AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I roll my eyes but then feel even more guilty. She’s just trying her best to help me in any way she can, and I kept this from her. Then again, Aimee is the most insufferable person anyone could meet, always pushing me to tell her everything about anything. She needs all the details and all the dramatics of anyone's story. I’m just trying to keep some part of me and Tyr to myself, but that never lasts long. I can’t keep things from my best friend.
Even though Aimee has a huge extended family, it was just her and her parents growing up. On her eighteenth birthday, during our senior year of high school, we were at the movie theater when she received that dreadful call. Her parents had been on their way home from getting supplies for Aimee’s party. Her extended family was always big on extravagant parties for holidays and birthdays, so Aimee’s parents felt the need to provide an elaborate eighteenth birthday party for her. They were in an accident on their way home.
Rushing to the hospital mid-movie, we found out that her parents didn't make it. Ever since that day, she has wanted to know everything that I did and who I did it with. I know she’s been lonely without them and just needs someone close to her.
Aimee's extended family still tries to come around, but they don’t really invite her to functions anymore. We think it’s because her relatives felt guilty about the crash and blamed themselves for the ludicrous turn of events.
Bringing my musings back to the moment, I inhale.
"Yes, we went on a real date. It was super cliché. Tyr took me to a fancy restaurant, bought me flowers, and gazed into my eyes the whole time we ate. He didn't talk much, and neither did I, but the thought was sweet. He walked me to my parents’ door, kissed me, and left. It was all very gentleman-like. I’m sorry I didn’t say anything sooner," I explain.
"Awe, he seems so perfect! So why don't you just move in with him? Stop being a penis and be with the man who is obviously crazy about you. And your mom texted me that you left right after I did, so I already knew you went somewhere without me." The hurt in her eyes speaks volumes. She grabs the remote, pressing play on another movie, even though we haven’t discussed which one to watch next. She knows I’m uncomfortable with awkward silence now since I left the island. Background noise is a need, not a want.
Rolling my eyes, I purposely ignore her response to my apology. "That's why I'm going over there tomorrow evening. I think we need to talk about the future. You know, what he wants, how we can move on, and how to keep going or whatever."
"Yeah, you need to know what to expect. The man loves you, and you're falling for him. You need to know what he's looking for. Oh, and maybe get railed again, in whatever room you want. Preferably with a bed this time? I can only imagine how you felt after doing the dirty on the roof. Sounds uncomfortable." Aimee giggles as I swat her arm, causing her to drop the last bit of popcorn she’s holding onto the floor. We both break out in a belly laugh.
I feel safe here.
If things could just stay like this, I will eventually get back to normal…pfft, maybe.
As I stand on the front porch, I can’t help but take the scenery all in. It’s stunning. The neighborhood’s quaint, like it’s been filled with retired elderly couples or upper-class divorced soccer moms, possibly both. I have no idea how Tyr had managed to get a house here. It’s obviously pricey, but I don’t read into it too much because things aren't always as they appear.
The duplex itself appears short and dark at first glance. As I get closer, I realize the building is taller than it seemed. The garage is hidden from the street view due to the driveway. It’s angled downwards so the cars can be parked in the garage underneath the building, elongating the facade. There are several sparkling windows on the front, but they all seem to do a better job of keeping people from seeing inside than anything else. The landscape is bright and cheery, making the dark-colored house stand out against it. There are flowers and bushes dressed in vibrant colors welcoming visitors to the steps that lead to the front doors. A large, beautiful pool makes up the landscape for the backyard, from what I can see. It will be perfect for taking a dip when the Florida weather gets too stifling.
I mentally reach for confidence, grabbing my necklace and rubbing it. I hold the key pendant between my thumb and pointer finger, moving it gently from side to side against its chain. The sound of it clicking against each link makes oxytocin and serotonin rush in my body.
Before I can knock, the door promptly opens.
"Hey. It's about time you showed up." He gives me his signature smirk, and I can't keep my grin from forming in return. Seeing his shaggy black hair and those blue eyes always takes me to a place of comfort. I instantly feel more relaxed than I have in weeks. I just want to run my fingernails against his scalp.
"Hey. I’m assuming you were watching me out of your window? And I'm sorry I haven't come over until now, but we should talk." I glance down at my feet. Why am I acting so shy with him? I mean, I’m always slightly nervous around people, but it’s Tyr. Then again, I don’t actually know much about him.
Instead of answering, he grabs my hand and pulls me inside. Our fingers tangle together instantly like we haven't been separated since the hospital. I slip my shoes off by his front door, leaving them on the entryway mat.
Leading me by the hand, he walks me to his leather armchair and sits down. Pulling just slightly, he ushers silently for me to sit on his lap. As much as I thought this entire ordeal would be uncomfortable, it’s the exact opposite. Our bodies fit together like puzzle pieces. I curl into his chest and calm myself for the first time since we’ve been parted. I can do this. I can get used to this. Can’t I?
Tyr is my shelter, my haven. Throughout all the dark times in the mansion, he was by my side. He held my hand and worshiped my body until I felt like a goddess. He was the only person I thought of every time my eyes closed at night when I would lay my jet-black hair on my pillow. And yet, inner-me is terrified. Well, not of him, but my feelings for him. How many good things come from a relationship built on trauma?
My lids close gradually. With my head tucked under his chin, his thumb swirls a pattern onto my back just below my bra line. With each circle, I can feel my terror and anxiety ebb away.
"Oh, my beautiful Nova." Tyr whispers in hushed tones just above my head. "I'm just glad you're here. I've been worried that something more happened since the last time we saw each other. I want you to take all the time in the world to make a decision about us, but not communicating with me about it is going to kill us. It's been such a struggle without you. All I've wanted to do is hunt you down and never let you go. I’ve tried reaching out since our first real date, but you haven’t replied. If it wasn’t for seeing that you had read my messages, I would have driven over to your house. Tell me, what's going on in that magnificent imagination of yours?" His chest vibrates soothingly underneath my head as he speaks.
I remain quiet. How can I explain to him that all my worries aren't just of him, but also of myself? It has always been just me, my parents, and Aimee. How did I let this man into every corner of my mind and my pants? How could we move in together and try to forget the things that happened to us those six months? I can’t tell him these things. I can’t tell him about all the deep thoughts circling my mind.
"I'm scared. I'm scared that we’re moving too fast. Being in that place, I was a different person. I wanted to forget. I needed structure. I needed you, but now, I…" Taking a steadying breath, I pull back to look at him. "I don't know what I want. I don't know what we're doing. What do you want from me, Tyr? I have nothing to give you."
Those sad eyes that I saw in my room on all those terrifying nights look at me again. He understands more than anyone in the world what I’m thinking and what I’ve been through.
"Oh, Nova. I just want you. I don't care what happens next. I don't care if we are damaged and crazy. Again, I just want you. I want all of you. I am here solely for you, from your gray eyes to your petite little toes." He kisses my forehead so softly that I almost don't feel his lips. "Stay with me tonight. Let me remind you who we could be. Let me show you what you can't see yet."
"Okay…show me."
Hot Nights
The moment the words are out of my mouth, Tyr cups my chin and presses his lips against mine. My body is burning with the need to be touched and ravished by this man. My mind is a dizzy mess, and the emptiness between my thighs has a mind of its own. He stands, scoops me up, and walks me through the house.
His lips are softer than I remembered. Now that we can drink and eat normally, neither of us look malnourished. Tyr carries me bridal style to his lavish room. Once there, he drops me to the bed.
