Healing Gabe (The Last Hangman MC #3)(18)
“I missed you.” I say in between kisses.
“I missed you too.” She smiles up at me and just as she is about to walk through the door, when someone grabs her and drags her out towards the lake. I scream her name and run after them. The man turns around and I see Jared smirk at me as he disappears into the lake with her. My pace quickens as I run as fast as I can, screaming her name all the way.
I feel someone shake me and saying my name loud. I slowly open my eyes and see the most beautiful yet frightened purple eyes.
“What’s wrong?” I stroke Viv’s cheek but she pulls away from me. “Viv, talk to me.”
“You were dreaming about Annie,” she whispers and gets up, heading to what I’m guessing is the bathroom. I sigh and get up, about to go after her when she slams the door and locks it. Way to go, subconscious.
“I’m sorry, Viv. I can’t control what happens in my nightmares,” I say through the door.
“Right.” Is the only reply I get. She’s pissed at me, I didn’t expect this morning to turn to shit this fast. I sigh and walk back to the bed. I put on my boxers and check my phone. I wish I could take back whatever I said in my dreams. I don’t ever want to hurt her. I rub my face and look up when she emerges from the bathroom.
“Are you okay?” I get up and walk to her. I wrap my arms around her and pull her to me.
“No, I’m not.” She sighs. “I’m hungover as f*ck and hearing you say Annie’s name in your sleep wasn’t something I was ready for,” she says honestly.
“I’m sorry, I can’t control them. They happen on a nightly basis and every single one ends exactly the same, Jared pulling her away from me. Go take some Aspirin with orange juice for your hangover. Come on, I’ll take care of you.” I kiss her head and walk her to the kitchen. We both look at each other as we inspect the mess we left last night. There are empty bottles everywhere and slices of lemon and salt litter the entire living room table. I can’t help but chuckle.
“Ugh. I’m never drinking this much again!” She frowns and squeezes my hand.
“I’ll stop you sooner next time.” I chuckle.
“Because you think there will be a next time? This shouldn’t be happening, Gabe. We shouldn’t have kissed, let alone let last night happen. It’s forbidden. You dated my dead twin sister. I can’t believe I’ve let last night happen.” She rubs her face, frustrated with herself.
“I know we shouldn’t have, but it happened and there’s nothing we can do to erase that. If we could, would you?” I look at her, hoping she won’t crush my heart.
She looks up at me, thinking. “I don’t think I would even if it’s f*cking wrong, but I can’t help thinking about how Annie must feel right now if she’s watching over us. We f*cking betrayed her!”
“We didn’t,” I say through clenched teeth. “Yes, we are f*cking twisted for f*cking last night and for enjoying it, but I don’t f*cking regret it and never will. I have no f*cking clue where this will lead but I’m not going to let it f*ck with my head. I want to enjoy it for the time being. I’m sick and f*cking tired of living in the past. I don’t want us to live in the past anymore. Yes, what happened is beyond horrible, but I’ve let it lead my life for long enough, and so have you.” I sigh looking at her, she’s too beautiful for my own good. She nods, agreeing with me, pulling her bottom lip between her teeth. What I’d do to that mouth right now.
“I just can’t help feeling like this is wrong.” She motions between the two of us.
“It might be, but it felt f*cking right.” I plant a hard kiss on her lips and head to the kitchen.
She follows me and leans on the counter. “Is Jared haunting your dreams still?” She bites her lip and I nod. “It’s all my fault. If I had done what he wanted me to do that night none of this would have ever happened.” She sniffs and wipes away a tear quickly.
“Hey, no tears.” I lift her chin forcing her to look at me. “Yes, something horribly f*cked up happened, but I’ve never had any regrets about helping you that night. It’s left physical and emotional scars but we have to be strong. We can’t let him win and get away with it. We need to stick together. Having you back in my life gives me hope. Don’t take it away from me.”
“I know, I just miss her so much.” She sighs and wraps her arms around me. I pull her closer and kiss her head.
“Don’t worry. I’m always here for you, Doll. I miss her too. We can’t bring her back but she lives with us forever.” I kiss her softly, hoping she won’t push me away. She hesitates at first, but kisses me back.
“Are you sure you wanna do this?” She looks at me completely confused.
“To be honest, I don’t know what this is. I don’t do relationships that’s all I know. I just want to be able to hang out and be with you without any drama. We both need each other.”
“Oh really? So, you’re so sure that I need you, huh?” She raises her eyebrow at me and crosses her arms over her chest.
“Yes. Even though you know Ayden and Anthony, you knew I’d be here too.”
“True. I wanted to see you and see someone familiar. You’re the only family I have left, the only one who knows how truly f*cked up my life is. Even though most of the guys I knew in the club are still around, you’re the closest thing to a family I have.”