trying to get better. Coming here was supposed to help, but I guess….” My voice broke because I knew I wasn’t getting better.

“You have nothing to feel sorry for. I think this was a good thing because you let out whatever was bothering you.” Callum reached for my hand, squeezing it, and I squeezed back.

I thought about what he said about letting it out. “I…” I stopped myself, feeling guilty about unleashing more emotions on them.

---