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A warm breath tickled her neck, and Marissa jerked her head. Jack was inches away from her face with a gleaming smile. Her eyes widened, and she was left with no time to react. Jack pulled her into his chest with what could only be described as a bear hug. She froze with her arms pinned at her sides. The quick movement caught her off guard. Her brain couldn’t seem to catch up with her body, all menacing and foreign vibes coursing through her blood. She gasped and her breath shallowed. How long had it been, and why was she so incredibly overwhelmed? Human contact was normal. It happened every day to everyone. Except me. It had been two years since anyone had touched her. It felt strange and gripping and strangling…and…she could feel her body numbing. Her head pounded like a heartbeat blasting in her brain. She released short puffs of breaths and squeezed her eyes shut.
It was an odd sensation. A mere hug was sending her back in time. Standing solid, numbed from the inside out, and arms bound around. Finally, the whisper, “Marissa, I’m so sorry.” She wrenched her eyes open, mustering her strength, though she felt utterly drained.
“No,” she whispered.
This never happened. Only when I want it to happen. She’d never been brought back to a memory unless she wanted it. And certainly not that day, not here and not now.
She felt a strong grasp on her shoulders, pulling her away from Jack’s arms.
“Pop, let her go.” Caden’s voice was panicked and urgent but sounded so far away. Her eyes were open, but she couldn’t see. Just white. Why can’t I see?
“Fuck, let go of her,” Kase demanded.
Her body jerked, and a cold icy rush ran through her cheeks, on her neck, over her ears. It was so cold. The pounding was so loud, a constant thumping. Everything felt so heavy, as if she was being weighed down. It was all so hazy, she squinted and saw nothing but white shadows.
A sharp breeze smacked across her face, and a blast of air shot through her lungs. The white seemed to fade as she gasped again and again.
“Marissa.” A masculine whisper drew her attention. Caden. Her eyes flickered. Colors, thank God. She slowly reached up to her ears. Hands on her ears? What? She shook her head, and her body shivered.
“Calm down, babe. Just breathe.” His voice was soft and comforting. She was drawn to him and leaned closer. His breath fanned over her face. “Steady breaths, sweetheart.”
“Way to go, Pop.” Kase snorted. “Probably got a fucking assault charge heading your way.”
Marissa pulled the air through her nose and out her mouth. She scanned straight ahead. Kase and Jack stared down at her, and she lowered her gaze to Cade, who was inches away from her face. His arms were extended. It was his hands on her, covering her ears. He lowered his hands, trailing down to her chin.
His gaze scanned her face. “You all right?”
Her mouth was so dry. She nodded, swirling her tongue over her teeth and up to the roof of her mouth. Her tongue poked out, gliding across her lips. He was watching her intently, especially her tongue. “Uh-huh.” It was too soon to form full sentences.
She covered her face with her hands, the heat prickling through her skin, and wiped the beads of sweat forming on her forehead. She leaned forward, trying to get up, but swayed as her knees buckled. Strong hands gripped her waist to steady her rise. Her face brushed against his jacket, scraping against her nose, and she inhaled. Oil? Did he smell like oil? She scrunched her nose. This was all too weird. Did I just have my first panic attack? From a hug? Although Caden’s touch was strangely soothing, she wiggled away from his hold. The last thing any of them needed was a repeat performance.
“God, Coll, I didn’t mean to scare you.”
She glanced up as Jack stepped forward. His advance was halted by both his sons, who reached out a hand against his chest. His sympathetic gaze shifted to a glare set on Caden and Kase.
“Christ sake, old man, back up.” Kase shook his head as he pushed on Jack’s chest. “You wanna see the inside of a jail? Again. Fuck, you checking shit off your fucking bucket list now?”
Jack swatted at their hands, stepping back a foot. “Get your hands off of me, you ungrateful bastards. I’m not too old to beat the piss outta both of you.”
Kase rolled his eyes, shaking his head. “Here we fucking go again.”
“Kase, shut up. You are only making this harder.” Cade moved past her to stand in between Marissa and his dad. She had the distinct feeling he was intentionally blocking her from Jack’s view. “Pop, you gotta calm down. She’s good, you’re good, just relax.”
Jack shouted, “I am relaxed.”
The smell of smoke caught Marissa senses, and she leaned past Cade’s shoulders. Kase was shoving his lighter in his front pocket. The small patch on his chest read President. She assumed he was part of a motorcycle gang from the markings on the back of his jacket. Ghosttown Riders. The cigarette glowed orange, and a cloud of smoke flurried around his face. He took another drag and darted his eyes directly at her.
“Want one?”
She jerked her head.
“Then stop fucking staring at me.”
“Boy, you better watch your mouth. Show some fucking manners, you little shithead.” Marissa caught the irony in the name-calling. There was nothing little about Kase. But watching him snap his lips closed had her amused.
“Sorry, Coll, these boys.” He shook his head, shooting a glare at Kase and then gazing back at her. His face softened. “Just as pretty as I remember.”
She obviously reminded him of someone from his past. Whoever Colleen was, Jack obviously had affection for her, and it seemed to settle him. She smiled back at him.
