Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
RICH
T he girls never know when to stop. They keep pushing, and it’s starting to piss me the fuck off.
“Don’t be mad.” Fallon gives my hand a squeeze.
“I’m not mad at you.” I try to school my features, but I have noticed Fallon is good at reading people. It might be a cool hat trick, but I know despite her sheltered upbringing, she got that ability from the life she’s lived. I don’t even want to think about the circumstances that made her so proficient in it.
Anytime I get pissed or worked up, she is quick to try and soothe me. I’m not sure if it’s because she wants to be a peacemaker or if it’s a protection thing. Angry people often hurt others.
“I know you’re not mad at me, but still.”
“When people get mad, it doesn’t mean violence.” How am I the one dishing out this advice? I spend way too much time beating the shit out of people.
“I think you should go to your fight thing. Then there is no reason to be mad.” I close the bedroom door behind us, flipping the lock into place. Now no one can barge in on us. I’d been so close to getting Fallon to open up more before my sister and Teddy came bouncing into the room. I know they mean well, but I’m not up for sharing. That probably makes me an asshole. I should be encouraging her to spend time with the girls, but I can’t help but want to consume every damn second of her time.
“I’m not mad because I’m not going to the fight tonight.”
“But you should go.”
“Sure, but that doesn’t matter.” I wave it off. “What matters is them putting you in an uncool situation. They were all but pressing for you to stay with them tonight. It’s why they made some of the comments. They’re being sneaky.”
“Sneaky?” She visibly tenses. “Like hiding something?” I can see her mind starting to spin.
“Not nefariously so."
“I don’t understand.”
“They are trying to befriend you. Get close,” I try to explain to her.
“And that upsets you?” Her teeth sink into her bottom lip. Shit, I might as well be honest. I can’t expect to try to slowly work her secrets out from deep inside of her and not give her truths when she asks for them.
“It doesn’t upset me.” I shrug but give her a playful smile. I suppose I get worked up myself when she’s upset too. “I’m just not excited about sharing you, but I don’t want anyone rushing or making you uncomfortable by putting you on the spot like that.”
“Thank you.” I watch more of the tension leave her. Fallon places her hands on my bare chest. “I still think you should go tonight. It bothers me that you have to skip things for me.”
“It’s just a fight.”
“School?”
“Hate that place.” A small giggle pops from her.
“But really. Go, please.” When she gives me those wide, innocent eyes, it’s hard to say no.
“I don’t want to leave you alone.”
“I’ll be with the girls.”
Fuck, she's making this hard. "The girls aren't here to guilt you into hanging out. I'll go down there and make up some shit about me not letting it happen tonight."
"You'd lie?"
"For you? Without hesitation."
"That's really sweet and terrible." A smile plays on her lips.
"Terrible?" I lift my brows. "I'd do all kinds of terrible things for you, dollface." And that is not a lie. There isn’t much I wouldn’t do for her.
"Well for tonight, will you go to this fight thing?" I can tell she isn't going to let this go. I'd rather stay here, but the plus side of going is to see if anyone is trying to find the missing girl standing in front of me.
"Yeah, I'll go." I relent. Fallon's face gives nothing away.
"When do you have to leave?"
"Pretty soon."
"Okay." She lets out a breath. "I can do this. I want to do this. I can't cling to you, and they are trying to be nice. This will be good for both of us." I’m not sure if she’s trying to convince me more or herself.
"Only care about it being good for you. You can get to know the girls while I'm home too," I point out. "I can?—"
"You're going to the fight," Fallon cuts in, her chin rising. I watch a small fire light in those beautiful green eyes of hers. As much as I don’t want to leave her, I love that she’s taking a stance on this. That I can give her a bit of power back in making decisions for herself.
"Yes, ma'am." I lean down and kiss her forehead, letting my lips linger there. Fallon lets herself melt more into me.
"Maybe one day I'll go with you," she mutters against my chest. I'm not sure how I feel about that, but I'll take it one step at a time. I can’t say whether it would be more difficult for Fallon or for me.
It's not lost on me that the sooner I knock out whoever I'm fighting, the sooner I can get back home.
"Get ready. You don't have to stand here and coddle me." Fallon starts to step back, but I snag her around the waist to stop her.
Does she really think that in moments like this one it's me that’s coddling her? Pretty sure I'm coddling myself with her. I stay as close to her for as long as I possibly can.
"I love our coddling. Don't be taking it away from me. Enjoy the cuddling too."
"I do too," Fallon admits as pink blooms across her cheeks. That blush always does it for me. I clear my throat.
"I'm going to hop into the shower." I kiss her on the forehead again. This time I release my hold so that she can step fully back. “I’ll go shower.”
“You’ve said that twice now.” Fallon laughs.
“See, I don’t want to leave you.” Her eyes light up, making me want to reach for her. “I’m really going now.” I force myself to move, knowing I could end up standing right here all night.
If Fallon asked, I gladly would.