Page 27 of Breathing

I knew, down in the very depths of my soul, Whiler wouldneverhurt me. Andthatwas how I knew I was making the right decision to tie myself to him.

“Not some drama-filled shit,” Jessie snapped at her best friend. “You know I can’t stand that shit.”

Adelaide cut her a weird look. “Um, what the hell do you think trashy television is?”

Elaina snickered and sipped her drink. Alejandro was on kid duty at the clubhouse, so she was currently kid-free. Sam, River’s VP, and his wife, Reina, were at the clubhouse with him with their kids. One of them was autistic and didn’t do well with too much going on. I’d been a bit disappointed that Reina wouldn’t join us, but she assured me she’d be more than happy to hang out tomorrow. She was sweet, a little sassy, and together, in the little time we’d known each other, drove our men up the wall.

Adelaide won on choosing the television show, and some show I didn’t even know the name of was turned on. I had to admit though, it was entertaining to watch all the drama unfold on screen.

Before long, Elaina, Adelaide, and Jessie retired to the guest rooms, and I was left alone in the dark with just my empty glass and the quietly playing TV as my company.

I knew I should go upstairs and get ready for bed, too, but I was scared to go to sleep. What if my medicine didn’t work that well, and I woke up screaming from a nightmare? Or what if it was a flashback that I couldn’t wake myself up from? Whiler and I had dealt with our fair share of those, and he had a specific way of coaxing me awake, a way of breaking through the memory haunting my subconscious mind to bring me back to him.

Sighing, I stood to my feet and took my empty glass to the kitchen. I stared out the kitchen window to the front yard as I rinsed my glass out. The guys were still sitting in chairs and on the ground around the fire, beers in their hands. It was clear they were laughing and having a good time, no doubt giving Whiler shit for being the next one to settle down.

Why did I have to want a traditional wedding? Why couldn’t we have just gotten hitched at the courthouse and never have been parted tonight?

Sighing, I set the glass in the dishwasher and shut the door on it before leaning back against the counter and scrubbing my hands down my face.

My scarred hands. Nothing short of skin grafting or laser surgery would make the scars disappear or at least lessen in appearance. Whiler had offered, but I’d declined. Sometimes, they bothered me, but most of the time, it helped me remember how strong I was. That I’d gone through hell and come out on the other side alive. Stronger. Better than ever.

“Why don’t you just call him?” Elaina asked softly from the doorway of the kitchen.

I squeaked in alarm, my hand slapping to my chest all while I reached for the sharpest thing near me—the kitchen scissors. Whiler had made sure I knew how to defend myself after what I’d gone through. Not only was I now licensed to carry concealed, but he also had bought me three guns. One was always on my person when I was out of the house, the other in our bedroom, and the last one in my new car under the seat.

That didn’t include all the guns my soon-to-be husband owned that he’d had stashed all over the house.

“He’s having fun,” I told her quietly, not wanting to wake the others. “And the whole point of this was so we didn’t see each other tonight.”

She shrugged. “If you ask me, that tradition is overrated.” I laughed a little. “Call him, hun. That man will move mountains to make you feel safe.” She covered her hand with mine; I hated that it was trembling from the adrenaline of being unexpectedly frightened. “We know how you feel. None of us will bat an eye. I promise.”

I blew out a soft breath, watching as she turned and left the kitchen, heading back to her room. Sighing, I went into the living room and grabbed my phone off the charger. Then, I grabbed a blanket and walked out onto the porch, settling on the porch swing at the end that Whiler had installed a couple of months ago.

I clicked on his name and raised my phone to my ear as I wrapped the blanket around my shoulders and tucked my feet under me.

“Cannon?” he asked quietly. I could see him walking away from the fire a bit to get some privacy. His body turned toward the house. “You okay, baby? Is that you on the porch?”

“I don’t want to fall asleep by myself tonight,” I told him.

Immediately, he began eating up the distance between the bonfire and the porch. “All you have to do is say the word,” he reminded me. “I’m always yours to call on.”

I drew in a deep breath, my chest loosening with each step that brought him closer to me. He hung up when he began climbing the wooden steps, his boots quiet on the new boards he’d installed a few weeks ago.

“Hey,” I breathed as he settled on the swing next to me.

He wrapped me up in his arms and pulled me closer so I was sitting on his lap, curled into a small ball. “Hey, baby.” He pressed his lips to the top of my head. “I’m here now.” He rested his chin on the top of my head. “You can sleep now. I’ll always protect you.”

I pressed my lips to his throat, my eyelids quickly growing heavy. “I know you will,” I murmured. He tightened the blanket around my shoulders. “I can’t wait to become your wife tomorrow.”

He began to slowly rock us. “I’ll be the best husband you’ve ever fucking had,” he swore. “And I swear to you, no man will ever treat you better than I will.”

I smiled because I knew that.

It was one of the reasons I’d agreed to marry him.

We were oil and water. We weren’t supposed to mix. Oil always rested on top, and some people thought it might smother the water.

But Whiler didn’t smother me.

---