“Too late!” Jaxson teased her. “We have less than an hour left of cooking, and then a little bit of clean up, and then we’ll be eating.”
I laughed and a sharp pain assailed me. I felt nauseous, and my head began to spin wildly, pounding with a ferocity I had never felt before. I grabbed the prep table, preventing myself from keeling over and causing myself any further damage…
I was sitting on a white couch, and the room I was in was white. It looked sterile and clean too clean. I looked over to my left and saw a wall of doors leading out to the ocean. In the distance, I could hear the seagulls crying and the crash of waves on the beach. It smelled like sunshine and salt water.
To my right, I could see a kitchen full of stainless steel and white. Again, it was super impersonal and sterilized looking. I looked in front of me and noticed the television was on. My large, bronze-colored feet were braced on a coffee table in front of me. A half glass of amber liquid was sitting on top of it.
I looked down and noticed I didn’t have a shirt on. I traced the tattoo on my chest, knowing I had outlined the red mark that once lied there. I looked down my sculpted arms, muscular chest, and six-pack abs. I was wearing a pair of white linen pants. The fabric was light and comfortable on my skin.
“So, are you coming with me or not?” said the beautiful blonde, posed in a doorway.
I leaned back and looked at her. Behind her, I could see the bedroom I was in last time I was here. She was tall, lithe, and big-breasted.. Her red lips looked large and bee-stung. She was wearing a red halter top dress that contrasted with her fair, creamy skin. A Santa Claus hat was on her head, and she wore red heels.
“Hello?” she said in an annoyingly high-pitched voice.
I tried to find my voice but was unable to. Who am I? Who are you? Where am I?
I was only able to shrug.
I could see the annoyance cross her face before she gave me a generous seductive smile. She walked towards me, like she was walking on a catwalk instead of a living room floor. As she moved closer, I could see a mirror behind her. I jumped up to see what I looked like. I needed another clue.
She saw me advance toward her and effectively blocked my line of sight. A triumphant smile spread across her face. “You know,” she cooed coyishly, “Mark and Jen would love to see you, and I really need a date. I really wish you would reconsider tonight. I don’t want to go to this Christmas party by myself.” She gave me a seductive pout.
I grabbed her shoulders, hoping to move her out of my way. I needed to see what I looked like! I nearly got a glimpse when…
I blinked, disorientated. “What?” I gasped as I looked around.
I was lying on my bed, and all my guys were in the room, with the addition of Will and Megan.
“What happened?” Jace asked, concern lacing his voice as he pushed my hair off my face.
“I jumped again,” I said a bit dazed.
Slowly, my memories came filtering back. I groaned, slamming my hands on the bed. I had been so close to seeing what Otto looked like. That stupid, blonde bimbo had prevented me from looking in the mirror.
Not wanting to give any details, I sat up, bracing my head. It no longer hurt, and I didn’t feel like I was going to vomit anymore. It was Christmas Eve, and I wanted to make the most of it for the children. Micah, Ella, and Alex never had a real one. They deserved a real one without me falling apart.
“Are you okay?” Will asked with a frown.
I stretched my neck from side to side. “I’m fine.” I then turned and looked at Troy. “What engagement party are we going to be working?”
Troy pulled out his cell phone and scrolled through it. “Mark Holmes and Jennifer Chamberlain,” he stated after a moment.
“He’s going to be there,” I said triumphantly as I swung my legs over the side of the bed.
“What are you doing?” Noah asked in alarm.
“Isn’t it time to eat?” I asked as I looked down at my watch. I had been out for about an hour. My brows knitted. I was only in his head for about five minutes. How was that possible?
“Are you up to it?” Drake said hesitantly. “I can make you a plate, and you can eat it in here.”
“Not on Christmas Eve,” I insisted as I stood up. “I’m fine. Honestly.”
“You didn’t see yourself before you passed out,” Jaxson wiped a weary hand over his face.
I really hated the baggage I carried around. It seemed like I was always needing to be rescued and worrying the guys. I sighed. I hated putting them through all this.
“I’m alright now,” I said in a quiet voice. “Honestly,” I insisted.