waking

Chapter 31 

Every time Naomi thought about the kiss she planted on Shawn’s abs, her cheeks burned up like a firecracker. A little voice in her head kept asking if she’d gone too far. 

Shawn, on the other hand, was always a tough nut to crack. Cool as a cucumber most times, but with a short fuse when ticked off. Nobody could figure him out. That moment when Naomi’s lips brushed against his abs, he felt a fierce urge to make her his. He let out a heavy sigh, a wave of restlessness washing over him. Naomi was getting to him more than he’d like to admit 

“Naomi, why don’t you go check on Freddy?” Shawn cut through her thoughts unexpectedly. I heard Rosalind’s around this hospital somewhere 

100. 100. 

Naomi stopped in her tracks, surprised. After a second, she said, “Sure, let’s see them” 

She always played her cards on the table because she depended on Chandler’s help. Working solo wasn’t really an option for her. If Chandler was her comer, it was as if Shawn gave the nod himself. 

To hang tight with Shawn, Naomi knew she had to be transparent–a totally open book. He didn’t pry, and she didn’t spill her guts. But if he asked, she’d be straight with him, no secrets–well, as long as it was safe. Diving into her past life! That was off–limits; people would think she was off her 

rocker. 

Pushing Shawn down the hall to Freddy and Rosalind’s wing. Naomi first swung by Freddy’s room. 

Freddy, packing up to head home, did a double–take at Shawn. That first awkward elevator ride and the chills down his spine from just being near Shawn hadn’t faded one bit 

“Naomi, aren’t you supposed to be home by now? Freddy finally broke the ice. Thought you got auctioned off to some sugar daddy! And now here you are with this ugly man, rolling around in an old rich codgeg’s fancy ride. Gotta say, your choices are kind of wack 

operator like you for 

Naomi just chuckled. “Freddy, you’re hailed as some kind of whiz kid, but you’re missing the big picture. Id ditch a smooth op an old–timer or a guy in a wheelchair, what does that tell you?” 

Shawn kept quiet, drumming his fingers on his wheelchair. Old ugly man? Soon enough, the Sanders family would get the picture. 

“Oh, and about Rosalind” Naomi said, “caught her snuggling up with her new boyfriend. Didn’t wanna crash their party. But I did snag some pictures” Of course, she hadn’t actually snapped them herself, Zoey had handed over the shots that were now splashed across the gossip rags. Because of the high interest, they even paid top dollar for the scoop with a side of wanting more juicy stories. 

Aside from the first batch of photos that she reached out to the rags with, Zoey and her buddy Dillon Patterson–the guy currently playing nursemaid to Rosalind–handled all the dirt–dishing follow–ups. 

Naomi unblocked Freddy, sent him a handful of juicy pics of Rosalind and her new guy Dillon, and then put him on block again before he even had a chance to react. 

“Keep your eyes peeled. These snaps are gonna make a splash soon,” Naomi said with a smug grin. “Turns out, you can’t hold a candle to an older fella, or to Dillon, the pretty boy. Rosalind’s bailed on you now too. You might wanna do some self–reflection, Freddy” She twisted the knife a bit more, “Oh, and just some friendly advice: keep a lid on that mouth of yours. Talking trash can get you in deep water–you wouldn’t want to be six feet under before figuring out why” 

From the corner of her eye, Naomi saw a hint of a smirk on Shawn’s face. Clearly, she was picking up his vibe–she knew just how he wanted to deal with Freddy. 

“Naomi, you’re a talker, Shawn murmured, his voice smooth as velvet. “We gotta move! 

“Got it,” Naomi said. She wheeled him out the door and made a beeline for Rosalind’s room. 

Lately, Rosalind was on cloud nine. Dillon’s charm worked like magic on her mood, and the doctors had good news about her health. She’d need fewer blood transfusions down the road, which was icing on the cake for her. The only bummer was that Naomi was sull holding on to that comic book Rosalind wanted back. 

When Naomi walked in, Rosalind tensed up. She flashed back to a nasty fall on Frostpeak Mountain and all the pain that followed. Anger clouded her thoughts as Rosalind lunged at Naomi, ready to hit her. 

But Naomi was quicker. She caught Rosalind’s wrist in a flash and pinned her against the wall 

“Hey, I just wanted a sisterly hug after being apart for so long. What’s with the hostility! Rosalind’s eyes brimmed with tears, and she started crying. making it look like she was going for a hug, not a hit. 

*1 missed you so much, Naomi, Rosalind sobbed, playing up the drama. “Mom and Dad have been worried sick. You don’t know how often I’ve cried over you. Can’t you just let this go and come home?” 

Naomi just watched Rosalind’s act, silent. 

0 

Chapter 31 

“Mom, Dad, you’re here,” Rosalind blurted, turning her plea to the doorway. “Don’t be mad at Naomi, she didn’t mean to shove me. The parents Javier and Victoria, swept in, and they looked like they were ready to tear into Naomi, just like the old days. 

But that changed in a blink. Javier suddenly staggered backward as if he’d been shoved and Victoria shrieked, one hand pulling her away. Shawn hadn’t budged from his wheelchair, but somehow he’d moved lighting fast. 

He had only to speak, and his voice cut through the tension, “Back off. She’s with me. Apologize to Naomi, now. 

Javier gasped, choking on his own blood, while Victoria wailed, clutching her bleeding scalp. 

The room turned ice–cold. Some kind of heavy pressure fell over the Edwards family, leaving them fighting for breath. Dillon was nowhere to be found, he’d taken the backdoor exit when the drama started. After all, he worked for Naomi. He couldn’t ger on Rosalind’s bad side–that would wreck all his hard work–but he didn’t dare go against Naomi either, so he ducked out quickly and quietly 

While all this was happening. Naomi stood there, unscathed, as the rest of the Edwards family shook like leaves. 

Shawn sat in his wheelchair, sure, but he had this way of making his mark, his scarred face and commanding vibe pressing down on everyone. Javier broke into a cold sweat and couldn’t handle Shawn’s intense stare. He wobbled and finally hit his knees 

2/9