Unfinished (Chapter-21)

ARDEN'S POV 

Abby and Charlie tried to tell me that Cassy is apparently a ghost? A spirit? That she is trapped in the house she killed herself in and unable to move on. It sounds ridiculous. Outrageous. But yet, could it be true? 

I mean, that would explain me thinking I keep seeing her. First time was when I dropped Abby off after our first day spent together. I was about to kiss her for the first time and there was a loud bang on the other side of the door. I thought I saw the retreating back of Cassy, but Abby told me it was a stray cat. 

The second time I thought I saw her sitting on the counter when we were painting, but when I did a double take, she was gone. Then again, on the steps last night when Abby tumbled down the stairs. Cassy was standing on the top of them, glaring down. She was pissed. It has been years since I've seen her, but I can still tell when she is seething, and last night was one of those moments. 

Abby shifts beside me, drawing me out of my thoughts. I stare down at her, memorizing the way her eyelids flicker when she is dreaming, the freckles that are spaced perfectly on her cheeks, and the extremely alluring way her lips pucker subconsciously. 

I never thought I would feel this way about another girl after Cassy, but Abby is proving me wrong. Could this be love? Could I love Abby with only knowing her for such a short amount of time? It took me about a year to convince myself that I loved Cassy. Yet, here I am, a couple of weeks into knowing this woman, and I am ready to tie myself up by the balls for her. 

I'm still kind of pissed that she didn't tell me about Cassy sooner, but I guess I could understand why she didn't. What I'm really feeling is jealousy? Maybe because Charlie knew this information before me, but I think the main thing I'm jealous of, is him thinking he could just stay with my girl. 

I mean, shit. If I would have known about Cassy beforehand, I would have already offered to stay myself. Or even offered for Abby to come stay with me, hell either would work. All I know for damn sure is if Charlie is staying there, so am I. 

I shift slightly, looking at the drink I had on the counter. I slowly and gently move Abby off of me and stand to get a drink, I pick up my phone that was also on the counter and see an unread message from Charlie. 

CHARLIE: Hey man, I hope you guys worked everything out. I know they are keeping Abby for a few days but meet me tomorrow for lunch so we can discuss everything some more. 

I type a quick, "okay" before gulping down half my water. Abby's whimpers draw my attention. I turn worried something happened to her, only to see her shaking her head back and forth on the bed, she has sweat covering her forehead and it sounds like she is moaning out in pain. She's definitely having a nightmare. 

Swiftly moving to her side, I stroke her arms comfortingly. "Abby, baby girl. You're having a bad dream." My eyes widening anxiously as she begins to thrash harder. She begins mumbling incoherently, that turns into her pleading legibly. 

"Please! Stop!" She shakes her head, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Conner - Please! No!" She gives one last scream before I'm completely picking her up, hugging her tightly to my chest, careful not to hurt her injured arm. I whisper comforting words into her ear before her sobs turn to sniffles. 

I slowly move her back onto the bed, amazed that she is still asleep after all of that, but thankful that at least she is sleeping peacefully now. I climb back onto the bed, lying down on my side and wrapping my arms around her, and quickly drift off to sleep. 

I'm awoken by the cheerful sound of the nurse's voice. "Good morning, love birds! Time to get up, I have to check her vitals and make sure everything looks good." The nurse walks around to Abby's side of the bed, looking at the numbers on the machines. I groan as Abby stirs awake but roll off of the bed. That was a shit night of sleep. 

The nurse does her job and leaves the room in an annoyingly chipper mood. I turn to Abby to find her already staring at me with a soft smile. "Morning. I see you're not a morning person." I groan but smile back at her. I just can't help it. She's so fucking beautiful. 

"I'm definitely not a morning person, especially before I've had a chance to drink my first cup of coffee. Would you like some?" She nods her head appreciatively before I leave to grab us some. When I get back, she is sitting up watching some game show on the small tv on the wall. 

She kisses my cheek thankfully, before sipping on the caffeinated goodness. I sip on mine too, not sure if now was a good time to ask her about her dream. I clear my throat, now is as good of a time as any. "So, who's Conner?" 

Abby freezes, her cup halfway to her lips. Her eyes are wide, and I notice when her hands begin to shake. Whoever this Conner guy is, fucked her up badly. Maybe he is an ex-boyfriend? I take another sip from my coffee. "Sorry. If you don't want to talk about him that is fine. Just- Last night you were having a nightmare and you said his name." 

I really wanted to know, I was curious and if she wasn't going to tell me, I'll respect that, but I will think of a million ways this Conner guy was in her life. Hell, for all I know he could possibly still be in her life. It sounded like she was trying to stop him from something, but what? 

She hastily licks her lips, setting her cup down in between her thighs, tracing the rim with one finger. I could see her internal debate playing in her eyes, questioning whether to tell me the truth or not. I wasn't going to force her to tell me though. I turn to the tv, slowly drinking my coffee as the minutes tick by. 

Eventually, Abby let out a shaky breath. "Conner was my adoptive brother." Her voice was low, but loud enough for me to hear. I nod my head, letting her know I heard her. I was scared to speak; I didn't want to interrupt and her end up not tell me anything else. 

She opens her mouth to speak, before closing it again. She does this several times before she begins to sob. I jump out of my seat rapidly. Placing my cup down I move to her, wrapping my arms around her and stroking my fingers through her surprisingly smooth hair, regardless of her not brushing it after sleeping and thrashing the way she was. "Shh. It is okay. You don't have to tell me if you're not ready. You're okay, I've got you." 

All the while I'm soothing her, I can't help but wonder. Who in the hell is this Conner guy?