Page 22 of Shrouded in the Dark

“So, our bedrooms are on the second floor with the game room. The third floor is storage with two guest rooms.” Jasper started walking to the dining room table that was located off of the kitchen in the back. “We usually spend most of our time in the game room or the pool outside during the summer.” He set my things on the table gently.

“This place is beautiful.” My eyes roamed over the artwork on the walls, drinking in the different styles. “It feels like a home.”

Jasper grinned. “Glad you like it.”

I was about to reply when there was a crash upstairs followed by cursing.

“Damnit, Cody! I’m exhausted!” Axel’s deep voice echoed down the stairs. “I’m going to kill you!”

Cody’s laugh came closer, we watched him as he ran down the stairs. He spotted us as he jumped off the last two steps. “Becca! Save me!” His face was lit up in laughter, his grey eyes sparked in amusement as he ran toward me. “Don’t let him get me!”

I stumbled slightly when Cody grabbed my shoulders as he came to stand behind me, using me as a shield. His body was warm against my back and his hands clung to my shoulders tightly. My throat started to close.

“It was just a prank!”

“A prank!?”

Axel came down the stairs just then and I fought the laughter that bubbled up. He was soaking wet. His hair was drenched and his white muscle shirt was clinging to him. His sweat pants were wet around his hips but dry at the bottoms.

My mouth went dry as his appearance distracted me from my anxiety. Axel’s shirt was wet enough that the outlines of the muscles of his chest and stomach were clearly defined. I had to blink a few times and internally slap myself. This was the guy your best friend likes. Stop staring! Remember Felicity!

“You are a fucking ass! You knew I was up all night pat—!” He stumbled over his words as he finally noticed that Cody was standing behind me. “You ass.”

“It’s not my fault that you sleep like a hibernating bear when I try to wake you up, when it’stimeto wake up!”

Cody pressed into my back and I went rigid. My heart raced and I tried to focus on breathing but it started coming out in short breaths. Too much. Too close.

Jasper got in front of Axel as he looked down at me in concern. I clutched my chest as I felt my throat close. Stop it, Becca. Deep breaths. They were close. Too close.

“Cody, back up. Stop touching her. Jasper, step back.”

Axel pulled Jasper back and grabbed Cody’s hands off my shoulders. Then he gently took my hand and led me across the room from them as I started to gasp for air. It helped when I realized they didn’t follow. Axel stepped away from me but he bent his knees so I could see his eyes. They were furrowed in concern and the color of chocolate helped me focus. My breath was easier to catch now that my heart had calmed down. He’d led us to the corner of the room near the kitchen. He’d turned me so I didn’t see the other two.

“There you go,” Axel mumbled softly. “Felicity told me what to do if I was ever with you and you had an attack. You doing better?”

I nodded. I was a little surprised that I’d come up in conversation when he was with Felicity. I’d have to talk to her about it.

“Thanks. Sorry.” I felt the blush I’d been fighting outside spread across my face. “I just have a hard time with new people and crowding,” I whispered as I felt shame at it. Cody hadn’t done anything on purpose. He’d been including me in his playfulness.

“Hey. Don’t apologize. There’s nothing to be sorry about.” Axel offered me a sweet smile as he straightened up. “Let me get you a glass of water.” He walked into the kitchen.

My heart rate slowed to normal as the adrenaline faded as I took deep slow breaths. I turned slowly to face the other two that had come closer but were still a safe distance away.

“Cody, I’m really so—.”

He interrupted me, looking ashamed. “Don’t say you’re sorry. I’m the one who should apologize. I know I have a personal space issue with people I like.”

I didn’t like seeing him look so sad. Cody was nothing but nice to me yesterday. I smiled at him.

“Don’t be sorry. This is just me and my stupid anxiety. You couldn’t have known because I didn’t tell you, right?” I stepped forward and touched his right arm hesitantly, not sure if it would be welcome.

He grabbed my hand in both of his and squeezed them. His grey eyes were earnest as he looked down at me. “You’re okay, though?”

I grinned. “Yup. Axel was pretty awesome. That’s probably one of the shortest anxiety attacks I’ve ever had.”

“Felicity just mentioned the signs to look out for,” Axel grumbled gruffly as he came back over to us carrying two glasses of water. He handed me the first glass of ice water. “Here you go.”

“Thanks.” I pulled my hands from Cody’s gently as I took the water from Axel. The first sip felt good going down my throat.