After

Chapter 94.

"Tess.." I feel Hardin's breath on my cheek.

"Go away." I groan and roll over to bury my head in the couch.

"Tess...please. I can't sleep." He whines.

I don't look at him, I can't keep letting him treat me this way. I know I should have left earlier but in all honesty, where would I go?

He sighs and I feel his presence leave. I grab my phone and check the time, it is a little after midnight so I try to force myself to go back to sleep.

"No!!" I hear Hardin scream from the other room. I jump off the couch without thinking and rush to our bedroom. He is thrashing in the thick blanket and covered in sweat.

"Hardin, wake up." I say gently and shake his shoulder, moving a soaked curl from his forehead with my other hand.

His eyes snap open and they are full of terror.

"It's okay.. shh.. it was just a nightmare." I do my best to soothe him. My fingers play in his hair and then brush over his cheek.

He is shaking as I climb into bed behind him and wrap my arms around his waist. I feel him relax as I press my face against his clammy skin.

"Please. Stay with me." He begs. I sigh and stay quiet, tightening my grip around him.

"Thank you." He whispers and within minutes he is asleep again.

The water doesn't seem to get hot enough to relax my tense muscles no matter how high I turn it up. I am exhausted the lack of sleep I got last night and the frustration that comes from dealing with Hardin. He was asleep when I got into the shower and I pray he stays that way until I leave for my internship.

Unfortunately my prayers go unanswered and he is standing by the kitchen counter when I get out of the bathroom.

"You look beautiful today." He says calmly.

I roll my eyes and walk past him to grab a cup of coffee before I have to leave.

"So you aren't speaking to me then?" He questions.

"Not right now, no. I have to go to work and I don't have the energy to do this with you right now." I snap.

"But you.. you came to bed with me." He pouts.

"Yea, only because you were screaming and shaking. That doesn't mean you are forgiven. I need an explanation for everything, all secrets, all the fights, even the nightmares or I'm done." I surprise him and myself by saying.

"Tessa.. it's not that simple." He groans and runs his hands over his hair.

"Yea, it is actually. I trusted you enough to give up my relationship with my mother and move in with you so soon, you should trust me enough to tell me what is going on."

"You won't understand. I know you won't." He says.

"Try me."

"I.. I can't." He stutters.

"Then I can't be with you. I'm sorry but I have given you a lot of chances and you keep.." I begin.

"Don't say that. Don't you dare try and leave me." His tone is angry but his eyes are hurt.

"Then give me some answers. What is it that you think I wouldn't understand? About your nightmares?" I ask.

"Tell me you aren't going to leave me." He pleas.

Standing my ground with Hardin is proving to be much harder than I imagined, especially when he looks so broken.

"I have to go. I am already running late." I tell him and go to the room to get dressed as quickly as I can. Part of me is happy that he didn't follow me into the room but part of me wishes he did.