56. Chapter 55
Chapter 55
Blake
I thanked everyone again as we said our goodbyes. Their support and generosity was in stark contrast to the blame and anger from Priscilla. She blamed me for the police kicking her out of the house, for their joint accounts being frozen, and for my father going to jail.
How is any of this my fault?
AJ seemed to understand I wasn’t in the mood to talk. After asking if I needed to stop for anything, he turned on the radio to fill the silence.
My jaw dropped when he pulled in front of a small yellow house. I would have guessed a small studio man cave . The light over the door was enough for me to see landscaped flowerbeds on either side of the door.
AJ raced around the car to open my door and help me out. Usually I’d think it was too much, but I was so damned tired I could barely stand, let alone argue.
“Let’s get you inside,” he said, grabbing my bags.
“Your house is cute. So not what I was expecting.”
“It’s not really mine. I rent it,” he said, “but thanks.”
That made more sense. I couldn’t imagine him spending a lot of time tending flowers. Cutting down trees, sure, but not pruning roses.
The inside was even cuter than the outside, with pale yellow striped wallpaper and dark wood built-in bookshelves. He’d adjusted the center shelves to hold his TV and gaming console.
“I’ll give you the penny tour.” He chuckled and put our bags down. “The two bedrooms are off to the right, but one is being turned into an office. The only bath is just around the corner. This is the living room, the dining room, and the kitchen is there.” He pointed to corners in the open space. “Not that you can’t see most of it from here.” He grinned, making his dimples pop.
“Only one bed?” I asked, my voice hitching up an octave. Really? That’s what I want to worry about?
“Yeah, but I’ll sleep on the couch.”
The couch in question was soft, black leather, with a recliner at one end. It looked comfortable, but wasn’t big enough for AJ’s long body.
“Oh.” I wasn’t sure if I was more relieved, or less. We’d shared a bed last night, and it was the best sleep I’d had in a long time.
“Let’s get you settled.”
His apartment was cleaner than I’d imagined for a bachelor pad. The space was cluttered, like he didn’t have time, or the space, to put everything away, but it wasn’t dirty. An American flag decorated one wall, but there wasn’t much else.
“Sorry, it’s a bit messy. I don’t usually have people over.”
“It’s okay,” I said, my cheeks heating from embarrassment. Who was I to judge? The dorm room I shared with Paige always looked like a hurricane had blown through.
AJ carried my bags to his bedroom and set them down. “I’ll get clean sheets and make the bed.”
“Thanks.” His room had closets along one wall, a kingsize bed, and one bedside table. He sleeps on the right side of the bed. Was it weird for him to be on the left side when he slept with me at the safe house?
While he went to get sheets, I pulled out my phone and looked through my messages. I skipped the ones from Priscilla, knowing they contained nothing but anger and hatred.
I also ignored the messages from curious acquaintances. They can wait .
Paige had sent non-stop messages asking if I was okay. Her messages grew more desperate the longer I didn’t answer. At some point, she’d reached out to my father.
He must have lied, because her tone changed from worried to hurt.
Does she know the truth yet ? I was sure it had to be all over the news by now. I’ll call tomorrow and apologize.
Danny sent a bunch of texts too, but unlike Paige, he wasn’t concerned when I didn’t reply. He took it as a personal insult that I was ‘ignoring’ him.
“Blake?” AJ said, rushing to my side, one hand going around my back and the other wiping away the tears I hadn’t felt. “Want to talk about it?”
Putting my phone down, I shook my head back and forth. Needing comfort, I curled into him and gave up the fight. Fear, anger, and sadness flooded my system—each taking its turn at the top of the list. All making me sob uncontrollably.
AJ soothed me with soft sounds and gentle touches until I finally stopped crying. His kiss on the top of my head was a gentle reminder of how much he loved me.
“I shouldn’t have read my texts,” I admitted. “You remember Danny?”
“I do,” he sounded like he wanted to say more, but didn’t.
“He’s mad at me for not answering his texts and emails after the situation.”
“Mad? Not worried?” His voice was borderline growling.
I nodded.
“He’s a selfish ass, Blake,” he said. “Don’t let him get to you.”
“It’s not just him.” I sniffled. “It’s, it’s everything.” Another sob broke free. I wiped away my tears as we sat in silence.
“Want me to draw you a bath?”
A bath sounded amazing. I nodded and whispered, “Thank you.”
He stood up, bent down, and kissed my forehead. “I’ll be right back.”
I grabbed some clean clothes from the suitcase I was still borrowing and walked to the bathroom.
AJ tested the water as it filled the tub, creating a mountain of bubbles.
“You have bubble bath?” Disbelief filled my voice.
“No, sorry, I had to use shampoo.” He laughed.
I laughed with him. It was hard to reconcile the man I’d seen shoot someone earlier today with the man apologizing for using shampoo to give me bubbles for my bath.
“Andrew.” I waited until he turned back towards me. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Let me know if the temperature is too hot. I take scalding showers, so it’s hard for me to judge.”
I leaned over and put my hand in the running water and immediately jerked it back.
AJ took my hand and kissed my fingers. “Sorry, I’ll adjust it.”
Once the tub was full, AJ apologized for not having any candles, and asked if I needed anything before leaving me to relax.
I wasn’t prepared for AJ’s scent to envelop me as I eased myself into the bubbles. A quick glance at the shampoo bottle explained why—his shampoo was also his body wash.
Tension left my body as I sank under the bubbles and let AJ’s warm leather scent surround me like a warm hug.
A knock at the door made me yelp and sit up too quickly, splashing water everywhere.
“Are you okay?” AJ asked through the door. His voice cut through the fog in my mind.
“Yeah, I must have dozed off,” I called through the door, wondering how long I’d been asleep in the tub. “You startled me when you knocked.” Long enough for the bubbles to pop and the water to cool off.
“Sorry about that.”
“It’s okay. I’ll be right out.”
After drying off and getting dressed in cute PJ shorts and a matching tank, I joined AJ in the kitchen. The first thing he did was hand me a glass of water and two aspirin.
“Thank you.” I drained half the glass. “Sorry, I keep freaking out on you.”
“Blake, please don’t apologize. You’ve been through hell. I’d be worried if you weren’t ‘freaking out’, your words not mine, a little bit.”
His words brought more tears to my eyes. God, I’m a wreck .
“Come on, let’s get you to bed,” he said, standing up and extending his hand. “Let me know if you want more blankets.”
He’d put at least two on the bed with an extra one folded at the foot, so I didn’t think I would unless he turned the air conditioner on.
“I’ll be on the couch if you need me.”
Not wanting to be alone, I looked at the bed and fidgeted.
“I’d be happy to stay with you until you fall asleep, or longer. If you want.”
I wanted to be strong and independent.
I needed AJ’s strong arms around me, helping me feel safe.
I nodded, then gathered my courage and said the words out loud. “I’d like for you to stay.” Looking at the floor, I admitted. “Longer.”
I’m no less strong or independent for wanting comfort.
AJ stepped close and lifted my chin, forcing me to tilt my head so I could look in his eyes, before saying, “It’d be my pleasure.”
His rough voice sent shivers down my spine.
He helped me get in bed before promising to come right back.
I fidgeted with the blanket while I waited, a thousand and one thoughts floating through my mind.
My entire life had been turned upside down, and I had no idea what tomorrow would bring, but tonight I wanted to pretend nothing had happened.
The bed dipping startled me. I must have fallen asleep.
AJ sat on the edge of the bed and put his gun in the nightstand. I waited for the anticipated fear, but it didn’t come.
When he tucked his feet under the blanket and stretched out on his back beside me, I curled up next to him.
I thought it’d be impossible to fall asleep, but the combination of AJ’s steady heartbeat, his hand caressing my arm, and his warm body smelling like he’d just stepped out of the shower, I was lulled to sleep in no time.