It scares me though. I’m scared of what lengths I will go to make sure she stays safe, to make sure she’s still mine. What wouldn’t I do to protect her? Nothing comes to mind. I’d burn the fuckin’ world down if it meant keeping her safe.
She doesn’t say anything else, but she hugs me back, and that’s enough for now.
We dry off after the shower and she wears one of my shirts. I catch her smelling it before she puts it on and closing her eyes like she loves it. I smirk. I throw on jeans and a t-shirt and move behind her, sliding my arms around her stomach and resting my head beside hers. “Want to watch a movie?” I ask.
She turns to look at me, eyebrows drawn down. “A movie?”
“Yeah. What, did you think I don’t watch movies?”
“Maybe.”
“Then follow me and prepare to be amazed. I have a whole collection of Blu Rays over here.”
I hear the soft pad of her bare feet on the tile behind me as I walk to the living room. I kneel and open a cabinet full of neatly displayed movies. She kneels beside me, barely hiding a smile as she looks through them.
“Really?” she asks. “The Godfather. Goodfellas. Casino...you’re like a walking stereotype.”
I feel blood rush to my cheeks. “Hey come on. Look at the rest. I’ve got fuckin’ Shutter Island here. A psychological thriller, thank you very much.”
She laughs, and the careless smile on her face makes me forget my embarrassment. It’s good to see her relax around me, really good. It makes me start thinking some really stupid thoughts, thoughts of what this thing between us could be if it had time. Then she covers her mouth and laughs so hard she snorts.
My eyes follow hers and I groan. “That’s not what it looks like. I got a little cousin…”
She pulls out the box set of Harry Potter movies and holds them up as if I didn’t know what she was laughing at. “You’re a Harry Potter fan?”
I scratch the back of my neck. “I’ve seen ‘em.”
“I didn’t know you could blush, either.” She runs a playful finger down my neck and to my chest. “You’re full of surprises. For the record, I absolutely love Harry Potter. Can we watch one? Maybe the fourth? That’s my favorite.”
Before I can stop myself, I nod my head. “Hell yeah. The Triwizard Cup is...my cousin’s favorite.”
She covers her mouth again, eyes lighting up with her laughter. I can’t help it. I laugh, too. Fuck, it feels good. We spend the rest of the night spooned on the couch, watching the movie while my nose is full of the delicious scent of her hair and my hands wander her body. It’s the most normal thing I’ve done in as long as I can remember. We’re not dressed to impress and sitting in some fancy restaurant or watching an expensive show. It’s just me, her, a movie that I will never admit I love, and the city lights surrounding us. She falls asleep right before Harry steps in the ring with the dragon. I pause the movie and gently lay her head down, slipping away to grab some blankets for her.
Once I’m sure she’s asleep, I check my phone. Eight texts, two voicemails, and a ton of missed calls. Shit. I glance at her again. I can call deliveries in for her if I’m gone too long, and there’s plenty in the fridge…I hate walking away from her right now because I was really looking forward to a good morning fuck. But with the shit going on between the families, I can’t ignore business right now. Not even for her. I scribble a quick note and slap it on the door to the elevator:
Business called. Had to run. Make yourself at home, but do not leave. It’s not safe for you yet. I’ll call if I can.
P.S. I’m not fuckin’ around. Don’t you dare leave the apartment.
-Vince
16
Aubriella
I wake up when a shaft of the rising sunlight spears through the windows and hits my eyes. I sit up, suddenly wide awake when I realize where I am. It wasn’t just a dream or a nightmare. It all happened. I can still smell him through his shirt. Before I realize what I’m doing, I’ve grabbed my phone and turned it on to check my notifications. Five texts from Aria.
Aria (8:37) - Still pissed, but thanks for letting me know Ronnie is okay. Heading over to see him now. U ok?
Aria (8:54) - You said you saw him. He didn’t hurt you, did he?
Aria (9:02) - Please text back. Getting worried.
Aria (9:04) - I’m going to call the police if I don’t hear from you soon.
Aria (9:06) - Called police. I really hope ur ok.
She called the police? Jesus. Just because I didn’t text back within thirty minutes? I groan out loud. That’s going to complicate things. SportsCast will tell the police that I disappeared in the middle of my shift after missing my first assignment in four years. My dad will confirm that I’m missing because I dodged his call before the game. Hell, they will find my car in the parking lot at the stadium and my empty apartment. It’s going to look like I was kidnapped or murdered. I need to get back there and straighten all of this out.