Chapter 13
I place my phone in the cupholder, relieved she’s agreed to stay with us. I was shocked to find her in the shower.
After seeing her naked, all I could think about was the curve of her breasts and the indent of her waist down to her freshly shaved pussy. She is even more beautiful without her clothes on. I couldn’t look away but forced myself to do the noble thing and get her a towel.
There has to be a reason she snuck into the locker room to take a shower. Many things don’t make sense about Ari, things she is hiding, and things I intend to discover.
Javier didn’t tell her I was deaf because I asked him not to. I wanted it to be up to me to tell her. I wanted it to be my choice. We have an agreement that I get to choose who I tell. I needed to tell her at some point, but I was afraid of her reaction. I didn’t want to see pity in her eyes, but finding her sleeping in her car brought forth a protective instinct inside me that I could never ignore when it came to her.
We all have secrets we want to keep from people because we’re afraid they will see we are different, that we lack something we need, or that we have a weakness.
After driving for five minutes, I find an all-night diner. The moon is nowhere to be found in the dark sky. It’s late, but I didn’t see her eat while she was at the gym. When I followed her to ensure she got home safely, I parked on the side of the road, not believing what I saw. She has nowhere to go. Javier has mentioned an ex-boyfriend, but what kind of monster would put her in this situation? There has to be a reason. I couldn’t sleep at night knowing I left her alone, sleeping in her car in a deserted park. What if something happened and I wasn’t there to stop it? I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself.
My eyes swing to her, and I watch her type on her phone. The light from her screen shines across her face.
Ari: Why are we here?
Rey: Are you hungry? I noticed you didn’t eat anything since you came into the gym.
Ari: It’s ok, Rey. You have done enough by offering me a place to stay.
Rey: Ari, don’t fight me about this. Please, I want to.
My eyes plead with hers. Seconds feel like years as I watch her lips. I could watch her all night. I didn’t realize I was holding my breath when she nodded and removed her seat belt.