Chapter 6
Skylar
I takea deep breath and close my eyes, willing myself to calm down.
I'm not there, not at that night where I almost lost so much of myself. I'm right here, with this amazing guy that I don't even know, but who somehow brought me down from a massive panic attack.
“What the fuck is going on?” Alex's angry voice snaps right through my haze and I turn my attention to my brother.
“Just pretend no one is around. It's just us,” this mystery guy says. We gaze into each other’s eyes again and I feel myself getting lost in his light blue depths. I know he is just trying to help me. Hell, I probably looked like a freak, spazzing out just because some guy touched me. But the past has a strong hold on me.
I don't know this guy’s name, but whoever he was, he brought me down from my attack.
“Dude, get the fuck away from her,” Holden says. I see his angry face over the stranger’s shoulder. They are the same height, which is impressive and intimidating since Holden is six foot three.
Everything and everyone around us freezes, and even through all this I can't take my gaze off of this strange guy who refuses to look away from me. I don't want to start a fight because it is clear Alex and Holden are upset over not knowing what actually happened. They hadn’t seen my meltdown, or the drunk who had started all of this. They are upset because of how the two of us look right now: my body pressed tightly against his, his hands on my shoulders, and me probably looking freaked the fuck out still. But I am a lot calmer than I’d been.
I step back and his hands fall away from me. Holden and Alex are by me, their big bodies slightly blocking me from this guy who has just saved me. I move to the side so I can still keep him in my sight, and feel my body heat further when I see him still watching me.
The connection I feel in this moment, the intensity, calmness, and the entire fact I don’t have that crushing despair in me, makes me feel euphoric, in a sense.
“Don’t fucking touch her, Adrian.” Holden's voice is a low growl and I can't help but glance at him in confusion. Who is this guy? Holden has always been so easy going, and never have I heard him raise his voice.
“He helped me when a drunk had his hands all over me. I freaked out.” I take a deep breath and flick my gaze to the mystery guy. “Thank you for helping me.”
Alex shifts on his feet and clears his throat. “Some drunk had his hands on you? Who was he?” His voice is rising and I know this can only get worse.
I just need out of here.
“Can I please just go back to the dorm?”
“Aw, shit, Sky, I'm in no shape to drive anywhere. You can crash in my room if you want. I’ll take you back tomorrow.” Now that Alex doesn't sound so angry I can hear the slight slur in his voice.
I'm shaking my head before he even finishes. “No, I just want to go back.” I want out of this house. I want to lie in the silence of my tiny room and sleep this night away.
“I can take her.” Holden speaks up and takes a step toward me. “I’m sober and good to go. Come on, Skylar.” He grabs my hand and starts leading me toward the door.
“Wait.” I pull my hand out of his grasp and walk up to Adrian. “Thank you so much for all you did. You’ll never know what it means to me.” And he won’t. I smile, hoping he can see past my meltdown. “I'm Skylar, by the way.” I hold out my hand, and when he doesn't grab it right away I feel my cheeks heat with embarrassment. But before I feel dejected Adrian grabs it and covers it with his big, warm hand.
I feel so tiny next to him as I crane my neck back and look into his face. Everything from his olive skin tone, short coal black hair, and amazing eyes has my heart racing. I have never had this intense type of reaction to a guy, especially not since that night four years ago. But looking at Adrian I feel … alive and safe.
His smile is warm, easing. “Are you sure you're okay?” The concern is laced in his voice and written all over his face.
“Yes, I am now, thanks to you.” I mean it too. I take my hand back and am instantly greeted with a sense of loss. The sensation is strange and I don't know how I feel about it. I shouldn't be having this type of reaction to a guy I just met, but I also don't want to dismiss these sensations, not when I haven't felt something like this before.
“I’ll call you tomorrow.”
Alex stops me and wraps me in a tight embrace. “Are you sure you don't want to stay? There is a lock on the door and I’ll be right down the hall.” His words are too low for anyone other than me to hear. I know he means well, but I just need to be by myself. Sure, Claire will probably be there, but I can deal with one person, not a house full of drunken people.
“No, I just want to go back to the dorm.”
He pulls away from me and looks into my eyes. “Text me when you get home, okay? I'm taking you to lunch tomorrow and we are going to talk about all of this. Something is up, and I want you to be honest with me.” He kisses me on the forehead and I close my eyes. I hand Frank to him and lean down to kiss his chunky face.
“Okay.” I follow Holden out of the house, but before I step outside I look over my shoulder and lock gazes with Adrian. He’s watching me with an intense expression and I wonder what he's thinking about right now.
Once Holden and I are out the door he takes my hand again and leads me briskly to his car. He opens the door for me but doesn't say anything. He still doesn't say anything after he slips into the driver’s seat, cranks the engine, and accelerates down the road. The cramped, stacked houses flash by us in a blur as I stare out the window. I should say something, apologize, open up a conversation … something.
“I'm really sorry you have to take me home. I know it wasn't on your top things to do tonight. I just couldn't stay there anymore.” I chance a glance at him, see his jaw clenched tight, and feel the awkwardness increase.