Page 125 of Sing For Me

“You know that’s bullshit, right?”

He looks up at me, a flash of anger in his blue eyes. “What do you want me to say, Eva?”

Something. Anything. Just so long as it’s honest.

“Your little brother called me today,” I blurt out and I can see his entire body stiffen.

“Silas called you?”

“He’s worried about you, Will.”

“How in the fuck did he get your number?” he snarls.

“Apparently he got it from Rose’s phone when she wasn’t looking. But that’s not really the point.”

He tosses the pillow to the bed. “You know, my entire life I’ve had my family up my ass about every single thing I do. I really don’t need that shit from you, too.”

I reel back, stung by the bite in his voice. He’s never sounded so angry, not with me.

“I’m not trying to meddle, Will. I’m trying to be there for you.”

“Well I don’t need it,” he snaps. “So just stop.” He finally meets my eyes and I can see regret in his expression when he registers the hurt I’m sure is on my face. “Look.” He releases a shaky breath. “I’m just stressed about work. In fact, I’m going to go knock out some paperwork. It will probably make me feel better if I get it off my plate.”

My head spins with the change of subject. “You’re not coming to bed?”

He’s already half way to the door. “I’ll be in soon. You should get some rest—PT tomorrow, right?”

“Will—”

“Goodnight, honey.” He doesn’t come over to kiss me. Doesn’t even meet my eye. Just stalks from my room, leaving me standing next to an empty bed.

* * *

I wake up with a gasp,heart pounding, fear clutching me, making it hard to breathe. It’s a long, terrifying moment before I realize where I am.

You’re in your room,I tell myself, sucking in sharp breaths of air.It’s just dark. You’re not back there. You’re safe.

I dreamt of the fire. It’s been so long since I’ve had one of these nightmares, I almost forgot howrealthey feel. How I can smell the smoke, feel the hands on me and—

I sit up in bed, needing to get out of this dark room. I look over to see Will on his side, breathing even. Still asleep. Something about that feels off to me, but I can’t put my finger on it.

I climb out of bed and grab my phone to use as a light as I make my way out to the kitchen. I pour myself a glass of water then grab a throw from the couch as I head outside, needing the sharp bite of nighttime air to fully bring me back to myself.

It’s not until I’m cuddled up in one of the deck lounge chairs that I realize what feels so off. Will slept through my nightmare. Which must mean that I didn’t cry out.

I glance down at my phone. It’s nearly four, making it way too early to call anyone, even Marissa. But Luke is in New York this week, meeting with potential producers for the new show he’s writing. And if I know Luke, there’s a good chance he’s awake right now, hunched over his keyboard, completely lost to the world.

I text him first.You up?

The phone rings in my hand. “Why are you up?” he asks in lieu of a hello. “Isn’t it the middle of the night?”

I let out a breath, comforted by the sound of his familiar voice. “Bad dream.”

“I thought that might be it when I saw your text.”

“What about you? It’s not even seven there.”

“Writing,” he says, just like I expected. Luke has a hard time shutting his brain down when he’s working on something new.