Page 21 of Tone Deaf

“Anyway,” Lyric stands. “The real reason I came in here is that, even though I love hearing you play, the patient next door doesn’t. Mr. Dillon requests that you stop playing and go to sleep.” He wrinkles his nose and has a growly tone to his voice, mimicking a grouchy old man.

I chuckle. “Got it.” I ask Lyric to place the guitar in the stand and move it away from the bed. “Thanks.”

“No prob. If you need anything, I’m right outside.” With that, Lyric leaves.

I recline my bed, settle in and quickly fall asleep. But just as fleetingly, my nightmares begin to assault me and I’m being attacked. Fists punch my face. Boots kick my torso—I try to curl up in a ball, but the attack keeps coming.

A scream is lodged in my throat, and my entire body is shaking.

“Wake up, sweetheart. It’s Dom. Wake up.”

I blink several times before the frenzy of my rapidly beating heart calms and my eyes settle on Dom’s handsome, rugged face. “Dom?”

“It’s okay. I’m here,” Dom says in a soothing tone I haven’t heard him use before.

“I was being at—” I utter shakily.

“It was a dream, I’m here now,” he whispers hoarsely.

Still shaky, I reach for his hand. “Please don’t leave.”

“I’m not going anywhere.”

“Lay with me?” I plead, and grip his hand tighter.

“Are you sure I won’t hurt you by laying down next to you?”

“No.” I gingerly move over, making room so Dom can climb into the bed. I’d gladly give up the majority of the space to feel his body against mine. To feel the solace his touch gives me. Anything to keep from sinking back into the nightmare in my head.

“As long as you’re okay. I don’t want Lyric coming in here and chasing me out.” Dom settles on his side, before he cups my face. His touch soothes away the panic and eases my racing heart.

“Where did you go?” I ask while nuzzling my face against his chest, but my entire body still trembles.

“I went to help an old friend I used to work with.” He draws me closer to his body and I appreciate his warmth and his solid presence.

The solemnity of what he said has me questioning why this was such a big deal for Pen. “That’s it? No other explanation?” I question.

“What do you want me to say?” He pulls back, and I see his brows furrow into a deep crease.

“I don’t know… Maybe try giving a better explanation for why you ghosted Pen and left him in the dark about where you went?” I can't hide the small irritation. He’s acting like what he did was no big deal — but itwasfor Pen. Why? “Pen’s upset. You need to talk to him.”

“I know.” His arms tighten even more around me. “And I’ll fix it tomorrow. Promise.”

“It is tomorrow,” I frown, then groan from the slight pain shooting across my face. “You better do it soon because I hate seeing him looking like someone kicked his puppy.”

Dom chuckles.

“It’s not funny.” I jab a finger in his chest.

He loosens his hold a bit. “I’m sorry, and yeah, it’s not funny. I will talk to Pen when he gets here. But someone kicked his puppy?”

I poke him again. “Again, not funny.”

He kisses my temple. “You’re right.”

I meet Dom’s eyes—those dark brown depths hold a wealth of secrets. But I don’t push. “Good.” I’m not normally a touchy-feely kind of man, but in this moment—especially after waking up from a nightmare, Dom lying beside me feels good, like this is our normal. Like we have a life where there’s no contempt or pressure from people around us. Including any pressures we might put on each other.

Just because I’m enjoying this now doesn’t mean that Dom, Pen and I are going to be together. Sleeping with them doesn’t mean I want a commitment. And Dom holding me doesn’t mean we’re together either.