When I tasted the coffee she bought for me, I had to try and hold in my laugh. It was shit, just like that last one. I drank every fucking drop though, which pissed her off even more. Is it wrong how I get pleasure out of riling her up?
While she’s outside saying goodbye to Dana, I sit here contemplating what I’m going to say to her when she comes back inside. It’s getting late, and I know I should get going, but I don’t want to leave her. I’ve always felt protective when it comes to my sweet-cheeks. After last night, that feeling is stronger than ever. I need to be here, even if she doesn’t want it. Having me around may help her feel safer.
If I have to sleep in the fucking truck again, I will.
When Angel comes back inside, she forces out a smile. I can see her eyes are red and puffy, so I know she’s been crying. I hate how she feels like she needs to be strong around me. I’m glad she can at least let her guard down with her friend, but the selfish part of me wants me to be the one she turns to.
All the things I planned to say to her have now changed. I’m staying over. End. Of. Fucking. Story. “So, do you have a spare blanket and pillow I can use?” I ask. Her eyes widen with shock, and I almost want to laugh.
“Why?”
“Because I’m sleeping on your couch tonight.”
“But…”
“No buts, sweet-cheeks. I’m staying over.”
“Ummm…sure, okay,” she says, and I can tell she’s trying to hold back her smile. Truth is, I know she doesn’t want to be on her own, but there’s no way she would have asked me to stay, so I made it easy for her.
After walking down the hall, she comes back holding a few blankets and a pillow. “I do have beds in the spare rooms,” she says with a smile full of gratitude. “You’re more than welcome to sleep in one of them.”
“Nope, couch is fine.”
What I really want to say is, “I’m more than happy to share your bed,” but that would be a bad fucking move. I’ve never spent a night with a woman before, so I’m surprised I’d even want that. Then again, everything I think and feel when it comes to Angel is foreign to me.
“Thank you,” is all she says as she tries to wrap her arms around me. The blankets and pillow I’m holding in front of me make it impossible though. It causes her to laugh.
Fuck, I love that sound.
••••
I wake the next morning to a knock on the door. At first I’m disorientated, but then I remember I’m on Angel’s couch. I throw back the blankets, rubbing my eyes as I stand. I ended up sleeping in my jeans. The fact I go commando didn’t leave me with any other option.
I couldn’t risk sweet-cheeks getting up in the middle of the night to find me sprawled out on her couch, naked. After all, last time she’d seen me like that she practically attacked me. Well not really, but you know what I mean.
I stand there for a minute or so. I’m unsure whether I should answer it or not. I don’t want to wake Angel though. She needs her rest. Decision made, I make my way towards the door.
I get a shock when I open it. I find a just as shocked, older version of my sweet-cheeks standing there. Fuck. It must be her mother. It has to be.
The colour drains from her face as she stands staring at me. “Hi,” I say, trying to ease the awkward situation. Shit, I should’ve woken Angel. I’m sure she wasn’t expecting to find a half-naked guy answering her daughter’s door first thing in the morning.
“H…hi,” she stammers, still a little unsure of what’s going on. “Is Angel home?”
“She’s still asleep. I’m Chase. Chase Daniels,” I answer, extending my hand to her. At first she looks down out my outstretched hand, before finally grabbing hold.
“Daniels,” she mumbles. I have no idea why. “I’m Brooke. Brooke Cavanagh. Angel’s mum.” When she lets go of my hand, she looks me up and down. I use this time to do the same. I can’t believe how much sweet-cheeks looks like her mum.
She’s a fucking babe.
“Come in,” I say, stepping aside. It feels weird inviting someone into a house that isn’t mine. She smiles, reaching down. That’s when I notice a small suitcase sitting at her feet. “Let me get that for you.”
“Oh, thank you,” she says, her smile growing. “I’m not interrupting anything am I? I wasn’t aware Angel had company.” I almost want to laugh at her question. I’m not sure what Angel has told her mum in regards to the attack, so I play it cool just in case.
“No. It was late last night, so I ended up crashing on the couch.” I notice her eyes move in that direction. Relief washes over her face when she sees the pillow and blankets laying there.