It turned into shower sex, then counter top sex, and breakfast table sex, before we showered again.
We were late to the meeting.
36
ETHAN
“So, the nightmares,” Joan begins. “They started again from the attack?”
I nod. “Yeah. I think it’s because they grabbed me from behind pulled me into the darkness that way. I was helpless with my arms twisted behind my back.”
“Did that happen to you? The twisted arms?”
I nod. “Only once.”
I pick at my sweatpants, Joan waits and Linc remains silent next to me. A therapy session in our bedroom. Some might see it as strange. We see it as family.
“It was the last time,” I admit. “He’s the one I stabbed.”
Joan nods. “He was the one who hurt you the first time.”
I nod. “He was the one who hurt me every time. No one else. Just him. And she didn’t stop it. She knew.”
“She was a deplorable human being,” Joan tells me. “And she’s dead. He’s gone and can’t hurt you anymore.”
“I know that.”
“You have Lincoln by your side.”
At that I smile. “I do. He’s always there. He brings me back from the dark dreams.”
She nods. “How do you feel knowing you can do that for him, Lincoln.”
“Damn good. I’ll do anything to help him out of there. I wish I could prevent those dreams from finding him from time to time,” Linc says honestly.
“It’s hard, not being able to protect him from that,” Joan says.
“It is. But I know I can help him find the light again,” Linc answers.
“Do you want to talk about the dream, Ethan?” she asks.
He shakes his head. “You both know the one. It’s always the same one.”
“How long has it been since the last one?” Joan questions.
I pause, then look at Linc. “I’m not sure. Before Linc got here. I think it was when Summer was attacked.”
“Babe,” Linc soothes, rubbing my back with a gentle touch.
“Don’t feel bad for not being here. It was the way it had to be then,” I remind him.
“Then,” he replies. “No more.”
I shake my head. “No. No more. No matter who needs what. We come first now.”
Linc kisses my neck.
“I love seeing this from you both,” Joan begins. “You’re finally putting yourselves and your relationship above everyone else. You had to wait a long time to really be together, and all because you are two very understanding men who knew Tera needed you, Linc, and Xander needed, you, Ethan.”
