Chapter 20 #2
“Mhm.” When I come back to him with all the stuff, he assesses my face closely. “How’s the Liam situation?” he asks. The weight in his words surprises me; it’s hard for me to believe how close Mad and I have become over time. Closer than I’d have ever expected.
“Things are better than I ever thought they could be.” I can hear the dreamy lilt in my voice, and blood rushes to my cheeks. He grins and it meets his eyes, making the corners turn up—it’s rare to see him smile like that.
“Good. Just cause you’re all cozied up now doesn’t mean you can’t pay me a visit every once in a while, though,” he says looking at me pointedly.
“I planned a mansion party next weekend for the end of summer. I expect to see you there.” I haven’t heard a single thing about this which really goes to show just how cozied up I’ve been lately.
The idea of a mansion party is appealing though, and knowing Mad, it’ll be next level.
“I’ll definitely be there. And I promise I’ll come see you soon,” I assure him. I bag up his stuff and he goes on his way. A few minutes later, I get a text from him with the address. I pocket my phone and anxiously endure the rest of my shift.
I take a different route home after work so I can stop and get Liam something I saw in a shop’s window the other day.
I had been skating by, music blaring through my headphones when I noticed it.
Immediately, I went inside and checked the price, but of course.
I didn’t have enough. Today was pay day, though, so I swing open the door excitedly, and the thick, earthy scent of incense surrounds me.
Not bothering to look at anything else in the store, I grab the necklace from its display.
It’s a citrine crystal that’s shaped like an anatomical heart on a simple chain.
I look at the tag attached to it. “Citrine holds the energy of the sun. Happiness, courage, hope.” It’s perfect.
I pay for it and am on my way as quickly as possible—a stupid smile plastered on my face the whole way home.
When I open the door, I’m blasted by the heavy weed smoke, a dense fog swirling through the room. A wicked saxophone solo plays through the speaker on the table, and I recognize the song immediately—“Just the Two of Us” by Grover Washington Jr.
And then I see Liam, leaned back on the couch, legs spread wide, head tilted back.
His jaw looks sharper than ever that way.
All his deep brown skin stretched over toned muscles.
My footsteps come to a halt as I map him from head to toe with my eyes.
I swear they could burn through his skin with how I’m feeling right now from just the sight of him alone.
He’s just so fucking beautiful in every way; my brain turns to mush around him, all logical thought flying out the window.
He opens his eyes slightly; he’s either exhausted from work or incredibly stoned. “Come here, angel.”
“I got you something.” My voice is weak and breathy.
For fuck’s sake, Teddy. Get a grip. I take the few steps toward him, pulse thrumming endlessly.
I don’t understand why I’m so nervous, it’s just a gift.
I kneel down on the floor between his legs and rest my head on one of his strong thighs, sighing as I inhale him.
Comfort washes over me the second I feel his skin against mine.
His hand moves into my hair, running through my curls and resting on the back of it possessively, my mind going hazy and soft around the edges.
“You gonna show me?” he asks and I look up.
He’s gazing down at me with a smile I only ever get to see.
I peel myself from him regretfully and grab the little brown box from my backpack.
His knees close in against my shoulders when he leans forward, and his long hair falls around his face as he peers down at me.
He opens the box, and my breath dies in my throat.
I can see the flicker and slight widening of his eyes when he sees it.
His Adam’s apple bobs as he removes it from the box.
“It’s Citrine,” I murmur. “Supposed to be for hope and happiness… it holds the energy of the sun. It’s also supposed to bring abundance and prosperity. That’s what they say anyway.” The words tumble from my throat in a frantic rush. I pull at my fingers on my lap anxiously.
He meets my eyes and the intensity in his dark gaze claws at my insides. “Did I ever tell you why I call you my golden angel? I don’t think I have,” he says. I shake my head.
He clears his throat. “In my head, you’re like sunshine.
Just this beacon of light that no one can help being drawn to.
You’re warmth and kindness and laughter.
It’s intoxicating. For someone like me who always feels dull, you’re like a miracle—the way you’ve always made me feel so much when nothing else does.
Nothing or no one even stands a chance in comparison. You shine too bright.”
If I thought my brain was mush before, it’s apparently nonexistent now. My chin trembles, and his face turns blurry as tears fill my eyes. I never knew… I didn’t realize.
“It’s such a perfect fucking gift, angel. You couldn’t have picked anything better than this. I’ll never take it off.”
I blink up at him and let the tears cascade down my face. “G-good,” I stutter.
He grabs my face with both hands and wipes at my tears with his thumbs. Not gently, as if I’m fragile or weak like I’ve always felt. No. He handles me firmly and it’s the grounding touch I need.
“Put it on me,” he commands, and I move into action. I rise to my knees, and he gathers his dreads in one hand, a few escaping around the front. I reach around and clasp it behind his neck, and the heart rests right above his new tattoo.
A devilish smirk cuts across his face as he looks down at it. “To think you ever tried to get away from me.” He chuckles. “You’re not going any-fucking-where, T.” A shiver wracks my body at the finality of his words.
“On the fucking bed. Now.”