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trigger warning: domestic violence/violent dream
Erica tossed and turned in her sleep. Her breathing was rugged and uneven. Flashes of her last fight with her ex-boyfriend burned into her brain.
In her dream, she was running but couldn't move. Donovan had his calloused hands around her neck squeezing tight. She gasped for air and clawed at him. Every time she tried her world would go black.
Erica shot up out of the bed breathing heavily. Tears ran down her face. Her heart was racing a mile a minute. Tossing the covers off of her body she sat up. She put her head between her legs breathing in and out. Once her heart rate came down she inhaled.
"It's just a dream," Erica whispered to herself hugging her body and rocking back and forth.
Looking at the clock it was only 1 am. She'd only been to sleep for about an hour before her nightmare came along. She usually slept near Josh but he was down the hall.
As if she summoned him a small knock shifted her attention. Joshua opened the heavy door. A crack of light from the hallway reached the room. In silence, he closed the door quietly trying not to wake anyone.
"You know Tina would have a fit if she knew you were in here," Erica whispered as Joshua lay next to her in the bed.
"She knows about us so it doesn't matter." He kissed her shoulder as he spooned her from behind.
His warmth coated her cold skin. The goosebumps from her nightmare began to fade. Josh rubbed her arms to help ease her mind. Erica turned her head so he could hear her better.
"I guess she can just tell huh?" She said.
Joshua nodded, "Yeah but that's not why I'm here."
"Why are you here then?"
Josh tried to hold in his laugh, "I know you can't sleep without me."
Erica traced his hand that was on her stomach, "That was the first nightmare in weeks."
"Same dream?" He questioned.
"Yeah but that's why I love you. You just know, it's like we're connected." Erica's breath hitched realizing her blunt confession.
Joshua didn't say anything back. Erica waited in silence to see if he'd respond. Why the fuck didn't he say anything? Josh looked at the back of her head in confusion. He was stunted by her confession of love. The only thing he could do is place a kiss on her shoulder..again.
Erica woke up the next morning to an empty bed. She sighed rubbing her tired eyes. She looked at her phone. The time read 11 am. A knock at the door made her roll her eyes. Erica called out to whoever was behind the door.
"Yo, who is it?"
Erica opened the door with a small smile. Zoey smiled even though she was missing a few teeth. A plate with her favorite breakfast foods made her stomach growl.
"Auntie, I brought breakfast!" Zoey kicked the door with her foot.
"Aww thank you. You didn't have to do that."
Zoey shrugged, "I saw Joshua leave your room this morning. I was supposed to be asleep but I figured breakfast would help you."
Taking the plate she went back to bed. Erica patted the space next to her. Zoey slid into the bed even though she had clothes on.
"Don't tell your momma I let you get in the bed with outside clothes on or that you saw Josh," Erica said chewing on a piece of bacon.
Zoey nodded her head, "I won't."
After a fresh shower and some new clothes, Erica headed down to the family area. Zoey and Tina were coloring a book. Erica looked outside through the big windows next to the foyer. The house was quiet.
"Where's everybody?" Erica questioned.
Tina looked up from the scattered crayons, "They went out to go get a Christmas tree. You know that's the tradition every year."
"And they took Josh with him!?"
Meanwhile, Gelo, Zo, Lavar, Melo, and Joshua watched as the tree employees cut down a tall Christmas tree. It was the biggest in the lot and Lavar wanted to go big every year. Josh stood awkwardly not wanting to make small talk.
"No, I said don't cut nothing else! What are you doing?" Lavar shouted as they cut more of the stump than they shouldn't have.
Walking towards the men Melo took his chance to corner Joshua.
"So what's going on between you and E?" Melo asked leaning against the gate.
Josh blew smoke from his mouth. Of course, this nigga would ask me that now. Joshua didn't make eye contact.
"Is now really the best time?" Lonzo questioned.
"You just asked him this. Erica is a grown-ass woman." Gelo pitched in rubbing his hair.
Melo mugged them, "Listen, Erica and I are close. We're the same age and when she came into the family I became her protector. Especially because y'all weren't there for her then nor now."
Joshua could feel the tension rising, "Listen, I really do like Erica."
"And? You must have more to say than that." Zo tapped Josh's shoulder.
Josh could feel his irritation sink into his veins, "You caught me off, guard. We're just going with the flow."
If Melo could turn red he would, "Yo, that's our cousin you talkin' about. I love Erica like she's my sister. It's either you're all in or you not. Don't string her along."
"You're right. I won't hurt her any more than she already has."
A few hours later Zoey and Erica entered the estate with shopping bags. Early Christmas shopping was here and Erica wanted to blow off some steam. The Ball family was in the backyard starting their daily bonfire.
"Where's Josh?" Erica wanted to talk to him about last night.
"Oh, he left. He didn't tell you?" Tina asked preparing the smores tray.
