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“Yes,” he says, his eyes piercing into mine. I can feel the sincerity in his words within every fiberof my being.

“I—I’m glad.” I lean my head into his chest and let out a small yawn.

“Go to sleep little one,” he murmurs against my hair.

“You’ll be here with me?” I whisper. “Even when I wake up?”

“I’ll be here when you wake up.”

“Okay,” I yawn. “You try and sleep too.”

I drift off, surrounded by Kane’s soothing pine forest scent.

CHAPTER 16

Chase

Ask anyone who knows me and they’ll tell you I’m the furthest thing from a morning person. The apocalypse could be happening outside and I’d still be asleep.

Maybe I’m a changed man now. I manage to jump out of bed at my third alarm.

My phone screen flashes at me. 8:33 AM.

That’s a record for me.

I can still remember Madden throwing one of my alarm clocks out the window of our fourth-story dorm room back in college because it went off for the dozenth time.

Well, I can definitely remember everyone telling me about that happening. To be completely honest, I don’t really remember since I was still asleep.

I shoot my sister a text as I head to the bathroom.

Chase

Morning Char, just got up, are we still on?

Charlotte

Holy shit, you’re actually awake

Chase

Shut up

Charlotte

You don’t get to tell me to shut up, I don’t even know if this is actually you right now

For all I know, this is just someone pretending to be you 'cause you’d never be awake three minutes after you told me you’d be awake

I laugh as I send her a selfie rolling my eyes and flashing her the middle finger.

Chase

Stop being dramatic, there, proof of life

Are we still on for today or not?

Charlotte