Free Awaken Me (The Jaded Series Book 4) by Alex Grayson

same for him. I won’t stand around and watch him wither away into nothing. He may not care for me, but God knows I care for him.
    When he spoke so carelessly about his life, it took every bit of strength in me to hold my legs up. The pain was so debilitating that all I wanted to do was sink to my knees in despair. I swear all the air in the room was sucked out because my chest hurt to breathe. I have no idea how I kept my feelings from showing, but somehow I did. I don’t know why I want to hide them from him, but I do. Maybe I just don’t want to give him more ammunition to use against me.
    I finish cleaning the dinner dishes, turn off the lights, and walk to the bathroom. I plunder the cabinets until I find a toothbrush still in the package. I break it open, scrub my teeth, wash my face, and run my fingers through my hair. I’m going to have to ask Jaxon to bring me some clothes tomorrow. I don’t feel comfortable leaving Nick here alone, and I don’t want to ask Jaxon to stay with him. I just have this feeling that I need to be here.
    I suck in my cheeks to look like a fish and open my eyes as far as they will go. When Nick caught me making faces at myself, I was embarrassed, so I avoided his question. What started out as something funny as a kid became an almost OCD quirk as an adult. I can’t see my reflection without making a face at myself. Life is always so serious. We all need to stop for a minute, make faces at ourselves, and laugh.
    I quietly close the bathroom door behind me. When I glance over at Nick’s door, it’s closed, just as I figured it would be. If I’m honest with myself, I’m kind of glad. I’m not sure how much more of his black mood I can deal with tonight.
    I walk silently down the hallway to the living room. I stop at the coffee table to check the time on my phone. A little past nine. Although I slept several hours earlier, I’m still tired. I’m always exhausted after my encounters with Nick. Probably due to the emotional toll all his negative comments put on my body.
    I undo my pants and slip them over my hips. I love my skinny jeans, but they’re a bitch to get out of. I end up sitting on the couch so I can peel them down my legs and force them over my heels. No way am I sleeping in them again.
    Once my jeans are off, I reach behind me and unclasp my bra, slide the straps down my arms, and then pull it out from underneath my shirt. Wearing a bra to bed is another thing I hate doing. I’m an underwire kind of girl, so my boobs either fall out of my bra when I’m on my side or get poked from the wire. Either way, not fun.
    I tuck my bra into my jeans and move them to the chair. There’s a throw pillow on the same chair, so I grab it and the blanket off the back of the couch and snuggle down. I blow out a tired sigh once I’m comfortable.
    I wonder how long it will take before Nick decides he doesn’t want me here anymore and tries to kick me out. I’m actually surprised he hasn’t yet. I blame it on him not being quite himself. He was so drunk this morning that he didn’t even realize Jaxon and I were moving him. I’m shocked he was moving as well as he was a bit ago. Yes, he still looked groggy and hungover, but he didn’t really act like it.
    I roll over with my back facing the back of the couch and hug part of the blanket to my chest. My eyes drift closed and a few minutes later I’m out.

    I wake to a loud banging coming from the kitchen. When I pull my eyes open and sit up, I don’t see Nick, but I hear his curses. I also smell fresh-brewed coffee and my mouth waters. Light filters in from the sliding glass door, and I wonder what time it is.
    Before I get a chance to check my phone, another loud crash comes. I bolt up off the couch and make my way to the doorway. I come to a halt when I see Nick, his back to me. He’s barefoot and is still wearing the sweats from last night. The shirt is gone, leaving his toned torso bare. I almost drool before I stop myself.