Chapter 33
Chapter Thirty-Three
Rome
S he knew.
My girl knows me better than I know myself.
I had to review those plans and give Malik the notes. I couldn’t chance him screwing me over when the season starts. People like him can ruin people like me. My future is mine, and I won’t let him touch it. Even if that means I go against my moral code. If he wants me to do his task, then fine, I’ll do it.
My eyes were strained when I walked out of the conference room. Malik took the packet without a thank-you, but I didn’t care. I just wanted to get away from him and be with my sunshine.
The car slows, and the engine turns off. I stir in my seat when she places her hand on my shoulder and gives me a gentle shake.
“Hey.” Her tone is comforting, and it soothes my pounding headache. “Let’s get you to bed, come on.”
I open my eyes and unfasten my seat belt. The left side of my head pulses and pain trickles down to my eye.
“I think I have a migraine,” I mumble and wince as she closes the driver-side door.
“Do you get them often?” she asks while opening my door.
“Sometimes, if I focus too hard.”
She doesn’t respond.
I barely remember entering my apartment or sitting in bed. My back hits my bed, and Chrissy pulls my shoes and socks off.
“I’m going to get you some medicine. When I get back, I want to see you under those blankets and super cozy.”
“Okay,” I mumble.
Pushing myself up, I crawl under my comforter. The fabric is cool against my bare skin. I didn’t realize how tense my shoulders felt until the mattress cushioned my frame. With my eyes closed, I work on pushing away my negative thoughts.
The sound of footsteps inches toward me. I start to open my eyes, but she stops me.
“Keep those things closed, mister,” she instructs me. “Give me your hand.”
When I hold my hand out, she puts some medicine in my palm. I pop the pills in my mouth and accept the glass of water.
“That should help, along with a nap and a dark room.”
“Thank you,” I mutter before lying back down.
“Oh, Rome,” she sighs before sitting next to me. “I told you this might happen. You’re pushing yourself too hard.”
She brushes the hair away from my forehead and rests the back of her hand on my forehead. She’s cold to the touch, and it cools my forehead instantly.
“Mmm, that’s nice.”
“I’ll have dinner for you when you wake up. Just rest, don’t worry about anything right now.”
She goes to leave, but I reach out and grab her hand. “Please stay.” My eyes throb when I look at her, but I need her to know I want her with me. “Just until I fall asleep.”
“Of course,” she says with a soft smile.
I scoot over and lift the blanket for her. She lies down and presses her body against mine.
Draping my arm over her waist, I rest my forehead against her shoulder. “Chrissy?”
She squeezes my hand and tilts her head back. “Rome.”
“I’m about to ask you something, and it’s going to sound childish.”
Shifting against me, she flips onto her other side and takes my hand. “Let me see your handsome eyes, just for a moment.”
I squint my eyes open and look into her blue irises. She places my hand against her lips and kisses it.
“Nothing you say could ever sound childish. Don’t ever feel that way, not with me. You can tell me anything.”
Staring into her eyes, I smile softly and smother my nerves to the best of my ability. “Will you be mine?”
When the question leaves my lips, my stomach twists. I haven’t asked something as important as this since high school, and I haven’t had any love interests since then, either. Nothing has ever gone this far. For all I know, she’ll say no, and I’ll be left alone and broken like I was when I was younger.
Chrissy inches forward and feathers her nose against mine. “Oh, Rome. I’m already yours.”
A comforting warmth spreads through my chest, easing my worry, and I smile widely. “Really?”
“Yes, really,” she chuckles and kisses the tip of my nose. “I’m yours, and you’re mine. Plain and simple, darling.”
I tangle my hand in her hair and pull her against my lips, kissing her with blind devotion.
She grins against my mouth and traces tiny circles on my arm. “Now sleep. We can kiss more once that headache of yours goes away, deal?”
“Deal.”
“It’s all your fault!” Father shouts at me, wagging his finger in my face.
“I’m sorry!” I cry before falling to my knees.
“She left because of you. Everything was fine until you were born.”
My palms meet my tear-drenched eyes, trying to scrub the tears away. “I’m sorry.”
“You should have been the one to leave, not her. Anyone but her.”
“I know.”
“You’re the one to blame.”
“I know.”
“You’re the reason this family is broken.”
“I know.”
“She left because of you.”
“I know.”
“It’s all your fault.”
“I know . . .”
My eyes are wet when I open them. The room is dark, and my heart feels like someone is squeezing it. That’s not the first time I’ve had that dream. It returns when I’m stressed or tired. Dad never said those things to me, but I know that’s what he thinks when he looks at me. That’s the reason he only calls or texts me once a month. In his eyes, I’m the reason the love of his life left. I’m the reason we’re not happy.
I sit up and rub my eyes, clearing away the tears in the process.
The aroma of fresh bakery rolls and meat filters into my room, piquing my interest.
“Wildflower?” I call out, and she appears in the doorway not a moment later.
“You’re up! How do you feel?” she asks while rushing toward me.
“My eyes are sore, but my headache is almost gone.”
“Good, are you hungry?”
I look at her with a knowing smile. “Do you really need to ask me that?”
“Jeez, the sass master has returned. Stay right there, and I’ll be right back.”
She hurries out of my room, and the clatter of plates and the rustling of paper comes a minute later.
When she returns, she puts two plates down on the bed, along with a brown paper bag.
“One more second.” She walks back out and returns with some ginger ale. “Dinner is served.” She rests her hands on her hips and smiles triumphantly. “Cheesesteaks and french fries. Hope that’s okay. I haven’t had a decent one since my last trip to Pennsylvania.”
“This is perfect, thank you.”
Chrissy turns the TV on while I set our plates up, being super careful not to hit the plates together. When she puts on a true crime doc, I laugh to myself. Now I understand what Ash means when he talks about Gwen putting these shows on when they’re eating or unwinding from a long day.
Her eyes are glued to the screen while we eat. She’s holding her cheesesteak in both hands, blindly taking bites as she watches the TV.
I smile to myself while eating my own food. This is new, but it feels familiar. I’m not uncomfortable or itching to get out. My heart feels at peace, and the dream from earlier isn’t at the forefront of my mind.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Sure,” she answers without looking at me.
“Eyes on me, baby girl,” I chuckle.
“Oh, sorry.” She pauses the show and fixes her gaze on me.
“Do you have plans for the Fourth of July?”
“Hmm, I don’t think so,” she responds while tilting her head back and forth.
“Could I offer an idea?”
“Absolutely! What did you have in mind?” Her excitement spurs on my own.
“Well, I saw a poster for a carnival. It’s a few minutes away from Ash’s. There will be rides, fireworks?—”
“I’m in,” she bursts in with a wide smile.
“Want to invite the rest of the family? Gwen, Ash, Zack, maybe Max?”
“Yes! Oh my gosh, we haven’t done something like this in years! Let alone with all of us! Can I text them now?” she asks while reaching for her phone.
“Yes, go ahead,” I respond, feeling like I’ve done something worthwhile.
Not a minute later, I get a notification. The chat’s title, My Crazy Family, makes me beyond happy.
Chrissy: We’re all going to the carnival by the Waylens’ for the Fourth of July! No ifs, ands, or buts!
Max: I have to work!
Chrissy: On a federal holiday?!
Max: Crime never sleeps!
Chrissy: This is Rome’s idea.
Max: I’ll think about it. . .
Gwen: Yes! I’m so excited! This is a great idea, Rome :D
Ash: I’ll bring the barf bags.
Zack: Does this mean I’m the fifth wheel?
Ash: Not if Max comes.
Zack: Max, you better be free. I need a date!
Max: I said I’ll think about it!
The messages don’t stop after that. Chrissy smiles and giggles as she types away on her phone screen.
I don’t jump in only because my head aches again. Leaning back, I close my eyes and fall asleep, feeling content and at peace.