He’s got to be okay. He’s here.
I watch him like a creeper from behind the blinds as he gets out and walks to the other side of his car, opening the door and leaning forward. A second later, he appears with a sleeping Stella in his arms.
Just as I get to the front door and unlock it, he arrives on my welcome mat. I see clear relief wash over his face before he closes the distance between us and places a kiss on my lips over his sister.
“Are you okay?” I whisper, making sure I’m extra quiet, not wanting to wake up Stella since it’s way past her bedtime.
He nods before looking down at her. “Do you mind if I put her down on your bed so she can sleep? I don’t want her to wake up because she might not be able to fall asleep again.”
“No, not at all. Follow me.”
With him following me upstairs, I push my bedroom door open and push back my covers. Watching him delicately place her in my bed before kissing her forehead and pulling the sheets up to her chin tugs at my heartstrings.
He’s such a good guy, and he doesn’t even know it …
He turns to me, pulls me to his chest, and embraces me tightly.
“I don’t even know what to say.” My voice is muffled by his chest as I try to keep it together. “What happened when we left?”
“I just had a nice chat with him. Didn’t want to land myself in jail tonight with so many witnesses,” he says against my hair, breathing me in like I’m his salvation.
“Thank you for coming and helping us out. I didn’t want to get you involved, but I just didn’t know what to do.”
“I’m glad you called me.” He grips my jaw with his hand. “What am I good for as your boyfriend if I don’t protect you and your loved ones?”
I sniffle as my first tear rolls down my face before tons follow.
He swipes them away with his thumb. “Some parents suck, huh?” he says softly.
I nod, not wanting to speak, and he gathers me against his chest once again and kisses my temple.
“Is your brother okay?”
“As good as you could imagine after the day we had today, but he’s asleep right now. So, that’s a plus.”
“Is your dad the reason why you were so upset in the elevator a couple of months back?” He runs a hand through my long hair before massaging my stiff neck.
Swallowing tightly, I fist his black T-shirt. “Yes, he was the reason.”
“He didn’t touch you, did he?”
I hear his heartbeat speed up from where my ear lies on his chest in my dark, quiet room.
“No, he didn’t touch me. He just said something horrible.”
“I don’t even want to know what he said or else I’ll end up in jail,” he grumbles, stuffing his face in my neck. “Always call me when you’re upset or if he makes you cry. I’d do anything for that to never happen again. He doesn’t deserve your tears.”
“It’s better if you don’t know what he said,” I agree, not wanting to break my heart by saying my dad’s claim out loud. “But I’ll call you if that’s what you really want.”
I feel his chin nod on the top of my head.
After a few moments, he breaks our embrace to wash his hands. Of course, I follow and sit on the closed toilet seat. He makes me feel put together, like I’m a finished puzzle after being unsolved for years.
“Do you think everyone’s going to know we’re dating after today?”
Wiping his hands on my hand towel, he speaks over his shoulder. “I’m not sure. We can play it off if you really want to.”
“I think keeping us a secret for now is the best. After the day we all had with my dad, I don’t think Leonidas will react well at all.”
