Seconds Before Sunrise (The Timely Death Trilogy) by Shannon A. Thompson Read Free Book Online Page B

hands. “This is because of Zac, isn’t it?”
    “No,” I promised.
    Crystal’s eyes turned red. “I would’ve said something earlier, but I don’t exactly have many girlfriends,” she admitted, curling her fingertips through her black roots. “Linda doesn’t count.”
    I wanted to respond, but I couldn’t. My mind remained clouded, and Crystal’s confession was adding to it. I liked Robb and Crystal, but I still felt like I barely knew them. I didn’t know how to fix it.
    “Something is wrong with me,” I spoke the words without considering the aftermath.
    Crystal straightened up, and I immediately wanted to ask her to forget what I said.
    “What are you talking about, Jess?” she asked, gesturing more to my dress than anything else. “There’s nothing wrong with you.”
    I stopped her. “I’m having dreams.”
    “So what?”
    “So, I can’t sleep,” I added. “I can’t think. I can’t do anything but feel like I’m going insane, and I don’t know what to do about them because they won’t stop, and they seem so real, and—”
    Crystal laid her hands on my shoulders. “Breathe, Jess.”
    I did what she said, but I didn’t feel any better.
    A nother knock rapped against my eardrums, and Crystal walked over to answer it. I listened as she opened it, but I didn’t turn around. Robb was there, along with a manager, and Crystal apologized.
    “I think we should ta ke her home,” she whispered, but the sound was louder than anything else I’d heard in my life. In that singular moment, it was the only thing I could hear. If I hadn’t known what a panic attack was before, I knew now.
    “Jess?” Robb walked around the cou ch.
    I stood up before he could touch me. “I’m okay,” I said.
    H is expression didn’t budge. “How about I take you home?” he asked, gesturing to the exit. “You can get some rest.”
    “Rest is the las t thing I need,” I mumbled, marching forward.
    Even I had to admit that it was time for me to leave. Otherwise, I would probably ruin everyone’s night, and that was the last thing I wanted. Instead, I wanted Crystal and Zac to work out, but it didn’t seem probable. Zac stood by the exit doors with his jacket draped over his arm. Crystal was gone.
    Robb stopped in the doorway. “Where are the girls?”
    “Still at the dinner table,” Zac said, looking past Robb to stare at me. “I thought I could take Jess home with you.”
    “No,” Robb said, and Zac sud denly seemed taller. Robb adjusted his shirt. “I’ll be fifteen minutes, and they don’t need to be here alone.”
    “So , I can take Jess home,” Zac offered.
    “Not in my car,” Robb said, pushing past his friend . He opened the door, and cold air rushed in. It was late. “Let’s go, Jess.”
    “Thanks anyways, Zac,” I sai d, but he didn’t respond. I rushed outside, feeling cold, nauseous, and everything in-between.
    Robb took my arm as if I couldn’t walk on my own. I wanted to pull back, but he did before I had the chance. He unlocked his blue Suburban, and I climbed onto the passenger seat as he got in the driver’s side. The engine shook the car, and Robb blew into his hands before grabbing the steering wheel. It was colder in the car than it was outside.
    “This is going to be a harsh winter,” he said, turning the wheel as he pulled out of the parking lot. I agreed, but I was unfamiliar with Hayworth’s average winter. Since arriving in January, it had only snowed once.
    “It doesn’t normally get this cold un til October,” he continued.
    I fought the urge to argue with a local. October was only a month away.
    My stomach twisted again, for no reason in particular, and I closed my eyes to fight the feeling away. My body was reacting to nothing.
    “It’s those nightmares, isn’t it?” Robb’s brown eyes left the road and pierced me through the darkness. “You told me, remember?”
    “That was weeks ago.”
    “But you haven’t been the same since.” His grip