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Fletcher clasped his hands in his lap. “I know you think I’m probably being overdramatic, but I feel better with you in here.”

I wished I could say the same. My heart had been racing knowing I’d be sleeping just feet away from him. “It’s nice that you look out for me,” I said instead.

“I think Maya’s happy to have Graham in the house too. She made me give him three kisses goodnight.”

I chuckled. “Big, bad Fletcher kissing the puppy?”

He smiled softly, rising from the bed. “Goodnight, Liv,” he said, my name like honey on his tongue.

“Goodnight, Fletcher.”

The room felt so empty without him in it, but I lay in bed, trying to rest. I wasn’t sure how long I slept, but the house was pitch black when I heard Fletcher’s voice coming from his room.

He was saying something, breathing hard. I could hear it even through my closed door. Worry gripped my heart.

I got out of bed, walking toward his room. On the way, I glanced in Maya’s room, seeing her sound asleep despite the noise.

I tiptoed to his door and found him thrashing in his bed, sweat on his forehead, illuminated by the night-light by the door.

He was saying something.

“Please. Stop. Help her.”

A nightmare. One that looked really bad.

I rushed to him, gently shaking his shoulder as my heart sped faster. “Fletcher,Fletcher.”

His eyes snapped open, wild and crazed like he couldn’t tell the difference between his dream and reality.

“It’s okay,” I soothed, running my hand over his arm. “You were having a nightmare.”

His breathing slowed inch by inch, and he ran his hands through his sweat dampened hair. “I’m sorry for waking you.”

I shook my head, studying him. His skin looked clammy, his eyes haggard. “Are you okay?”

He nodded, his jaw tight.

“Does this happen often?”

He didn’t quite nod or shake his head. “I’ll be fine. You can get some rest.”

I hesitated, not wanting to leave him after what I’d just seen. He’d seemed so distressed, both before and after he woke. “Okay... Goodnight.” I started walking away, but then I heard his voice.

“Can you sit with me... just until I fall asleep?” he asked.

My heart ached for him. “Of course.” I went to the bed, but instead of sitting, I lay beside him. Next to me, I could feel his thoughts going a million miles an hour, but I stayed quiet beside him. And then it came to me.

I started singing “Red River Valley.”

And by the end of the song, he was asleep.

31

Fletcher

When I woke up in the morning, Liv wasn’t in my bed anymore. I already missed her lying next to me, her voice soft as she sang me to sleep. In the daylight, something like that might have been embarrassing to ask for. But in the darkness, when my heart was still racing, I knew I needed her. I didn’t want to tough it out alone, knowing I’d sleep terribly and then feel like shit the next day.

I got out of bed and went to the kitchen to find her and thank her. Apologize if I stepped over a line, but when I got to the kitchen, I only saw Maya playing on the floor with Graham.