Page 55

Story: Black Shadows

Phoenix nods and hums. “Back there?” She points to where the rooms are.
I give her a slight nod. “Yeah. First door on the left.”
I watch Phoenix disappear down the hall, and I sit there replaying the scene over and over in my head. My entire bodytenses as I think about the fear in her eyes. She couldn’t get away from me fast enough.
And that killed me. Shit.
I walk into the kitchen and open the refrigerator, pulling out a beer. Popping off the top, I take a long swig, letting the bitter cold taste slide down my throat. Placing the bottle on the counter, I pull out my phone and text the guys.
I’m not sure if any of them are up, but I’ll at least let them know what’s going on.
Me:
Hey, some shit went down with Rae. She had a nightmare and freaked out when I woke her up from it. Phoenix is here now, to try and calm her down.
Doc:
On my way.
Kayce:
Shit. Is she okay?
Me:
I don’t know. She looked fucking terrified.
Cameron:
Could be seeking some attention. Let her just sleep it off.
Kayce:
Cam, you’re a fucking asshole. She had a nightmare.
Cameron:
She’s just trying to make you feel sorry for her, and it’s working. You guys are idiots.
Me:
Enough, Cam.
Cameron:
Whatever, man. I’m going back to sleep. We have practice tomorrow. Unless the house is burning down, don’t bother me.
I place my phone down on the counter and shake my head. Cameron and his issue with Raelyn are starting to get under my skin. There’s no reason for it. She’s an innocent girl who was put in a shitty situation. I’m not doing anything different than I would for anyone else.
I’d never do this to someone he was trying to help.
And maybe that’s the difference between him and me. He wouldn’t help someone else. He wouldn’t put himself out for someone who needed help. He is focused on his career, himself. Which is fine, he’s allowed to do that, but it’s starting to put a rift between us. And that’s not a good thing.
About twenty minutes later, Tristan, Kayce, and Asher roll in. Phoenix is still with Raelyn, I’m sure helping her through whatever she saw in her dream.
“Dude. What happened?” Kayce frowns as he walks into the kitchen and takes a seat on the stool at the island.
I shake my head, not even knowing how to respond. “I… she screamed. She yelled my name, and I ran down there. She saw me and got scared.” I rub my chest at the thought of her face again.