Read Online Awake by Natasha Preston - Free Book Online Page B

What I needed was professional help, so I’d made an appointment.
    “Alright, that’s fine. I’ll save you some if you are not back. Whatever happens remember to have Scarlett home by nine, even if you are later.”
    He nodded. “Always.” We wouldn’t be back that late, though. Noah was so strict when it came to getting me home on time. He was determined to respect my parents’ rules and not lose their trust. It was sweet and a lot easier than Imogen and her ex where her parents hated him.
    Noah took my hand as we walked to the bus stop, rubbing his thumb over my knuckles. “Are you feeling better?” he asked.
    “Yeah, all that hurts is my ribs if I twist suddenly or lift something too heavy. The rest of me is fine.”
    “That’s good. And don’t lift anything heavy.”
    “You sound like my dad. I won’t.”
    Noah looked at the timetable and frowned. “I thought you said the bus was at three forty-five?”
    “It is.”
    “Not one that goes into town.”
    “Yeah, we’re not actually getting that one.”
    His eyebrow arched. “Which one are we getting?”
    “Can you just get on it and not ask until we’re there? Trust me.”
    He bent forwards and kissed me. “Alright.”
    The fact that Noah trusted so completely and wholeheartedly was one of the things I loved most about him.
    “Thank you.”
    He wrapped me in his arms as we waited. I felt so safe when I was with him. The rest of my life and the people in it were messy and I didn’t know what or who to trust. But when it came to him, I was sure.
    The bus turned up five minutes later and we got on, sitting near the back. Noah picked my legs up and put them over his, rubbing circles on my knee the way he did with my knuckles.
    “You know for someone who’s never had a girlfriend before you’re pretty pro at it.”
    He smiled. “You make it easy.”
    I think my heart actually melted into a puddle. For the rest of the ride, we sat in perfect, comfortable silence.
    “So, why are we here?” he asked as we got off the bus on the opposite side to the high streets and shops.
    “I have an appointment.”
    “I’m not a mind reader, babe, I’m going to need more than that.” He slung his arm over my shoulder as we walked along the outskirts of town.
    It was mid-May and it’d just started to warm up. Fresh green leaves blossomed on the trees and colourful flowers popped out of the ground. I loved spring. But then I found at least five things I loved about every season. Noah still held me as close to him as he did through the end of winter.
    “Well, my plan to write down what I see when I’m asleep isn’t working.”
    He gave me a sympathetic smile. “I didn’t think so, you’ve not mentioned it at all.”
    “It was frustrating. But I think I’ve found someone, she’s a therapist, Dr Pain.”
    “Come on!” He laughed.
    “Would be funnier if she were a doctor and not a therapist.”
    She was more of a hypnotist, but I thought telling Noah that would make him think I was totally crazy. I wasn’t crazy. I was desperate.
    “Ah, your therapist. Do I drive you insane?”
    “Yes, but that’s not why I’m going to see her. I’m trying to get my memory back, as I might’ve mentioned once or twice before, so I can figure out if those weird dreams are real or not.”
    “I know, I’m only joking. Do you think she’s going to tell you if they’re real or not?”
    “I don’t know. That’s what I’m hoping she can help with.” At this point I knew the fire and Evelyn were real, I dreamt of them the most. The rest I wasn’t sure about.
    “Well, it seems like a good idea. I think you should do whatever it takes to remember, if that is what you want, but why the secrecy?”
    I stopped walking, forcing Noah to as well. The warm breeze blew his short light brown hair. His eyes looked even bluer in direct sunlight. I was lucky to have him. We’d not been together all that long but I trusted him, relied on him, and he never let me down. I