Page 24 of Walker

“I just don’t want anyone to be hurt because of me.” My heart is heavy at the thought, the guilt is something I have lived with since I was seventeen years old.

“Baby, please don’t worry about us, trust me when I say that we are meaner than fucking Josh. Get that shit out of your mind and let me hold your ass.” Walker’s voice is gruff but I can see the softness in his eyes.

“Yes sir,” I whisper.

The softness is out the window when I turn around and lay on Darren trying not to laugh because I feel Walker’s eyes on my back.

“Trouble,” Darren says to me quietly.

Yeah, maybe just a little bit. I peek back at Walker and see him smiling at the TV as he turns it on.

I reach my hand back, feeling for Walker’s hand and I take it, resting it on my hip. I just need them both always touching me.

His hand snakes under my shirt. He feels up and down my hip, stopping. “Fuck, she doesn’t have panties on.”

I suck in my lips forgetting about that fact and slide off Darren lying on my back pulling the covers over my face. “I’m not a hussy, I promise.”

It’s silent for way too long and I peek out of the blanket just as they burst out laughing, a booming whole body shaking laugh.

I throw the blanket off my face and give them both the stink eye. Darren wipes under his eyes. “What about a fucking hussy?” Walker laughs even louder at that.

“I hope tonight that you accidentally grab Walker’s dick.” I point at Darren, and he snorts and this time I join in, not able to help myself.

“You’re just fucking precious.” Walker laughs pulling me to him, hugging me tight. I smile and hug him back happy.

Walker reaches over and turns off the light, putting the room into darkness. Darren wraps his arm around my middle, pressing against my back. “Goodnight,” I tell them both, yawning.

Two kisses are pressed to the top of my head. I smile and close my eyes. I’m in so much trouble.

A weird sound pulls me from my sleep, I rub my eyes looking around the room. I lift my head off Walker when I feel movement beside me.

Darren is sweating, his breathing labored, his face showing he’s in pain. His hands are fisted at his sides in the blanket. He tries to move his arms, but he can’t get anywhere.

“Please don’t hurt her.” My heart plummets at his words.

I shake Walker’s arm to wake him, he startles awake sitting up. “Darren,” I whisper and point to him.

Walker walks around the bed. I sit back on the bed holding my hand to my mouth. I’m shaking with nerves and the pain of what he could be going through right now.

I know PTSD, I deal with it every day, but seeing it on someone I care about is hard.

“Darren.” Walker puts his hand on his shoulder and Darren's eyes snap open looking around the room like he is still seeing whatever he was dreaming.

Walker turns on the bedside lamp giving the room a soft glow. Darren's eyes are large and I can see fear in them, he’s still trapped in his dream.

“Darren, can I touch you?” I ask him, wanting permission before I do anything that can cause him distress.

He nods and I crawl over to him, my heart pounding. Walker is staring at him, concerned.

I wrap my legs on either side of him, pulling him to me until his head is resting on my shoulder, my hands running up and down his arms.

He holds my leg with shaking hands. “I’m here,” I whisper in his ear, kissing the side of his head, resting my head on top of his.

Tears fill my eyes to feel him break apart like this. Walker looks like he is just as tortured as I am.

“Darren, do you want to talk about it?” I ask him.

He lets out a ragged breath. Sitting up, he rubs his face hard like he can wipe it all away. He looks to me and Walker who sits down in front of him.

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