Shattered Girl (Emmy)

Chapter

77

When I woke up the next morning, the sky was just starting to Inidden, lake was called close to my side, Patrick was on his back, my head was on his shoulder, and ein legs were tangled together. As much as I loved sleeping between my guys, though I was melting, and I really wanted a shower. I was afraid any movement made would wake lake up anyway, so I reached behind me and found his leg, I gave it in pet, and after several seconds, when i got no response, I poked his leg instead, and I was rewarded with a grant Giving up 1 beam to wiggle my way mit finis between the two of them and climbed off the end of the bed. I was hopeful, since lake slept through me getting out of bed, that his anxiety about losing me was better. I quietly padded to the bathroom, closed the door, and turned on the lights. Starting the shower, I brushed my teeth while the water warmed up. I was in the middle of washing my hair when a knock sounded on the door; I called out for whichever guy was knocking to come in and ducked under the water to rinse the soap out of my hair. I wiped water out of my eyes and locked up to spot less leaning against the wall next to the shower door. "You're up early," I commented as I picked up my body wash and began washing the rest of my body.

"heah, I was going to go down and start some coffee, and I heard the shower. When I saw you weren't in bed, I wanted to check on you," Josh said.

"Thank you, Josh, I'm actually really good this morning, I just wanted a shower because I got hot sleeping between Jake and Patrick." I stepped back under the water to rinse off, then turned the water off. Opening the door, I stepped out, and Josh had a towel in his hands, just waiting for me. I stepped up to him, and he wrapped. the towel around me. Josh's gentle touch and loving gaze, made me feel comforted and safe. The warmth of the towel was cozy, even though the bathroom was still filled with steam from my shower. As I began to dry myself off, I realized how much I had begun to trust and feel safe with Josh. When I was in my father's house I rushed through my showers as quickly as possible, always afraid he would burst into the bathroom and drag me kicking and screaming into the basement Now I knew I was safe enough to be comfortable with my guys coming in and out of the bathroom while I was in the shower. Something I never thought I would be able to handle. I shared my thoughts with Josh, who smiled and placed a kiss on my lips, am so glad you are willing to put your trust in us. I love you, baby girl,

"Im so proud of you, baby girl; 1 know putting your trust in people is not easy for you, but I am so and I am so glad you chose us to love and trust."

"I love you, too, Josh. You have shown so much love, concern, and support since I got out of the hospital. I love how you take care of me and cuddle with me at night. I love how you are so focused on my safety and making sure I have what I nerd Standing up on tiptoes I kissed him quickly. Then, taking his hand. I pulled him out of the steamy bathroom. I whispered to him that I was going to get dressed and then I would be right down

"I will start the coffee, "he whispered, then, giving my hand a sq

a squeeze, he headed downstairs.

Seeing that Jake and Patrick were still asleep and wondering again why my body decided that five am was a good time to be awake, I walked into my closet, closing the door so the light wouldn't disturb my guys. A few minutes later, I was dressed, and with my hair in a messy bun, I was on my way downstairs to find Josh and the promised coffee.

Jake was sitting at the kitchen island, sipping his coffee, when I came in. Taking a mug down, I quickly made my own cup and sat next to him. We sipped quietly for a few minutes. I was enjoying the caffeine soaking into my body when Josh asked if I would like to sit outside and watch the sunrise with him,

1

"Oh course I would. I'm never up this early, I can't remember the last time I saw the sunrise that wasn't on TV or in a movie. We grinned at each other; Josh reached for my hand, stopping to grab sandals and a hoodie for me. I rolled my eyes as he handed them to me. It wasn't that cold outside. When I noticed Josh's eyebrow Twitch, I slipped into the hoodie and sandals without a complaint.

"Thank you, baby girl," Josh said before slipping his hand down my back, and quickly smacking my a** before placing his hand on my lower back and leading me

Stopping at a seating area that would give the perfect view of the sunrise, loh sat on the lounge and pulled me down between his outstretched legs. Once I was comfortable Josh wrapped his arms around me, and I leaned back against his chest.

As we sat quietly, the sky began to lighten, the birds became louder, and the trees bordering the lake turned from dark shadows to the deep green of mid-summer We continued watching the sunrise together enjoying the serenity of the quiet lake. Once the sun was up, lake stood and helped me to my feet.

T

Ar walked back to the house, ooh asked a question I had been trying to avoid thinking about." Jake and I start classes in five weeks. Have you given any thought about what you want to do or if you want to move in with us? Shattered Girl