A Protector's Second Chance (Unit Matched #2) by Mary Smith, Rebecca Cartee

afar.
    “Help,” I tried to yell for him.
    “Amaya, wake up.” His voice was closer.
    My father’s hands began to fade, and my mother disappeared.
    “Amaya.” Oliver’s voice was filled with concern and panic.
    I popped my eyes open, and he was staring down at me. I felt around my neck, making sure no one was really choking me.
    “It’s okay,” he said. “You’re okay.”
    I was trying to catch my breath and I instinctively grabbed his hand.
    “Calm me,” I pleaded. Immediately my heart returned to normal as did my breathing. “Thank you.”
    “You’re welcome. Do you want me to get you something to drink?”
    I shook my head and squeezed his hand tighter.
    “Okay. I’m right here.” He cupped my face in his hands, wiping the tears with the pads of his thumbs.
    It was the first real intimate touch we’d ever shared. Oliver had tried many times, but I had always pushed him away.
    Not now.
    Now, I welcomed it. I felt safer feeling his skin against mine. I’d never felt this before.
    I don’t know how long we stayed in that position, but we didn’t move for a while. His thumbs kept caressing my cheeks, and it calmed me more. I knew he wasn’t using his powers. It was him, just being there.
    “Do you want to talk about it?”
    I shook my head. “No.”
    “Okay. Why don’t you wash your face? I’ll go grab you some water.”
    I nodded and watched Oliver walk out of the bedroom. I got up and washed my face, brushed my teeth, and looked myself over.
    My green eyes looked dull next to the puffiness of my traumatic crying. My lips were swollen and my nose was red. I was a hot mess of emotions.
    “Amaya?” Oliver knocked on the bathroom door.
    “One second.” I dried my face and went to him.
    He handed me a glass of water. We sat on the bed together in silence. There was comfort in just having him close to me.
    “Hey, how about we head downstairs and work out together?” Oliver gave me a hopeful smile.
    “That sounds great.” Even though I was tired, I needed to get my mind off my nightmare.
    Oliver took my hand and we headed down to the gym. I knew I was still in my pajamas, but I didn’t care. I needed to work off the anxiety still pumping through me. I felt like it had me wrapped in a cocoon.
    I started on the treadmill and kept running. Oliver was on the one next to me and stayed with me stride-for-stride. I didn’t stop until I almost collapsed.
    Oliver caught me in his strong arms, picking me up fireman style. He carried me to a small bench in the corner.
    “Do you want me to calm you?”
    I hadn’t realized I was crying until he said anything.
    “Just hold me,” I said, without thinking.
    Oliver tightened his arms around me. I laid my head on his shoulder, and he tilted his head to rest on mine.
    And I felt safe.
    Oliver didn’t loosen his grip until he heard my stomach grumbling.
    He chuckled. “You think maybe we should feed you?”
    “In a second,” I whispered.
    “Okay. Do you want to talk?”
    “About what?” I played dumb.
    “Anything you want.”
    My nightmare was still in the front of my mind. Should I tell Oliver?
    “How well do you know my parents?” I was nervous as I asked him.
    “I think pretty well. Mom is your Mom’s Controller. We’ve been to a lot of Unit functions. So, yeah, I know them. Plus, they’re the trainees of the Protectors.”
    I looked up at him. “Do you think they’re nice?”
    Oliver blinked at me. ”Why?”
    “I think your family is nice. Well, more than nice.”
    He continued to stare at me, but we remained quiet for a moment.
    “Amaya, I wished you trusted me to just say what you’re thinking.”
    “You want to know?”
    “Very much so.”
    I smiled. “I’m hungry.”
    He smirked. “I can help with that.” Oliver’s face turned serious. “Please remember that I’m here, and that you can trust me.”
    I knew that he meant it. I knew in my heart I could, but my brain wouldn’t let me say the words that had been hidden