Sierra
Chapter eight
I’m exhausted and all I want to do is fall into my bed and sleep. No, scratch that. I want to sleep in Sam’s bed. To smell her scent wrapping around me as I pretend like she’s here with me.
I skip the elevator and head straight for the stairs. Something about being in that tiny little box with him has me feeling uneasy. It shouldn’t—he’s never made me feel that way before, but it seems as if my whole life has been a lie.
When we get to the landing, I head straight to my apartment, stopping in front of the door and waiting. I can’t get in. My bag with my keys is still at the foster home. Mrs. Butler and Cyrus are the only other ones that have one.
“What are you waiting for?” he asks as he steps up behind me.
“I don’t have my keys. When CPS took us, I locked the door when we left.” My eyes roll into the back of my head. He knows that, I’m not sure why he’s asking.
“Turn the knob, Sierra.”
Taking hold of the handle, I turn it. The door opens, and standing there in my living room is Cyrus.
A weight lifts off my chest. I didn't realize how much I feared I wouldn’t see him again until this moment.
Before I can even take a step inside, he’s across the room, pulling me tight into his arms.
“I’ve fucking missed you. I didn’t know if I’d see you again,” he whispers, placing a kiss on my forehead.
“How did you know I’d be here?” I haven’t messaged anyone. My phone was barely charged when I left and I didn’t have my charger. It’s now dead at the foster home with my bag.
“Rico.” I turn to face my uncle at Cyrus’ words.
“Allow me to formally introduce myself. I’m Ricochet Williams, but I go by Rico, and I’m your uncle.”
“You’re her uncle. But you gave her a job at the club. Oh, fuck, I’m going to be sick. You watched her dance. Saw her in the dressing room.” Cyrus brings his hand to his mouth. Sadly, until this moment, I hadn’t even thought of that. Now I feel sick too.
“No, I never watched her dance. Whenever you were on stage, I kept my eyes elsewhere. Same thing for when I went into the dressing room. My eyes were on the floor. Never would I look at my niece like that.” Rico steps past us and begins walking around the apartment, taking everything in.
“I’ve missed you so bad. Leaving you was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Are you feeling okay? Come on, sit down and rest.” Still holding my hand, Cyrus guides me over to the couch and we sit. I haven’t let go of him yet and I don’t plan on doing so, ever.
His hand strokes up and down my arm as I rest my head on his shoulder. I inhale his smoky scent. “You were at the club?”
His chest shakes as he lets out a laugh. “Yeah, no school today, so Rico asked me to cover. Now I know why. When he called and told me he was bringing you home and to get my ass over here, I did. Didn’t even get a chance to shower. Where’s Sam?”
“He didn’t tell you?” I lift my head to look into his soulful chocolate eyes.
“No, what happened?”
“Whoever the prick is who turned her in accused her of hurting Sam. Don’t worry, I’m getting it taken care of. Just like I’m going to handle that aunt of hers as soon as I find her.” Rico’s deep voice booms from behind us, causing me to jump farther into Cyrus’s arms.
He comes around the couch and kneels down in front of me.
“I’m sorry I didn’t step in sooner. In my defense, I thought I was doing the right thing by you.
I know I was wrong now. Just give me some time and I will clear all this up.
You’re going to stay here, go back to school, and try to live as much of a normal life as you can.
I’ll be in and out, but if you need anything, just let me know. ”
“I need to work. Can I come back?” I pull at the frayed edges of my shirt, not wanting to look him in the face. It’s still so hard to see him as my uncle when he’s been my boss.
“You don’t need to work there, Sierra.”
“Yes, I do. I need money to survive and I’m not taking handouts.
If I want custody of Sam when I turn eighteen, I need to be able to show I can take care of her.
” My voice hitches, the pain of being separated from Sam still so new and raw.
Cyrus just holds me tighter, sharing a little bit of his strength with me.
“Fine, but you’re not coming back until you feel better and some of the bruising has faded.
I know you still have the gentleman that wants you for a private party and I had told them you’d be ready in a week.
You still wanting to do it? Also, Liza said someone else had called in about wanting a private party with you. Seems like your little Miss Popular.”
“Yes, to both. I need to save some money. Sarah took everything I had and bills are going to be coming due.” I lower my head, not wanting to look them in the eyes.
“You don’t have to worry about bills right now, or even work.
I only want you to focus on healing and school.
I’ll handle everything else. As far as work, I know how independent you are, and I’d never try to stifle or tell you what to do.
You’ve been raising yourself since your mother’s death, and I realize I’d be an ass to try to butt in now.
I’m not going to step in and try to dictate what you do.
I’ll call you tomorrow.” He leans in, giving me a kiss on my forehead, and heads to the door.
Just as he takes hold of the doorknob, he turns back to us. “Cyrus, make sure she eats, and stay with her tonight. I don’t want her to be alone.”
“I planned on it.” Cyrus’s hot breath skims across my face as I look up at him, not waiting to let go of him but needing to.
“Good. Sierra, I love you.” With those words, he opens the door and steps out into the hallway, closing it behind him.
“You don’t care if I stay, do you? I probably should have asked you.”
“Please don’t leave me. I don’t want to be alone.”
“Then let’s get you something to eat. What sounds good?” He shoots me a wink, but I can’t think straight. I don’t even know if I can eat anything without throwing it up.
“I’m going to order a pizza,” he tells me as he pulls out his phone and places an order online.
I snuggle closer to him, soaking in his familiar scent. My eyes grow heavy, the weight of the day finally hitting me. Cyrus is talking, but it sounds muffled. I can barely make out what he’s saying before there's nothing but quiet.
Chapter Break
My eyes flutter open, and I feel as if I’m in a sauna.
It takes me a minute to register that I’m in my bed.
The last thing I remember is sitting with Cyrus on the couch as he comforted me.
The room is dark and there’s a heavy weight across my stomach.
Looking down, I see it’s an arm, and I jerk a little before catching sight of Cyrus out of the corner of my eye.
My heart rate slows, only to be hit with an urgent need to pee.
I take hold of his hand and try to lift it off of me, only for him to grip me tighter, pulling me against his body.
“Don’t leave, Sierra,” his husky voice growls into my ear.
“I need to pee,” I whisper softly.
“Okay, just come back. Wait, are you hungry? You fell asleep before you could eat.” He moves his arm off of me, and I sit up slowly. My stomach chooses that moment to growl.
“Umm, yeah. Just a little,” I confess.
“Go to the bathroom, and I’ll warm us up something to eat.” He sits up, then scoots across the bed until he’s sitting beside me. “Everything is going to work out, Sierra.” He leans in and kisses me on my cheek before standing and leaving the room.
My cheek. Why did he kiss me there? Has he changed his mind about me?
My need to pee wins out over my curiosity. It doesn’t take long to take care of my business, and I wash my hands before heading to the kitchen. Cyrus is standing at the stove, warming up some pizza in the microwave.
“You know I can eat it cold,” I tell him as I step over to the fridge, taking out two cans of soda.
He turns around to face me, his mouth open and eyes wide. “I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that.” Winking, he turns back to the microwave and pulls out the plate. My stomach does somersaults just from the way he looks at me.
“What? Cold pizza is amazing. It’s mine and Sam’s favorite.” My words grow softer as I speak, the thought of her not being here with me hitting me right in the heart.
He sets the plate on the table, then takes the seat beside me, putting his arm around my shoulder.
“Listen to me baby, she’s going to be back with you soon. This is just a tiny bump in the road. It will be patched up before you know it. Just stay positive. Now eat up.” Cyrus removes his arm, picks up a slice of pizza and takes a large bite.
My stomach growls as I watch him, angry that I’ve not picked up a piece of the enticing food. Grabbing a slice, I raise it to my mouth, taking a bite of the cheesy goodness. I can’t help the groan as the bacon, hamburger, and cheese flavors erupt on my tongue.
“You need to stop making those noises. I’m trying to be good,” he mumbles around a mouthful of food.
“Sorry.” I set my pizza down on my plate, my nerves rattled.
“Don’t be. It’s taking all my willpower to hold back, but once you’re eighteen, you’re all mine. But we need to talk first.”
My heart starts beating erratically. What does he need to talk about? Has he decided I’m too much of a headache for him? I let him in and then all my baggage got dumped on him so I can’t blame him.
“Who are those guys that were here yesterday? Are you seeing one of them?”
This is it.