CHAPTER 14

I followed her up the two flights of stairs like a goddamn puppy dog. I would’ve gone anywhere with Journey. But when my feet hit that top step on the third floor, an unexplained dread weaseled its way through my core. I stopped, and so did she.

“Somethin’…” I shook my head. Words stuck in my throat, and my tongue was too thick to talk. I tried to take my hand from hers, but her fingers laced through mine and held on tighter.

“It’s okay, Gray.” Journey’s voice swam in my ears, barely penetrating the haze in my mind.

Fuck, fuck, fuck. What the hell was wrong with me?

Her lips touched mine. Every bit of anxiety I had vanished into nothingness. I leaned into her with a moan. Fingers wrung in my shirt and held me close.

“Good boy, Gray,” she whispered. “Stay with me. Okay?”

I just nodded, unable to form a damn thought to save my life. Hand-in-hand, I let her pull me forward. My legs were lead as I followed blindly.

Right, left… right, left… one in front of the other…

“Sit down, sweet boy.” Her hands trailed down my sides and gently pushed me back. My ass hit a soft surface. The weight of everything carried me until I hit a pillow. I groaned, sinking further into it.

No… no…

Did I say that out loud?

My mouth was so… weird. Words felt weird.

“Relax, Gray,” she said. I shook my head and tried to sit up. Did I try to sit up? Was I even moving?

“He’s strong,” someone cut in. Who? What was…

“Stop fighting me, Gray,” Journey ordered. “It’s okay. Just breathe. Think happy thoughts.”

Happy…

“Happy place…” I muttered, my head rolling to the side. A flash of a face ebbed into the darkness of my mind—handsome and familiar. “Happy place…”

Something pricked my arm, and I couldn’t flinch.

“Happy place, Ryder…” I whispered. A comforting warmth spread under my skin. My body relaxed, melting. That face sharpened. I knew that face. I adored that face. “Cardigans… baby, we need cardigans…”

Ocean waves echoed in my ears, soothing and welcoming.

Oceans and cardigans…

Happy place…

Happy place with Ryder…