Better With You

XII

RYDER'S POV

I've never opened up like that.

I'm more surprised that I let him in that easily.

Usually I would've brushed him off.

But I know he's different.

I know he's a good man that'd never hurt me.

It took me a while to drift off to sleep.

Once I did, I regretted it.

I started to have a nightmare.

"You ruined Margarita's life! I hope you're happy, slut!" Griffin yelled at me.

Everyone else but Luke was calling me rude names as well.

I felt panicky.

I could feel my breathing quicken.

I looked to Luke to help calm me down.

He looked at me and rolled his eyes.

Why?

He came over to me and squeezed my wrists tightly.

"These panic attacks need to stop. You need to get over yourself and grow up. Learn to deal with it on your own." He said as he threw me to the ground.

I wasn't able to speak.

"Cat got your tongue? Grow up, Ryder. Maybe I should be with Margarita. She's more of a woman than you'll ever be." He said stomping on my side.

"Ryder."

"Ryder?"

"Ryder!"

"Wake up!"

"Wake up!" He said shaking me.

I jolted up.

My hands were shaking and I was crying.

My breathing was way past normal.

"You're having another panic attack. Squeeze my hand and count to ten with me." He said.

I squeezed tightly.

"One. Breathe in and out. Two. Nice and easy in and out. Three. Almost in and out just like this. Four. You're almost there. Five. Your breathing is normal. Six. Squeeze my hand harder. Seven. Your hands aren't shaking anymore. Eight. Look at me. Nine. You're too beautiful to cry. Ten. You're okay." He said as he let go of me.

"Now can you tell me what happened?" He asked.

"I had a nightmare that I had a panic attack and you got annoyed at me. Then you started hurting me and said you'd rather be with Margarita." I said.

"None of that is true. I love you and only you. I would never ever dream of hurting you, okay?" He asked.

I nodded as he took me into his arms.

He held me and slowly rocked me until we both fell asleep.