Page 71 of Nightmare

“Why is he here?” I ask, stepping closer to her – trying to soak up her warmth to settle my nerves.

“I don’t know, Liv.”

My stomach turns to lead, I move to look at the three men that are just standing and watching us from a few feet away, they look concerned, each of them, and I shake my head a little before I return my attention to Summer.

A chill snakes down my spine, as the feeling of being watched – being followed – fills me up, making me feel like I’m about to explode. I’m too exposed, I’m too raw.

I need to run away from this feeling.

“I want to go home.” I say quietly to my best friend.

I need to feel safe.

I don’t want to be anywhere near where he is.

* * *

Four hours later,Travis is pulling his Rover up to the curb of Summer’s building. I’m out of the car before he even puts it in park, Summer swinging her door open behind me. I pull my bag from the trunk before the boys even make their way out of the car, then I’m turning towards the doors of the building.

“Liv!” Travis’s voice calls from behind me, so I turn to face him. He’s looking at me like he’s in pain, he takes the fifteen steps to meet me where I’m gripping the front doors before he speaks again, “Wait.”

His hands reach towards me, and I flinch. He freezes midair, hands circling my face from a distance.

“Let me come upstairs with you.”

My eyes fill with tears, my panic attack hasn’t stopped since we left the bar in the Hamptons, so I can barely look at him.

I take a small step backwards, “I just need some space.”

His hands fall back down to his sides, “Don’t push me away, pretty girl. Please.”

I’m shaking my head before he even finishes his sentence, because I can’t listen to this right now. I need to go inside. I need to turn all the lights off, crawl under the blankets and breathe through this.

I need to get my control back.

“I’ll call you.” I whisper, my eyes focused on my feet, because if I look him in the eye, I’ll break down.

“Olivia.” He says, but I don’t look at him, I just turn and pull the door open – making my way to the elevator.

Chapter Thirty-Three

Olivia

“She’s beenin bed for three days. She’s barely come out from under the blankets to eat.”

Summer’s voice pulls me from sleep, so I slide the blankets off my head half an inch to look at her. She’s on the phone, sitting on the little sofa by the door, picking at her nails in her lap.

“No, don’t come over. I’m getting her up today. I’ll have her call you.”

She hums a little, then says goodbye before hanging up the call and looking over at me. She sees my eyes peeking out under the blanket then jumps up, racing towards me.

“Babe.” Her voice is comforting, just the thing I need, so my stomach turns to mush. My eyes fill with tears, as I reach for her when she lays down next to me.

“Who were you talking to?” I ask.

She gives me a small smile, “Travis. He’s worried about you.”

My head is pounding, and my stomach sinks at the mention of his name. I close my eyes, nestling into the blankets further before I answer her. “That’s over.”

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