Free Gold Shimmer by P. T. Michelle Page A

releases me as Jake’s eyes widen in disbelief. “You’re fucking kidding me, right?”
    Gavin’s dark gaze hardens behind his mask. “You don’t come into my home and cause problems with my family. I’m not going to ask you again.”
    Once Jake storms out, Gavin sighs heavily at Bash and me. “Do you two think you can control yourselves the rest of the evening? I’d actually like to enjoy the party.”
    Bash shrugs. “I never make promises I can’t keep.”
    “I’ll keep him out of trouble,” I say, choking back a laugh at Bash’s honest response.
    Gavin shakes his head and slides his hands in his dress pants pockets, his voice dropping to private mode. “It’s a good thing you’re both heading out soon.” Fixing his gaze on Bash, he continues, “The Blake name can only stretch so far to cover your asses—”
    “We got it,” I cut him off in a cold tone, my amusement gone in defense of Bash. I’m the one who nearly started a fight, yet he’s getting the blame.
    Once Gavin walks away, I shake my head. “Gavin can be such a—”
    “Dick,” Bash supplies.
    I’ll never understand how Bash can be so unaffected. I want to pummel Gavin each time a dig comes out of his mouth. Then again, Bash’s control over his emotions is one of the things I admire most about my cousin. He’s taught me a lot in that regard. He might be Gavin and Damien’s illegitimate half-brother, but I’m closer to him than they’ll ever be. It’s a fucking shame that Mina is the only one who returns Bash’s sibling loyalty.
    Raising an eyebrow, Bash smirks. “Care to tell me what that was all about with Jake? These last few years, I’ve seen you take far more shit without losing it.”
    I know he switched the subject on purpose. Bash is a master at redirection. Instead of calling him on it, I let it go. But I’m sure as hell not talking to him about Celeste. Whatever’s going on there is too new. All I know is that I wanted to pile-drive that asshole into the ground for even thinking about touching her. “That’s none of your damn business.” Ignoring his knowing chuckle, I nod toward the bar. “Go check on Mina, then come sit with me while I drown my sanctioned good behavior in a mug of beer.”

T alia’s thrashing around wakes me. I blink quickly, my brain foggy and sluggish. It’s four a.m. I’m surprised I’m in her bed. I don’t remember much about the car ride home other than teasing her that I hope she got laid. I definitely don’t remember her getting me into the house. She must’ve brought me to her room so she could keep an eye on me. I will always miss my sister, but Talia has made the hole in my heart feel less empty.
    When she suddenly elbows my arm, I bite back the cry of pain. Her restrained wails and twitchy movements make my heart ache, but I wait until she rolls to her side, then I quickly wrap my arm around her and hold her in place, calling in her ear, “It’s a nightmare, Talia!”
    She flips onto her back, her breath heaving in and out. I gently touch her cheek. “You’re okay. I’m right here.” When I see tears trickle down her temple I brush them away. “It’s okay.”
    The first time this happened in our dorm room, it freaked me out. But I understood nightmares, so I crawled into bed with her until she calmed down. I think she appreciated that I never asked what tormented her sleep. But now…after all this time. I’m a bit worried. I wait until she settles, then say, “You haven’t had one of those in a while. Do you want to talk about it?”
    She grabs my hand and rolls back over, taking my arm with her. “No.”
    I recognize her avoidance, but I can also sympathize so I just snuggle close. “One of these days you’re going to tell me.”
    She immediately slides her fingers across the scars on my wrist. “Just like you’ll tell me, right?”
    It takes effort not to pull from her touch, but I hold steady, remaining silent. She sighs and tugs me closer. “I love you,