Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 36820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 184(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 123(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 184(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 123(@300wpm)
“Owen,” I say again, voice low. “Wake up.”
His body inches closer, crowding me with his warmth. I sense he’s still asleep, still trying to get outside. I’m unsure what to do for him right now. Do I wake up his family? Wake up Mom?
I lift a hand and gently cup his cheek. “Owen, you need to go back to bed.”
He blinks a few times, and a dazed expression contorts his features. Then, his eyes drop to my lips. Forbidden heat curls in my lower belly.
Enough, Mei.
This is your mom’s husband for crying out loud.
“Come on,” I whisper, sliding my hand off his face so I can take hold of his hand. “Time for bed.”
He sort of stumbles as I push him back some. I grip his hand tight and tug him toward the stairs. Going back up is a slower process than coming down. My heart leaps into my chest multiple times when he trips over a step or two.
This is terrifying.
He’s so out of it and could hurt himself.
I guide him past the bedrooms toward his. Since I haven’t been in his room, only saw a bit of it on my tour earlier, I bump into a dresser in my effort to get him to his bed. Despite the throbbing in my hip now, I finally manage to get him over to it.
“Get in bed,” I murmur. “That’s it. Good job.”
He shuffles as he slides under the covers. As if he’s Penny, I pull them up to his chin and tuck him in. Before I can leave, his hand grabs my forearm sending a jolt of electricity through my nerves.
“Mei.”
The raspy, almost reverent way he says my name has me pausing. “Yes?”
“I’m…sorry.”
I cover his hand with my other one and give him a reassuring squeeze. “Go to sleep. You’re okay now.”
After I pry his hand off me, I wait for a beat. Seconds later, soft, rhythmic breathing fills the silent night air.
Relief floods through me knowing he’s back in bed rather than outside. I creep across his room, managing to sidestep the dresser corner this time, and close the door behind me. Maybe having it closed will deter him from another sleepwalking episode that takes him outside.
The exhaustion from my trip, the shocking news of my mom’s marriage and our move, and then this with Owen finally catches up to me. I crash hard the second my head hits the pillow. This time, I don’t lock the door. At least he’s safer in here than out there.
Mornings are lively and chaotic in the Monahan home. The frenzy of people rushing about, getting ready, snagging quick breakfasts, and locating their things to leave is oddly refreshing. Usually, Mom is headed out the door before I even wake up. Sometimes I manage to give Penny a kiss goodbye before they leave, but not always.
This morning, she and Penny are already gone, but the Monahans are dragging. Since Rhett and I don’t start back at college for a few days, we nurse our coffee at the dining room table, looking at our phones as we try to wake up.
Cason can’t find his gloves and Addison complains about the dribble of coffee she got on her school uniform. Owen handles it all with ease, tossing gloves at his son and a Tide pen at his daughter. When he catches me staring, he gives me a wink that has my blood burning hot.
“I’m going to get these two off to school,” Owen says to me, “but if you need anything, let me know. Rhett can get you our phone numbers to plug into your phone. Your mom already gave us yours.”
The heat is chased off by a sickness in my belly. It’s so strange to come into this whole situation as late as I did. I feel left out and way behind.
“Thanks,” I murmur, squeezing my hands around my hot mug.
Owen’s smile falls as he studies me intently. Something akin to guilt shines in his eyes. Does he remember last night? My cheeks feel hotter than my coffee right now. I’m unable to hold his gaze.
“Cason’s been begging for us to go to Smoke & Sugar,” Owen says, voice tight. “I made him hold off until you got back from St. Louis. We’ll all go together this evening if you don’t have any plans.”
Have any plans?
My life revolves around school and caring for my baby sister when Mom doesn’t.
“Yeah, sure,” I mumble. “Sounds good.”
They continue their chaos, but I can’t be in here anymore. I bring my mug with me, heading back up the stairs. I’ve just sat down on my bed when Owen enters the bedroom. He rubs at his neck, shame rippling from him.
“Mei,” he rasps out. “I am so sorry about last night.”
I jerk my head up and frown at him. “Why?”