Page 23

Liam

Something jolts me awake.

Lying on the couch, I wonder if it’s just the distant crash of the ocean waves or the quiet creaks of the old beach house. Closing my eyes, I decide to go back to sleep but I hear it again.

A choked sob.

I sit up immediately, scanning the living room. Another gasp sounds from somewhere nearby, alerting me.

As my eyes adjust to my dim surroundings, I realize Hayden’s the one making the sounds. My pulse quickens, propelling me off the couch.

“...Please...don’t do this to me...please...” Hayden sobs, kicking his legs in his sleep. “Please...I’m sorry...I’m sorry...please, Dad...”

His body twists like he’s in deep pain. The blanket tangles around his legs, making him struggle harder in his sleep.

My heart squeezes at the sight. I switch on a table lamp, hoping the brightness will wake him up.

But Hayden remains trapped in his nightmare. Sweat glistens on his forehead, dampening his dark strands. His handsome face is strained with fear, his lips trembling with broken words as he pleads with the monster in his dream.

Hayden is the strongest guy I’ve ever known. After watching him play tonight, I doubt anyone can rival him when it comes to strength and agility.

Hayden was almost godlike during the game. His opponents kept coming at him, determined to break him but he never gave them the satisfaction to see him weak or defeated.

His willpower was stronger than their villainous greed to win.

But now, he’s shaking and twisting under the blanket like he’s terrified to death about something.

Swallowing hard, I sink on the floor. I have to wake him up and free him from his nightmares.

Reaching out, I gently shake his shoulders. “Hayden,” I call out in a gentle voice to avoid shocking him awake. “Hayden, wake up.”

Hayden flinches. His fingers dig into the blanket, like he’s trying to hold onto something.

“Hayden, it’s okay,” I say, my voice a little louder. I hold his hand in mine and squeeze. “It’s just a dream. You’re safe with me now. Just open your eyes and see that it’s me.”

A shuddering breath escapes him. His eyelids flutter before suddenly flying open. He stares at me with wide silvery eyes before lunging at me.

Hayden’s strong arms wrap around me before I can react. He pulls me against him in a desperate, almost suffocating embrace.

My world tilts as Hayden throws me onto the couch and climbs on top of me. I gasp, trying to regain my senses as he pins me underneath him. Waves of heat radiate from his hard chest, making me realize he’s suffering from a fever.

He gasps hard, his entire body radiating with heat and raw power.

Staying still, I meet his wild gaze. “Hey,” I say softly. “It’s just me.”

He stares at me, waiting.

“Hayden, you can relax. I’m not going anywhere.”

A shuddering breath escapes him as he closes his eyes. He lowers his body onto mine but doesn’t fully press his weight on me.

Little by little, Hayden’s breathing slows. The tension in his body melts into exhaustion and he rests his face in the crook between my neck and shoulder.

“You were having a nightmare,” I murmur.

Hayden doesn’t respond. He just presses his lips against my neck.

Then, he shifts, loosening his hold on my wrists.

He sits back, allowing me to get up from the couch.

I scoot closer to him and gently move the dark, sweaty strands falling over his eyes. His cheeks are flushed and he looks like he’s in a lot of pain again. “You’re burning up,” I murmur.

He stays silent as he leans into my touch.

“I’ll be right back,” I whisper.

I’ve barely turned away when he grabs my wrist, stopping me in my tracks.

“Hayden,” I say, looking back at him. “Don’t worry. I’m just going to get you some Advil. It’ll help with the pain and reduce your fever.” Sitting on the couch beside him, I kiss his cheek gently. “Just relax, okay? I’ll be back in a minute.”

This time, Hayden lets me go.

I rush upstairs to my bedroom. Opening the door, I switch on the lights and head into the bathroom.

The first aid box should be somewhere in the cabinet over the sink. Opening the wooden shutters, I find it sitting on one of the shelves.

A sliver of relief flows through me as I bring out the box. Opening it, I rummage among the strips of pills and tubes of ointment, finally finding what I was looking for.

Taking the Advil pills, I hurry downstairs.

Hayden looks up as I enter the room. A faint smile lifts the corners of his lips as I step closer to him.

“Here, take these,” I say, handing him a pill and a bottle of water.

Hayden readily obeys, swallowing the pill with an exhausted look on his face.

“Here, lie down,” I say, easing him back onto the couch.

“My head hurts,” he moans, squeezing his eyes shut.

I don’t doubt him. The number of times he got hit with a hockey stick in the face was unnerving. Thank God for his sturdy helmet or those awful Bears would’ve broken his skull into pieces!

“I know, darling,” I whisper, gently caressing his hair. “Just try to sleep, okay?”

He nods and closes his eyes but he fails to hide his discomfort.

Seeing him in pain makes me feel restless. I cover him with the blanket and get to my feet.

I head into the kitchen and fill a pot with cold tap water. Next, I bring out some clean towels and go back to the living room.

Kneeling on the floor by the couch, I dip a towel in the water and dampen it fully. Then, I wring it out and lay the cold, wet cloth on Hayden’s forehead.

Hayden sighs, his eyelashes fluttering. “This feels nice.”

My lips quirk. “Yeah?”

Hayden hums in response, his pained expression melting away.

I wet another towel and use it to wipe his neck, shoulders, and arms.

It takes a while but Hayden’s body finally relaxes. The fever medicine must’ve kicked in by now, helping him feel better.

Hayden’s breathing soon evens out, his face losing the tight lines of pain and discomfort.

He’s finally asleep.

My fingers brush against Hayden’s hand, resting lightly against his bruised knuckles. I’ve never felt so protective over anyone in my life.

“I’ll never allow your dad to hurt you again,” I whisper my promise to him.

I have no idea what I can do to help him, but I’m determined to stay at Hayden’s side and protect him. I will never make him feel like he’s all alone in this world. As long I’m breathing, he’ll always have me.