Save Me From Myself (15 page)

We sit on her couch, neither of us saying anything. I’m just glad she’s okay. That she’s safe, and my arms are the ones holding her. I can’t even think about what could have happened to her if I hadn’t shown up tonight to talk to her.

We continue to sit like this until her breathing becomes deep and even, and she completely relaxes against me. Luckily, when I was here the last time, she pointed out which door was Anna’s, so I know where her room is.

I stand up carefully with her still cradled in my arms hoping she doesn’t wake up. We’re fine until we get to her bedroom door where I have to do some creative maneuvering to open the door without dropping her. When I finally get the door open, Lyric sighs and shifts against me, but stays asleep. I’ve never been inside her room, but it’s not what I would see her picking for herself.

Lyric is the girl who is more comfortable in a t-shirt and jeans than frills and lace. Her room looks like purple, pink and lime green exploded inside it. It’s more the type of room SB would have, so Anna must have been in charge of decorating.

Pulling her comforter down, I lay her on the bed. She’s still fully dressed, but there’s no way I’m undressing her, and Anna isn’t home yet, so I only pull off her shoes and pull up the blanket. I lean over to press a kiss to her lips and her eyes open. I’m struck by the sadness lingering in her eyes, and what she says next makes my chest tighten.

“Please don’t leave,” she whispers. Her voice is barely audible, and when I hesitate she hurriedly says, “Never mind. I’ll be okay. You don’t have to stay.”

Her softly spoken words make the decision for me, and as I slip my shoes and socks off, I grin at her, “Darlin', if you want me here, I’m not going anywhere.” The way she relaxes into the bed tells me staying is the right decision.

I shuck my jeans off, and pull my t-shirt over my head while she takes off her jeans and bra leaving her in just her shirt and panties. She scoots to the other side of the bed, and I slip in beside her.

Once we’re both on our sides, her facing away from me, I slip one arm under her pillows and put my other arm around her waist. I pull her against me and kiss the top of her head, “Sleep baby. I’ve got you.”

Lyric sighs and scoots closer to me and I groan inwardly, because if she doesn’t lay still, I won’t be getting any sleep tonight.

When I wake up, it takes me a few minutes to realize that I’m not alone. David’s arm is wrapped around me, just underneath my breasts, and his body is right up against my back. His entire body, including the impressive erection poking my bottom. He’s still asleep, and I’m remembering what he did for me last night. David was amazing. He took care of me; he stood up to Matt for me, and he listened while I told him everything without judging me for what happened. Looking back, I don’t know why I was so worried. He’s not anything like Matt, and I should have known he wouldn’t do that to me. I had no reason to run from him.

The arm around my waist tightens, and his voice is suddenly in my ear, “Mornin’. How are you feeling, darlin'?” his gravelly voice combined with his breath against my neck makes me shiver, and he groans.

“Fine,” I reply breathlessly, and he turns me to my back, still against me. He looks so tired still, and he’s looking down at me with soft, earnest eyes.

“Honestly? I need to know where your head is Lyric.”

“Yes, honestly. I really am fine. Better than fine.” I reassure him and bring my lips to his. He kisses me softly, and then pulls back to search my eyes.

“What are you up to?” He sounds suspicious, like he’s not sure what I’m doing. I shrug while running my hand up and down his bare chest, making him sigh. I’ve never seen him without his shirt, and it’s a delectable sight. His stretched t-shirts don’t hide much; his chest is broad with just a light smattering of chest hair, and his abdomen is very nice. Hello, six pack! His skin feels warm beneath my hand, and I can’t help but lift my head to place a kiss on it.

David inhales sharply and cupping the back of my neck, tips my head back to look at me. He looks into my eyes for a few minutes before bringing his mouth to mine. My hands move up to grip his shoulders as his tongue slips into my mouth. I have about half a second to worry about the possibility of morning breath before the kiss heats up, and my only thoughts are of David and the feel of him against me.

I tighten my grip on his shoulders, trying to move him closer to me. He obliges by moving on top of me putting him right between my legs, causing me to gasp. I’m suddenly aware that he’s wearing only his boxer briefs, and I’m just in my t-shirt and panties. He pulls back to study me, and he must see my approval, because he lowers his mouth back to mine. He then trails kisses along my jaw and down to my neck while running a hand down my side to my waist. I arch my back which brings my core flush against his erection causing us both to groan. It feels so good that I do it again.

David’s grip on my waist tightens, and he lifts his head. “As much as I’d like to continue this darlin', I can’t this morning.”

“Oh.” Maybe it’s silly, but it feels like he’s rejecting me and after last night, it stings badly. I feel the tears gathering in my eyes, and try to turn my head so that he doesn’t see.

He grips my chin, making me look at him. “I’m not saying no Lyric, I’m just saying not right now. You need some time to process everything that happened last night. The last thing I want is for things to go further, and you regret it later.”

“I won’t,” I tell him confidently, and he smiles.

“I’m glad to hear it, but maybe we can pick this up later. Are you and Anna coming to the bar tonight?” I nod, and he continues, “Good, bring a bag with you. You can stay with me tonight, okay?”

Am I ready for this? For spending the night with him, doing something other than sleep? Definitely. “Okay,” I reply with a smile.

His eyes are heated and the grin he gives me promises all sorts of dirty things to come. “Good, now let me up woman; I’m hungry.”

Giggling, I release his shoulders, and he kisses me quickly before getting out of bed.

***

Anna must have been waiting for David to leave this morning, because as soon as I close the door behind him she’s running out of my bedroom. “Lyric!!! David spent the night?!?” she screeches, “Was it good? Please,
please
, tell me it was good!”

I smile thinking about this morning and say, “We just slept, Anna. That’s it.”

She pouts, and I can’t help but laugh. She wouldn’t be acting this way if she knew everything that happened last night while she was out. That thought sobers me. She must see it on my face, because now, instead of her phony pout, she’s looking concerned.

“Matt was here last night,” I inform her, figuring it’s best to just get telling her over with. I know she’s going to flip out.

The way her eyes bug out is almost comical, but I’m too preoccupied with thoughts about David to really appreciate it. She doesn’t waste any time grilling me about Matt’s visit. “What do you mean
Matt
showed up last night? What happened?”

“Matt acted like Matt. He figured that by him showing up here, I’d leave and go back with him. That I’d take him back and everything would be great.”

“What an asshole!” Anna actually stomps her foot as she says this. “So, if Matt was here, how does David figure in?”

This is where she’s going to lose it. “David showed up last night to I guess try to find out what was going on with me. Why I was acting weird at lunch. But, Matt was here and he decided to show his ass.”

“What happened? Jeez Lyr, get to the point already!” She’s glaring at me, and I roll my eyes at her.

“He told David about the baby, how it was my fault I lost it, and how I’m so ‘cold’ in bed, he had to go find someone else to satisfy him.” Just saying the words makes me wants to cry again. I was so humiliated by the things he said.

“Oh honey,” Anna says before wrapping her arms around me, “you know none of that’s true right? He’s just blaming you so that he feels better.”

I nod, “I know, but it doesn’t make it easier to hear. Anyway, David got pissed that Matt was making me cry and ended up punching him before kicking him out.” That memory makes me smile. I’ve never had
anyone
stand up for me that way before. It was downright amazing!

“Good for him! I knew I liked David! So, after all of that, how’d you end up with him leaving here this morning?” Anna’s grinning knowingly at me.

“He held me until I fell asleep, then put me to bed. I asked him to say, so he did. End of story.” At least, end of the parts she needs to know about.

“Uh-huh. So there was
no
sexy-times?” My blush must give me away because she crows, “I knew it! I
knew
there were sexy-times!”

I sigh, “Not really. Just a little kissing. I tried to take it further, but he turned me down saying I needed to be sure. He said last night was pretty emotional and he wanted me to be certain this is what I wanted.”

Anna gapes at me, “Jesus, he IS perfect isn’t he? He was in bed, with you, both of you wearing less clothes than normal, and he was able to put the brakes on? Does he have a brother? Or a clone?”

I can’t help but laugh, even as I say, “Either he’s perfect or he’s not that attracted to me.”

“What the hell ever Lyric. The man can’t keep his eyes, or his hands, off of you whenever you’re together. Trust me, he wants you. He wants you
bad
!”

That actually makes me feel better, but I don’t say anything else. There’s nothing really to say to that. But, Anna’s not done talking evidently because the next words out of her mouth are, “So, when are you seeing him again?”

“Tonight. He asked if we were going to Drench and I said yes.” I pause for a moment before continuing, “He told me to bring a bag so that I can stay at his house tonight.”

Now Anna’s bouncing up and down she’s so excited. “Oh my GOD Lyr! You’re totally having sex tonight! With Hottie Bartender no less! I’m so fucking jealous. At least we bought you some sexy lingerie!”

Giggling, I head back to my room so that I can take a shower. I need to call and talk to my mother about telling Matt where to find me, and I want to get that over with as soon as possible so that I can get ready for tonight. I don’t want her to ruin how happy I am, but she needs to know that this kind of thing is NOT okay!

***

I was so confident about calling my mother earlier this morning, but now that it’s time to actually do it, I’m so nervous I can’t stand it. I’m not even sure what to say to her anymore. If I tell her that what she did was wrong, she’ll just tell me how it was the “right thing to do” which will just tick me off even more. Before I can obsess over it anymore, my phone rings and the choice is taken away from me because she’s calling me. Great. That means Matt called her and she’s calling to tell me how I should have taken him back.

I answer the phone with a terse, “Hello, mother.”

“Lyric Faith Hayes!” she screeches, causing me to pull my phone away from my ear. “What in God’s name are you doing? Matthew just called me. He had to go to the
hospital
last night thanks to that thug you had in your house.”

Thug? She can’t be serious. “David’s not a thug mom. He was protecting me from Matt.”

“Protecting you? Why would you need protection from your fiancé?” she asks incredulously.

Did the last six months not happen? What the hell? “Mom, Matt isn’t my fiancé. He hasn’t been my fiancé for over six months. We broke up, remember? He cheated on me for
months
. Jesus, we’ve been over this!”

“Don’t take that tone with me Lyric. Matthew’s family is the kind that we need to be associated with. Not this hoodlum in Nashville. He
hit
Matthew! You can’t condone that kind of behavior, dear. If you let it go, he’ll graduate to hitting you soon.”

She did NOT just go there! “Mom! He hit Matt because he was being an asshole! He was saying horrible, hateful things to me. I was
crying
! Do you care about that at all?”

My mom sighs, “Yes Lyric, of course I care. But, you can’t just give up a three year relationship because he hurt your feelings.”

“Hurt my feelings? Mom! He
cheated
on me! Did you miss that part? He did it for months! For all I know, he could have been doing it for longer than that! I don’t care what his reasoning was, cheating is never an okay thing to do. I’m sorry if it ruins your plans, but we are absolutely NOT getting back together. I can’t trust him, and I refuse to marry someone I can’t trust. Please, can’t you give David a chance? You’ve never even met him. Hell, you’ve never even talked to him.” I know I’m pleading with her at this point, but I just want her to understand. I want her to pick me, just once. I want her to pick me over political or social standing. But, of course, she does what she always does. She thinks about herself and Edward first, and everyone else last.