Breathe Out (Just Breathe, #2)(99)

“Just tell them, Emma,” Joe suggests.

“Tell us what?” Nathan sings.

“Joe took me back to the go-kart place,” I reveal, unlocking my door.

“What?” Jared and Nathan say at the same time. They’re quick on my heels as I enter the room.

“Why didn’t you tell us,” Jared questions.

“It was kind of impromptu,” Joe explains.

I explain the events that took place when I came back to my room after dinner and Jared and Nathan look at me with shock.

“She did really good. I think she did better with less people there,” Joe admits.

“It was just the two of you?” Nathan explores.

“And, Hunter and Taylor,” I add.

“I got it on video,” Joe reveals.

My hand launches at his arm. “I made him stop filming early on.”

A devious grin surfaces on Joe’s face. “I put it back in my pocket when you yelled at me, but I didn’t turn it off.”

“What?” I gasp.

“I wanna see,” Nathan commands.

“Joe,” I scold with a clenched jaw.

Jared and Nathan snicker.

“What?” I ask.

“Nothing,” Jared objects.

I hear the sound of a motor and Joe’s voice giving me instructions. Curiosity catches this kittens attention and I stare in awe with my friends as we watch and listen to the video.

“Not bad, Kitten,” Jared praises.

“Thanks,” I accept sheepishly.

“So, you just jumped behind the wheel?” Nathan asks.

“No,” I object.

“I drove first and had her tell me when to speed up,” Joe informs.

“Well, why don’t Nathan and I go get into our pajamas and we’ll come back and hang out,” Jared suggests.

“Why?”

Jared gives me a look and I know what he’s referring to. He’s concerned that I’ll have the dream.

“I’ll be fine,” I object. “Go enjoy the rest of your night.”

“We’ll enjoy it even just hanging out in here,” Nathan expresses.

“I’ll be fine, I swear,” I say.

“You don’t know that, Kitten,” Jared opposes.

“If I do, I’ll come to your room,” I offer. “Besides, I’m really tired from the adrenaline rush. I was just going to shower and then go to sleep. I’ll probably be so tired that I’ll sleep right through the night.”

Jared studies me and I can tell he’s debating on continuing the discussion or not. He cups my face and says, “I don’t like the idea of leaving you alone, Kitten.”

“I’ll be fine,” I huff. “I haven’t had the dream since . . . .” I stop to think about it.

“Since staying at my place the first time,” Joe reveals, covering for me from when I had it in Hawaii and at Maggie’s wedding.

“Exactly,” I support Joe’s statement.

“I know today has been a bit traumatic,” Jared counters.

Stepping into Jared to where our foreheads touch, I say, “Jared . . . I’m good. I promise.”

The look in his eyes shows that he accepts and understands. He kisses my forehead, leaving his warm, comforting lips pressed against me for a long while. Reaching into his pocket, Jared slips his room key into my hand. “Just in case, okay?”

“Okay,” I agree.

“Love you, Kitten.”

“Love you.”

Nathan hugs me when Jared and I separate. “Love you.”

“Love you too,” I reply.

Joe follows them out of my room, saying his farewell in his gaze.

Exhaustion kicks in as I start to undress to shower. I manage to wash my body, but that’s about it. I quickly brush my teeth and hair and flop onto the bed wearing just a tank top and boy-shorts. Sleep takes over, preventing me from being able to get under the covers.





Eighty Four


As I attempt to lift my heavy eyelids, I discover a hazy darkness surrounding me. Blinking slowly several times, my half-opened eyes won’t focus to give me any clear indication of what’s around me and where the blurry, flashing lights above are coming from. My body feels heavy. Still unable to open my eyes all the way, I perceive that I’m laying down somewhere. A cool dampness near my left cheek reveals itself as a slight gust of air brushes past my face. Sliding my right arm up the side of my body like a snake, my fingers creep to my lips. Drool — or, at least I hope so.


Two large and oddly shaped figures materialize in front of me. They are so close, only a foot or two away. Voices suddenly emanate from the now more defined silhouettes. Their speech sounds muffled and trails off into the distance even as I try to concentrate on their words. Who are they? What are they saying? Why can’t I understand them? One of the voices almost sounds feminine.

Another indistinguishable sound gradually becomes more apparent as it grows louder and the ringing in my ears subsides. It’s the engine of a car. My brain finally starts to put the fuzzy pieces of evidence together. I must have fallen asleep in the back seat. A familiar smell creeps into my nose that reassures me — my mother’s perfume.

“Mom?” my throat squeezes out in a raw, breathy, hoarse tone.