**Val's P.O.V**
Jax unlocked the door, and we stepped inside. He headed straight for the fridge, pulling out not a can of beer. Actually, let me reword that…..he takes out five cans of beer. I raised an eyebrow, crossing my arms.
"Jax, you've had enough to drink tonight," I said, trying to sound firm. "You're going to regret it in the morning."
"Relax, babe," he said, cracking open a can with that infuriating smirk of his. "This is nothing. I'm Jaxon Steele. I don't get drunk."
"Suit yourself," I muttered, shaking my head as I made my way to the living room.
---
### **Half an Hour Later**
I was scrolling through Netflix, trying to find something to watch that wasn't *Tyler Perry Sisters*, when I heard Jax call my name from the kitchen.
"Val!" His voice was louder than necessary, and I could already tell he was past the point of no return.
I sighed, setting the remote down and walking into the kitchen. "What is it?" I asked, bracing myself for whatever nonsense was about to come out of his mouth.
"You have really pretty eyes," he said, his words slightly slurred. For a moment, I felt my cheeks heat up—until I noticed the five empty beer cans scattered across the counter.
"Jax," I said, my tone firm. "It's time for bed."
"But it's still early," he protested, his goofy smile making it hard to stay mad at him.
"It's past midnight," I said, crossing my arms. "You're done."
"No," he said stubbornly, before promptly passing out on the kitchen floor.
Great. Just great. I couldn't just leave him there—he'd basically saved me earlier, and I owed him. But carrying him upstairs? That was going to be a workout.
---
### **The Struggle**
Ten seconds into trying to lift him, I was already regretting my decision. "Oh my God, how are you this heavy?!" I gasped, struggling to drag him up the stairs. His muscles, which usually looked so good, were now my worst enemy.
By the time I reached the top of the stairs, I was sweating and out of breath. I grabbed his ankles and dragged him the rest of the way to his room, apologizing silently for the rough treatment. Finally, I managed to hoist him onto the bed, collapsing beside him as I tried to catch my breath.
I turned to look at him, my mind drifting back to the almost-kiss at the party. A small smile crept onto my face as I remembered the way he'd looked at me. But before I could get up, his hand shot out, grabbing my wrist and pulling me back down.
In one swift motion, he flipped us over, pinning me beneath him. His eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe. But then the memories came rushing back—memories I didn't want to think about.
Before I could spiral, his lips were on mine, soft and insistent. My mind went blank, and I kissed him back without thinking. When he finally pulled away, his lips lingered just above mine.
"You still owe me a kiss," he murmured, his voice low and teasing.
---
### **Morning After**
I woke up the next morning, disoriented and confused. It took me a second to realize I wasn't in my own bed. The events of last night came rushing back, and my eyes widened as I took in the room around me. This was Jax's room. And Jax himself was lying next to me, shirtless and still asleep.
I bolted upright, scrambling off the bed and stumbling onto the floor. I was wearing his sweatshirt, and he was in nothing but his boxers. My face burned as I realized what this must look like. I needed to get out of here. Now.
---
### **Back Home**
I slipped into my house as quietly as possible, only to find Reynolds asleep on the couch, still in his clothes from last night. I tiptoed past him, hoping to make it upstairs unnoticed.
"I'm awake!" he said suddenly, sitting up and rubbing his eyes.
"Okay," I said, trying to sound casual as I headed for the stairs.
"Are those Jax's clothes?" he asked, his eyes narrowing.
"Maybe," I said quickly. "Why are you asking?"
"No reason," he said, leaning back on the couch. "You guys didn't do anything…?"
"Ew, no," I said, cutting him off. "Okay, bye!" I sprinted up the stairs before he could ask any more questions.
---
### **Alone in My Room**
I collapsed onto my bed, my mind racing. Did last night really happen? Did Jax actually kiss me? And did I kiss him back? My stomach fluttered at the memory, and I couldn't help but smile.
But the smile didn't last long. The memories of what happened before the kiss came flooding back—the way that guy at the party had grabbed me, the way his hands had felt on my skin. I felt sick.
I barely made it to the bathroom before I threw up, my body shaking as I leaned over the toilet. It had been a year, but I still couldn't forget. I couldn't escape it.
---
### **Breakfast with Reynolds and Bridget**
Later that morning, I sat at the kitchen table, picking at my breakfast. Reynolds was unusually quiet, but I could tell he was waiting for the right moment to bring something up.
"Jax told me something yesterday," he said finally, his tone casual but his eyes sharp.
"Oh?" I asked, not looking up from my plate.
"He said you had a panic attack at the party," Reynolds said, his voice softening. "Is that true?"
**Bridget**, our housekeeper and basically a second mom to us, turned from the stove, her hands on her hips. "Is this true, mija?" she asked, her tone a mix of concern and scolding.
"Yeah," I said, shrugging like it was no big deal. "It wasn't a big deal."
"Valentina, didn't I tell you?" Bridget said, her voice rising. "You must always tell me when something like this happens!"
"It slipped my mind," I muttered, avoiding her gaze.
"Slipped your mind, my ass," Bridget said, shaking her head. "Next time this happens, you come straight to me. I'll give that boy a good beating."
I laughed despite myself, covering it up with a cough. Bridget's protective streak was both endearing and slightly terrifying.
"This is funny to you?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Of course not, Bridget," I said quickly, trying to keep a straight face.
---
### **Flashback: Ronan**
His hands were all over my body, touching me wherever he could, but I couldn't move or make a sound. I was paralyzed. I had to watch as he unzipped his pants while I tried as hard as possible to move or at least scream—but I couldn't. I was stuck, and there was nothing I could do about it.
---
### **Nightmares**
Later in the evening as l went to sleep, an hour after, I gasped for air as I jolted out of bed, terrified. I quickly turned on the lamp on my nightstand and looked around my room. I'm alone. Alone and safe. There's no one here but me.
I clutched my blanket in my fist and tried to even out my breathing, placing my hand on my chest as I did so.
*You're safe. Reynolds is in the next room. If anything happens, he'll be right here. Nothing and no one can hurt me. I'm safe.*
I repeated the words to myself, trying to calm my racing heart. But every time I closed my eyes, I saw him. I saw the guy from the party. I saw Ronan. I saw every man who'd ever harassed or assaulted me.
It's hard.
---