### **Jaxon's P.O.V**
I couldn't care less about the movie playing on the screen. My attention is completely stolen by the sleeping angel on my lap. Valentina. I'm
Her hair is soft, like silk slipping through my fingers. I twirl a strand around my finger, watching it spring back into place. My gaze drifts lower. Her long, toned legs stretch across the couch, and I have to force myself to look away before my thoughts go down a dangerous path.
Damn. I need to control myself.
When the movie finally ends, I glance around the room. Everyone else is asleep, bodies sprawled in awkward positions. I sigh, knowing there's no way I'm leaving Val down here.
Carefully, I scoop her into my arms, lifting her with ease. She stirs slightly, letting out a soft whimper, but doesn't wake up. I press her against my chest, feeling the warmth of her small frame.
Upstairs, I nudge her bedroom door open with my foot and step inside. The moonlight spills through the window, casting a gentle glow over her room. I lower her onto the bed, but the moment I let go, her brows furrow, and a small frown forms on her lips.
I sigh, shaking my head with a small smile. She's clingy even in her sleep.
Peeling off my shirt, I drop it on the chair and run a hand through my hair. As I turn to leave, a strangled cry stops me in my tracks.
"Jaxie!" Her voice is laced with terror.
I whirl around. Val's thrashing violently against the sheets, her face contorted in panic.
"Jaxie! Help me! H-he's hurting me! Let go of me! Somebody help!"
My heart slams against my ribs. What the hell is she dreaming about? And why is she calling for me?
And my childhood name, infact!
I rush to her side, but the moment I reach for her, she flinches away. My stomach twists.
"Reynolds!" I call out, my voice sharp.
Within seconds, he comes barreling into the room.
"Valentina!" His eyes widen in alarm.
"Stay away from me!" she screams, curling into a ball, her knees meeting with her head and her body shaking violently.
Reynolds hesitates, frustration evident in his features.
I take a deep breath and move closer, slower this time. Her body tenses, but she doesn't pull away when I wrap my arms around her. I tighten my hold, whispering soft reassurances.
"Shh, Val.
It's me.
It's Jaxie. You're safe. I've got you."
At the sound of her childhood nickname, she stills slightly.
She used to call me that all the time when we were kids. I adored the way it sounded from her lips. But then she stopped. I had pulled away from her, afraid of my growing feelings.
She buries her face in my chest, her hands clutching my bare skin. I stay like that, rocking her gently, whispering soothing words until her breathing evens out.
Reynolds watches in shock.
"How the hell did you do that?" he asks mesmerized at my incredible little miracle.
I shrug. "I don't know."
His gaze softens as he looks at his sleeping sister. "She hasn't had nightmares in months. This was the worst one yet."
He leans down, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead before leaving the room.
I don't move. Even in sleep, Val clings to me. So I stay, holding her until my own eyes close.
---
### **Valentina's P.O.V**
The laughter stings more than it should.
"Look at her ugly hair clips! It looks like someone threw up on them!" Mike sneers.
Everyone erupts into laughter. I swallow the lump in my throat, my fingers tightening around the straps of my backpack. I don't cry, not here. Not in front of them.
Spinning on my heel, I bolt, ignoring their jeers.
I run straight to the swing set, my safe place. Tears spill down my cheeks as I sit, kicking at the dirt beneath me.
Minutes pass. Maybe an hour.
"Val!"
I look up to see Jax sprinting toward me, his face lined with worry.
"I've been looking everywhere for you! Don't scare me like that again!"
His eyes drop to the ground, spotting my discarded hair clips. He kneels beside me, picking them up.
"Val, what happened?"
I sniffle. "Nothing."
"Liar."
His arms wrap around me, pulling me against his chest. I don't fight it. I cry freely, soaking his shirt.
"Who made you cry?" His voice is calm, but there's an edge beneath it.
"M-Mike," I whisper.
His body tenses.
He gently clips the hair accessories back in place.
"I think they're beautiful," he says softly. "I think you're beautiful."
A small smile tugs at my lips. I throw my arms around him.
"I love you, Jaxie."
His hand rubs soothing circles on my back. "I love you too, Valentina."
---
I jolt awake, my heart pounding.
It was a dream. A memory from years ago.
I sigh, stretching—but something heavy pins me down.
I blink.
There's an arm draped over my waist.
A very *muscular*, *male* arm.
My eyes follow the length of the arm, up to the broad shoulders, a sculpted chest, and finally—Jax.
Sleeping beside me.
I freeze. My brain short-circuits. Then—
"AHHHHHH!"
My scream shatters the silence.
Jax jolts awake, flailing before tumbling off the bed with a loud *thud*.
You scared me?
He said in a drowsy tone.
Oh sorry, I mutter innocently as I burst into laughter.
He groans, rubbing his head before glaring at me. That's when I notice it.
The marker doodles on his forehead.
I snort. "Nice boobs."
His glare darkens.
"Why are you in my bed?" I demand, biting back another laugh.
"You don't remember?" He smirks.
I shake my head.
"Well," he stretches lazily, "you begged me to stay. Said you couldn't sleep without me." His smirk deepens.
"Liar." I pout.
He chuckles. "Fine. You had a nightmare, and I calmed you down. Then I guess I fell asleep too."
"Oh." My cheeks heat up.
I quickly scramble out of bed. "I'm taking a shower!"
As I grab my towel, he leans against the doorframe, smirking.
"Want company?"
I roll my eyes, walking up to him.
"It would be fun, wouldn't it?" I purr. His smirk falters.
Then I flick my hair in his face.
"But you have a girlfriend, dickhead."
I strut into the bathroom, leaving him stunned.
---