"Don't worry about it. You needed to rest."
But then she blinks again and seems to register the position we're in—her still curled into my side. Her expression shifts, the smile falling away as she sits up with sudden awareness.
"Oh my god, I'm so sorry—did Idroolon you?" she asks, a cute blush on her cheeks as she ducks her head, refusing to meet my eyes. Instead, she inspects my shirt with a look of horror, searching for any damp spots.
"No drool," I laugh, and it makes her face relax. I reach out because I'm apparently past the point of no return and tilt her chin up with my fingers, making her meet my eyes and see the smile on my face. "Wouldn't really care if you did, to be honest."
"Okay, good," she sighs.
She stretches her arms over her head and lets out a soft groan, cracking her back with a sound of relief. Her sweatshirt rides up slightly, revealing a narrow sliver of smooth, pale skin just above the waistband of her leggings. I look away pointedly, giving her the moment to gather herself, and myself a second to breathe, then rise from the bed, trying to brush off the images that attempt to infiltrate my brain.
That one text slips through,about her being in the bath, and I remember how I had to put my phone down for a minute. Pretty sure my brain rebooted, and the images that came from that text I had no business thinking about. Doesn’t mean it wasn’t a nice picture in my brain, though.
When I step to her side of the bed, I offer my hands as she moves to stand. She accepts without hesitation, and I keep my grip on her arms, steadying her as she gets her bearings.
"You feel okay?" I ask, my voice soft, fingers still resting lightly on her elbows.
"Yeah, I'm fine now,” she looks a little embarrassed. “It's just... all hit me at once. I'm sor-"
"Don't," I gently cut her off, my voice still firm and brokeringno arguments. "Don't apologize. You needed help, I gave it."
She looks at me, blue-green eyes focused and searching. I don't know what she finds, but her face softens, and she nods, a small smile on her face. She opens her mouth to say something before a knock at the door interrupts her.
"Mom ordered food for us," I explain at her confused frown.
"Your mom is an angel," Sophie sighs in relief, patting her stomach. "I'm going to get dressed, do you need money for th—"
"Nope," I'm already stepping back, so she doesn't even try to hand me money to pay for the food. She rolls her eyes at me, a grin on her face as she heads into the bathroom, and I head to the door to grab our food, the smile not leaving my own face.
Thirty minutes later, we're stuffed with chicken noodle soup and bread, sitting on Sophie's couch. We're continuing to watchMatildabecause Sophie was determined not to ruin our first movie night. Now we can actually call it movie night, the sky is darkening outside.
My arm rests against the back of the couch, and Sophie slots herself right next to me, not cuddling fully, but she fits right in the crook of my arm. If I were braver, I'd drop my arm down and pull her in close to me, cuddle her to my chest, bury my nose in her hair, and just inhale that scent of Sophie, of comfort.
And for a moment, I let my mind whisper that shewouldlet me, that shewouldcuddle into me too.
We’re both under her thick orange blanket. She had changed into loose black pants and her old college hoodie, the hood pulled up once more to cover her head. I wasn't going to say anything. I wouldneverdo anything to make her feel ashamed, even by pointing out that she didn't have to hide her hair from me. I've already seen her hair loss, and she's still Sophie.
But, she has her reasons, so I leave it be. Her comfort is always my number one priority.
When the credits roll, neither of us moves right away, and Iglance over to Sophie, who looks pensive while nibbling on her lower lip. She takes a deep breath and closes her eyes.
"I'msoscared, Callum," Sophie says suddenly, and I freeze, cold rushing through my veins. "I had all these plans. They were solid and within my grasp. I wasalmostthere, almost to the start of them. Everything was going well... and then I found the lump. Then my fiancé cheated on me—just like that—like he had been just waiting for the chance to do so. It was soeasyfor him to throw away everything. Like I'mnothing. Worthless, and undeserving ofbasic fucking decencyto just break up with me first..."
A storm builds inside of me at her painful words, and I don't get angry easily. I'm levelheaded. Ithinkabout the consequences of my words and actions before I speak or act.
My mom always cautions me to be patient in all things, and I'm good at it.
But my restraint is nonexistent right now.
Paul, you pathetic worm,I snarl in my mind.
I'm so pissed, so angry, so goddamnfuriousat Paul. How dare he? I never even felt this angry back then, during the Lauren incident, when my heart was ripped out of my chest and spat on publicly. Butthis?This vicious cruelty to Sophie of all people? As the fury surges through me, my fists tighten, nails biting into my palms and giving me some outlet to the fire running through my veins. I don't even know if I would be able to be reasoned with if I saw him at this moment.
I'd beat the shit out of him.
And Iwouldn'tstop.
Because he hurt Sophie.
