Chapter 11
1137 Words
"You shouldn't barge into my room like that." Willy is polite as ever but his tone is firm.
"And you shouldn't be holding her like that." Charlie counters heatedly.
"Why not? Because of whatever happened between you two last night? I don't care about that. Just get out of my room."
"You were kissing her, weren't you?" Charlie asks.
"What is it to you? Just mind your own business, okay? Get out of my room, Charlie."
"Stop chasing her." Charlie's voice is hard and cold as granite.
"What?"
"I had my eyes on her first. She's mine."
"She's not a piece of clothing to be owned by anyone. She'll never be yours. You can take that to the bank. I bet it'll earn plenty of interest."
"Bree, I'm sorry. What I did was a mistake and it won't happen again." Charlie's apology gets me completely by surprise. I didn't imagine him to be the apologetic type.
I don't even turn to look at him. I hide my face on Willy's chest and I relax when he wraps a protective arm around me.
Charlie mutters something like 'i***t' under his breath before he walks out, slamming the door shut behind him.
I exhale once is gone and Willy withdraws his touch.
"Are you okay?" He asks me, his forehead creased with concern.
"I guess I am. Just a little tired."
"It's way past midnight. You could use some sleep."
He pulls back the comforter before he dumps the extra pillows on the floor. I get into his bed, watching him as he pulls the covers over me.
"I'm sorry for being a bother."
"You're not a bother. I'll see you in the morning."
"Where are you going to sleep?"
He smiles at me.
"Don't worry about me. I'll be fine."
"Okay. Goodnight."
"Goodnight."
He switches off the lights and exits.
I roll over in the large bed. Yesterday's happenings flow in my mind and I feel numb and stupid. I've done things that I wasn't supposed to do at all.
I know for sure that kissing Charlie was a big mistake. That doesn't justify him attacking me but it was still wrong. I don't like him.
Harry on the other end is something else. He's a mean jerk when he's not soliciting tampons for me and saving me from his brother. I have no idea what to feel about him.
Willy. He's totally different from his brothers. He is sweet and caring and he's the one person I know for sure i can rely on. He knows that something happened between me and charlie last night but he appreciates me either way. Generally, I think he's a decent human.
My train of thoughts is interrupted when the door is opened very quietly and light from the hallway flows into the room. I sit up in bed, my mouth open and ready to scream. If that's Charlie..
"Hey, it's me ." Harry's voice stops me from my near yell.
"What do you want?!"
"Nothing." He says as he closes the door and fumbles in the darkness to switch on the bedside lamp.
He sits on the bed and I move as far from him as possible. Willy's bed is huge and that fact gives me an advantage.
Harry tugs off his shoes before he turns to look at me. The smugness that is always on his face is gone and for the first time, he looks like a regular human being; no attitude, no arrogance.
"Do you mind if I spend the night here?"
My mouth drops open.
"What?"
"I want to lie down for a while."
"Why?" I'm shaking my head while I ask that.
"I don't know. I can't sleep for some annoyingly unknown reason."
"And you think Willy's bed will make you sleep?"
"Maybe. I guess there's only one way to find out."
He pulls his shirt over his shoulders and tosses it on the floor. He tugs his jeans off and I start to close my eyes before I realize that he's wearing shorts underneath.
He looks at me then, and I note that the stupid grin he always has when he thinks that he's getting on my nerves is back.
"Why are you so scared of me, Bridget?"
"I'm not scared of you. I just don't want you to sleep here."
"Why not?"
"Do I need a reason?"
"You don't think I'm going to hurt you, do you?"
"I wouldn't know for sure. I didn't think Charlie could hurt me either."
"Bridget, part of my life is kinda going to s**t right now and I badly need someone. You do, too, and sleeping together might give us the company we both need right now."
"I don't need company."
"Yeah? You're still shaken from Charlie did to you. You'll be paranoid the entire night if you sleep alone. If I sleep here, you won't have a reason to be scared."
"Are you doing this for me or for you?"
"Does it matter?"
I look at him, and I note the raw sadness in his eyes. I wonder what really is going on in his private life.
Shrugging, I move to the very edge of the bed.
I'll give him the benefit of doubt and hope that he won't try to hurt me.
"Are you sure?"
I shake my head.
"Just do it before I change my mind."
He heaves his legs on the bed before he tugs at the comforter.
I cringe. I've never shared a bed with a man before.
I can't believe it's Harry who gets that medal.
"Can't we use different duvets or something?"
"If we do, then what's the point of sleeping together? "
"Don't say sleeping together!" I snap.
That only makes him burst out laughing.
He gets under the covers then he turns to face away from me. I heave a sigh of relief.
"Why can't you sleep in your room?" I ask quietly once he switches off the light. I'm just trying to kill the awkwardness by starting a conversation.
"Because I don't want to."
"Willy will be mad that you slept here."
"I don't care."
I try thinking of something, anything to make him leave. Do I even want him to leave? I guess he can sleep here as long he's not touching me.
"The party. Is it still on?"
"I have no idea, Bridget. I just don't care. I'm sleepy."
"I hope Lisa gets somewhere to sleep."
"Please stop talking. I'm trying to get some sleep!"
"Then go sleep in your room!"
He rolls over to face me.
"I don't want Charlie to come in here and finish what he started. That's why I'm here."
"Charlie wouldn't dare."
"You don't know him like I do. I'm not leaving you alone tonight. Come here."
He holds me by the waist then he pulls me close until my back is pressed against his torso. His body is hard and warm and his arm around my waist is comforting. He relaxes when I don't pull away and we both take deep breaths.
"Sleep well, Bridget." He says quietly, his voice heavy. I know he's about to fall asleep.
"It's Bree."
"Same thing."
I can feel the grin in his voice and I can't help but smile as I drift to sleep, his arm wound protectively around me.
- Writer
