I needed him.
My grounding cord. My calming essence. My rock in the tumultuous storm that was my life. Myreasonto keep going.
My reason to keep… to keep living.
“Got it, Thorne. I got it,” he whispered.
Without delay, his hands covered my ears, minimizing the shout that ripped from his throat. A scream filled with desperation for the one man I needed this second to stop myself from hurtling further.
Clumsy, heavy footfalls slapped against the tiled floors, answering the call. “Baby… Oh… Oh my God, I’m here.”
Hisvoice.Him.
I reached back desperately, hunting for his touch, his skin, his… anything. I just needed to feel… needed toknowhe was there…
And like all the times before, he answered that plea. He grabbed my hand, cradling it to his chest as he fell to his knees in front of me. With his finger, he traced each one of mine, following the contours of my hand.
“I’m here… I’m here,” he repeated, those cerulean eyes catching the honeyed hues of mine. “You breathe, and I’ll trace.”
Still clinging to Matt with the other hand, I dipped my chin, focusing on the one task we’d come to master during either of our episodes. Inhaling for four, I kept my gaze locked with Oren, squeezing Matt’s shirt as I held for four. Slowly loosening my grasp, my lids fluttered as I exhaled for the same amount of time, the edges of my existence slowly stabilizing.
“You’re doing amazing, my love. Keep breathing.” He lifted my palm from his chest to his freckled cheek, holding it with a tenderness I still struggled with accepting.
A shudder rocked my frame as I settled into Matt’s arms completely, my gaze fixed on Oren. Swimming in his cerulean irises, the tension in my body dissipated. “O-Oren…”
“You’re okay. You’re safe,” he repeated, his timbre adding to the devotion I knew was woven into his words.
My lids fluttered, his statement guiding me into a state of tranquility. It was a place I’d never been able to reach before, not until Oren Valens walked into my life. And without him? Withoutus?It’d be a peace I’d never know again.
That was a life I never wished to live.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
OREN
After Liam and Simon made their grand exit, no doubt to go fuck each other after the way they’d stolen glances all evening, I was left alone with Matthew.
Thorne had retreated upstairs shortly after his episode, and I couldn’t blame him. I had caused him more misery, but foronce, I’d made the right call. My choice had ended with a rekindled friendship, one I knew he couldn’t have survived without. Matt was his best friend, and that part of him had suffered since that night in the hospital.
While their friendship was saved, I was going to fucking beat him for ruining his hand once more. It didn’t look shattered, but enough force had been applied to leave it busted.Andit caused me to clean up his life force from the tile flooring.
“God, Prince, will you fucking move it?” I said as I lightly shoved him out of the way, his playful demeanor one I wasnotin the mood for as I scrubbed the remainder of Thorne’s lineage from the floor.
His tongue hung lazily from his mouth, his insistent bark begging for the attention I refused to give him. He was as obnoxious as me, and well, maybe Thorne did have a point. I was definitely bothersome at times.
Tossing the bloodied rag into the bucket, I sighed, unable to stop myself from petting the damn corgi. His smile widened, procuring one of my own before I twisted my head to see Matt staring at me.
Rubbing my hand across my neck, I bit my lip. “How are your… injuries doing?” He had more than one, Thorne unleashing his pent up fury in localized areas. Despite being a professor, that side of him would never leave.
“Safe to say I’ll survive,” he joked, giving me a saddened smile. “I’m sorry for the commotion my presence caused, but thank you. For inviting me. For giving me the chance to make things right with Thorne. You’re a good man for him, Oren.”
“You’re a good man for him, too, Matt. You’re his best friend, and I’m glad you took the opportunity to fix things. He needs you, just as much as he needs me. Just… don’t get any ideas of taking him,” I teased back, hoping to lighten the intensity in his gaze.
His chuckle was soft as he dipped his chin. “I don’t think you have to worry about me, Valens. But him?” Gesturing with his head, he motioned toward the stairs. “He needs you right now.”
I nodded, knowing it too. “Is there anything else I can get you before you head out? There’s plenty of food left, well except for the sliders. Fucking Liam devoured the whole pan.”
With a growing smile, he tucked his hands in his pockets. “No. I believe you’ve given me plenty. I have my best friend back, and ultimately, that’s all that matters. The food was great too, though.” He winked, a genuine laugh escaping him as I tossed a vulgar gesture in his direction.
