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I’m smiling like an idiot when she finally opens her eyes and realizes she slept through half the morning.

“Oh, don’t start thinking you cured me or anything,” she says with a roll of her eyes. “Just because I slept for a few hours, it doesn’t mean the nightmares have vanished. We’ll see if you deserve the pat on the back when I go to bed tonight. Besides, they don’t happen every night, and you know that.”

“You are really good at this denial thing, aren’t you?” I chuckle. “You have no idea what’s going on until you can’t ignore it any longer.”

“Yeah. I love not sleeping at night and just want to prove you wrong.” Emma’s sarcasm is out to play in full force this morning.

“That’s not what I meant.” My turn to roll my eyes. I walk into the kitchen. “Are you hungry? I have… cereal.”

“Thanks, but I should get to Casey’s.” Emma stands and stretches, adjusting the kinks out of her neck. “Your couch isn’t very comfortable to sleep on.”

“It’s not meant to be slept on. I offered you the bed.” I actually think it’s really comfortable, but I don’t know if I’ve ever slept on it an entire night.

“Thanks for texting Casey for me last night.”

“I didn’t want her to worry,” I reply, pouring cereal into a bowl. “She thought it was you. I don’t think you’ll have to tell her where you were.”

She doesn’t react. Good… I think. I’ve never intruded on someone’s privacy as I have with Emma. I’m not doing it intentionally. Mostly. I hope she doesn’t think that. God, I need to shut it down.

Emma groans. “I have to stop by Rachel’s to get my shirt for the game tomorrow.”

I pause with the spoon raised to my mouth. Definitely don’t like the sound of that. If I could keep her out of that house forever, I would.

“Don’t worry,” she says when she spots my reaction. “She should’ve left for work by now. Speaking of which, aren’t you going to be late?”

“I’m working from home today,” I tell her. “You have a game tomorrow?”

“Yeah.”

“Would it be okay if I watched it? I’ve never seen you play, and I kinda want to see what the scholarship’s all about.”

“Umm, sure,” she says slowly, like she’s considering it. “I’ll text you where we’re playing. I can’t remember where it is right now.”

“Great. Thanks.”

Before she can leave, I call to her. “Emma.”

She turns to face me.

“I like this,” I admit, hoping it doesn’t sound as awkward as it feels to say it. “Us. Being able to talk. I’ve never been able to do it before. Not even with… Sadie. I’ve needed it… you. And now you’re here, and well… thank you.” Smooth, Reeves. You sound like a sixth grader asking a girl to sit next to you at lunch. But I mean every word.

Emma doesn’t call me out on it. She connects with me for a long moment; her golden-brown eyes search mine as her cheeks redden. “I like this too.”

I smile at her response. “I’ll see you tomorrow then.”

“Yeah, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

There’s nothing to be afraid of. You’re safe. You’re home.”

I focus on the stars flickering above my bed and my mother’s blue eyes peering down at me. Her cool, dry hand smooths the sweaty strands from my face.

“You’re safe,” she repeats.

I crawl into her lap and cry. She smooths the back of my head and shushes me.

“I know, my sweet girl. I’m so sorry. You don’t have to be afraid anymore. It’s over. You’re here, safe at home.”

My chest hurts from gasping between sobs.