Broken Dreams Stories

Chapter 22

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When the world came back into focus, I was so confused. There were extra voices in the bathroom, and my hand was cold. Looking down, I saw I was holding onto several ice cubes. I had no idea how they got there. I was sitting in the middle of the bathroom, Jake and Josh hovering nearby. Josh had his phone in his hand, and that’s where the extra voices came from. They had called Drew and Mike. I groaned, dropping the ice from my hand and drying it off on the towel that one of the twins had covered me with.

Josh crouched next to me, turning his phone around so I could see Drew on the screen, with Mike looking over his shoulder.

“Hey princess, how are you feeling?” Drew asked. I thought about it for several minutes.

“Honestly, I don’t know. Kind of like I spent two days locked in a cold basement with no clothes or food.” At the horrified looks on the guy’s face, I began to think I shouldn’t have shared quite so much. Mike was swearing, pacing behind Drew, and the twins looked heartbroken for me. Drew studied me carefully before he spoke.

“Princess, was that what your flashback was about?” he asked softly.

Not wanting to risk reliving those horrific days again, I just nodded. “Why was I holding onto the ice?” I was still confused, but Jake jumped in to answer.

“Drew told us holding onto ice would help bring your brain out of the flashback.” I rubbed my hand against the towel again, still feeling the tingle of ice against my skin.

the room, whispering to Drew. After several minutes, they ended the call; Josh hurried out of the room and quickly

said his name, and my voice shuddered. I held my arms out to him like a child, asking to be picked up. That was all it took. He rushed over, wrapping me in the blanket and lifting me into his

the overstuffed chair I had convinced the guys to move into my room, and Jake, pulling out some sleep shorts and a t–shirt for me, brought them over

be back in a little bit,” Jake said, walking out of the room and closing

go of me long enough to help me put my pajamas on

so sorry, baby girl; I never meant for that to happen; you have no idea how bad I feel.” He let out a shaky breath, burying his head in the crook of my neck. I could feel his body trembling, so I turned until I was holding him, making shushing noises; I ran my fingers through his hair. Promising him,

each other’s arms, until Josh finally lifted his head. His eyes were red, his voice trembled, and he whispered he was sorry again. Pulling back a little, I cupped

Josh let out a grumble of protest at being called bossy, and I just gave him my most innocent smile. I curled in closer to him, resting my head

hip. He came in carrying a tray with three mugs and several different kinds of snacks.

Jake a sweet smile and siping. “Yum, grown–up hot cocoa,” I said with a bigger smile. Jake blushed, pleased

I thought we could all use some grown–up

cocoa and ate all the

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