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I wrapped my arms around Tobias and held him as he held me, two friends giving and receiving love and support with no stipulations, no motives other than comfort.
Finally, he sighed and ended our embrace. “Thanks, Zelda. I needed that.”
“I know.” I brushed a light kiss across his cheek. “Goodnight, Papa Bear.”
“Goodnight, girl.”
Upstairs, I found Drew asleep on his stomach on the sofa, arm hanging off the side. I perched on the edge, but he didn’t move, so I spread the orange sofa blanket over him. He’d been the least shit-faced of the three. I turned off all the lights and went upstairs to discover Aithan in the darkened master bedroom, sitting on the edge of the bed, chin to chest and snoring lightly. A beam of streetlight shone across him and he looked ridiculous and adorable.
I shook my head and swallowed a laugh. He couldnotspend the night that way.
“Aithan,” I murmured and touched his shoulder. No response. “Aithan?” I shook him harder.
His eyes flew open. Rage filled them. He grabbed my throat and came off the bed, fist cocked, body tense.
I screamed.
Aithan’s fist came at my face, even as his eyes focused. He pulled the punch, stumbling forward. We fell, him atop me. The air whooshed from my lungs as we landed hard.
“Zel!” Drew shouted and pounded up the stairs. He burst through the doorway, followed seconds later by Tobias.
Aithan knelt over me, cradling my face. “I’m sorry, beautiful, I’m so sorry. Did I hurt you?”
Hands against his chest, I closed my eyes and shook my head.
Fuck.
I couldn’t breathe, but I could at the same time. It was the worst, feeling and I pinged between panic and logic. I wasn’t dying, but it sure the fuck felt like I would.
“What the fuck?” Drew said as he reached me.
“What happened?” Tobias asked.
Aithan didn’t seem to hear them. “Can you breathe?”
I shook my head.
“Did I break your ribs?” There was fear in his voice, and I shook my head again. With that, he realized my problem. “I knocked the wind outta you.” I nodded. He sat me up and said, “Breathe in through your mouth and suck in your stomach when you exhale.” He rested his hand on my belly. “It’ll get better as your diaphragm relaxes.”
Nodding, I closed my eyes and did as he said. It helped. My brain stopped freaking out, but the adrenaline kicked in and I started shaking as he pulled me to my feet.
“What the hell happened?” Drew demanded.
Aithan ignored him again, his hands moving restlessly over my arms and shoulders. “You’re sure you’re okay?”
Finally, able to breathe normally, I answered Drew, my voice hoarse. “I startled him.” I sat on the bed. Aithan knelt on the floor beside me. “He passed out sitting on the edge of the bed. I came into the dark bedroom and grabbed his shoulder to wake him.”
Drew went really quiet, really still.
Tobias slowly shook his head. “Fuck, man, I was afraid something like this would happen.”
Drew sat heavily on the chair beside the window and ran his hand over his face. “This is my fault.”
“What?” Aithan sounded stunned and annoyed. “How in the world did you reach that asinine conclusion?”
“Because I know booze makes PTSD a helluva lot worse, but I didn’t warn you.”
“Seriously?” Tobias stared at him. “Well, then I’m to blame, too. I brought the beer.”
