The Bet (Book 1 in The Deception Series)

Chapter 18: guilt and suffering

Garrett

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"Matilda"- Harry Styles

I jolted awake after a horrific nightmare about my father. The same dream I had every time I went to sleep drunk. I sit up in bed, gasping for air, sweat dripping down my back. I place my hand against my chest, feeling my heart pounding against my skin. The room was dark, the moonlight was shining through the window. My head was pounding and I needed a fat glass of water.

I hear a small moan from next to me making me jump. I look over and see Taylor fast asleep, wearing my shirt and boxers.

My heart slows down as I see her next to me, there was something comforting about her being here.

She reaches her hand over and places it on my arm, her eyes still closed, "Go to sleep. It was just a dream." She whispers.

I sigh before I lay back down on the mattress. I rest my hands on my bare stomach and stare up at the ceiling. I close my eyes, hoping to fall back asleep but failing. I lay there and just stared at the ceiling because everytime I close my eyes, all I could do was picture his face.

"Are you okay?" I hear her soft voice.

I look over and see her lying on her side, looking at me with a concerned look on her face. I wanted to lie and tell her I was fine but I couldn't.

"No." I whisper.

She sighs as she scoots closer to me, wrapping her arm around my body. She rests her head on my chest and I feel warmth fill my entire body. I wrap my arm around, letting my fingers run through her soft hair.

"Did you remember the nightmare this time?" She asks.

Yes. I always do.

"No, not this time." I reply.

She moves and rests her chin on my chest, looking up at me with those eyes of hers.

"It's okay. You're gonna be fine." She says with a smile.

I look at her sweet face and feel guilt creep through me. How was I supposed to break her heart? She was here, comforting me, not judging me for my issues. She was sitting here, making sure I was okay. And I was just gonna ruin her.

"You need to hate me, Taylor." I whisper.

"What?" She asks.

"I'll break your heart." I confess, hoping she'd listen to me and leave before it was too late.

"No you won't. I trust you." She smiles.

My heart breaks when I hear her say that, I wanted to tell her she was making a huge mistake. She needed to leave me, I was the last person she could trust.

I lean down and place a soft kiss on her head before she rests her cheek on my chest again. I thought I wouldn't be able to fall asleep after that nightmare but I did because she was here, holding me. Making me believe that I was safe.

By the time I woke up again, the sun was out and I could hear the voices of my roommates from downstairs. I groan as I open my eyes to see Taylor laying next to me. My arm was wrapped around her waist, holding her against my body. I smile as I lift myself up on my elbow to look at her. I lean over her and brush her hair out of her face. She moans before opening her eyes, "It's so bright."

I smile, "Morning, pretty girl."

She looks at me and smiles, "Hi."

Oh Jesus, save me. I wanted to wake up like this every morning with her right next to me the entire night.