Chapter 51
1605words
I carried Scarlett over to my family lake house; thankfully, it was close to the little dock and took less than seven minutes to walk. Once we arrived, I placed Scar on the porch swing and searched the plant pots for the spare key. Finding it on my fourth attempt. Bing. The lakehouse was much smaller than our home in town, acting more as a small cabin than an actual house. But it still felt like a home away from home to me. Still, it had been years since we had been here.
I inserted the key into the lock, leaving the door open while I got to retrieve Scarlett. The air was a little musky from being unused for so long, but it was thankfully cleaned weekly by the lakes maids. I kicked the door closed behind us and carried Scar the remaining way into the southernmost room, my room. Or it was when we used to stay here every summer. Gently I lay her onto the double bed, making sure to grab the bottle of whisky from her grasp. I pulled off her shoes, wrapping her up in the blanks, putting a bottle of water on the bedside and a bowl on the floor, just in case.
Finally, I went to leave when Scarlett reached out and caught my wrist. “Stay,” She whispered, her voice small. I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck.
“Are you going to hate me tomorrow if I stay?” I consider. I wanted nothing more than to be cuddled up to her right now, protecting and watching over her as she slept. Maybe it wasn’t the right thing to do after everything she had been through and after she had consumed half a bottle of whisky. But it wasn’t as if I would let anything happen.
“Stay,” She repeated, her eyes begging like she was afraid to be alone. I couldn’t say no to that face; I never wanted to say no to her. So I kicked off my shoes and sank into the bed beside her. She practically moaned at my warmth as she buried her head in my chest, her legs entwining with mine, hands snaking up my tee, making me suck in a breath. “Easy,” I groan through clenched teeth, making her giggled as she snuggled closer to me. We lay like that for a few moments. In complete silence, my hands stroking through her wet curls. I was surprised Scarlett wanted me here; only a few hours ago, she had told me not to touch her. To stay away from her because we were done.
“Thank you,” She breathed like she didn’t want me to hear her. “I needed you,” my heart fluttered hearing her say those words. I press a kiss to her hair.
“I need you too,” I whisper back. I peer down at her, but Scarlett was already out cold. Her mouth was slightly open, breathing slow and evenly. I smiled at her, unable to reframe from admiring her sleeping form. She was so beautiful, so fragile. Without waking her, I pulled my phone out of my pocket, making sure to tilt the screen away so I wouldn’t wake her with the light. I texted both Adam and Asher.
Me too, Adam.
Hey Ads. I found Scar, passed out drunk by the lake. She didn’t want to go home, so we crashed at the lakehouse. She’s safe. Talk tomorrow. X
Me to Asher
Scar is safe. You’re welcome.
I know I should be such a dick to Asher, he had only been concerned about Scarlett, and he wasn’t wrong. I had fucked up a lot. But I was determined to change that, and I didn’t want him or anyone else to come between that. I had set my heart on her where she knew it or not; I was going to make her mine. I placed my phone on the bedside table and closed my eyes. I was feeling happier with Scarlett in my arms than I had done all week without her.
(Scarlett)
I woke up with a headache from fucking hell. Everything was too loud, too bright. My throat felt dryer than sandpaper, and my stomach felt like it was doing flips. It was by far the worst hangover of my life. I was never touching alcohol ever again and never leaving this bed again. I was going to die here. I groaned, flipping onto my side, cracking one eye slightly open. Water! I almost moaned as the cool liquid touched my lips. I drank half the bottle without taking a breath. I take the painkiller, thanking God for the mercy of Medicine.
I finally became very aware I wasn’t in my room. The walls were painted blue, with band posters all over them, black sheets. Guitar, skateboard, and a sighed football jersey were displayed around the room. I didn’t recognise my surroundings. Shit. I peer down at myself, but I am still fully clothed. Well, kind of...I was wearing an oversized pullover hoodie and little pyjama shorts. It could be worse; I could have been naked...How the hell did I get here? I try to recall the night before.
I remembered going to school, Asher taking me to and from my classes and sitting with him at lunch then...Loki. We had kissed in the bathroom. Well, he had kissed me, and I hadn’t pulled away. I had wanted him, almost had him in the middle of the school bathroom during lunch break. Shit. But Asher had interrupted...I had left. Then I had visited Storm after school... She was doing well, attending meetings and was on new medication. She was expected to be out of hospital if everything went well in the next two weeks. Storm and Karen had tried to speak to me about Loki, but I had quickly change the subject. I remember coming home. Speaking to Adam on the phone, he had been at football practice, then band practise straight after, so I wasn’t expecting to be home till late. I had read, though my head had been on other things. Then I had tried to sleep... It was fuzzy, but...I remembered hands. The scent of strong liquor and cheap cigarettes...John.
I was going to be sick. I grab the bowl on the floor, causing my head to throb in pain. As soon as it was in my hands, I hurled. My body trembling, a cold sweat breaking out over my skin. I could feel his hands on me. I vomited, tears pouring down my cheeks. Everything is okay, I tell myself. I focus on my breathing, my eyes closed. In though my nose, out through my mouth. Over and over again. I retch again. Breath.
When it seemed I was done puking up whatever alcohol I had consumed last night; I placed the bowl on the bedside table. Eased myself back ageist the bed frame. Pressing my hands to the chilled wooden frame, till they turn white. Real. This was real. I was safe here. I was free of him.
But where was here? The bedroom door creaks open; I squeal in panic. I scrambled over to the other side of the bed, grabbing the first thing I could get my hands on, preparing to lunch it, fighting through the pain in my head. Then, tossed black hair and black eyes appear in the doorway.
“Morning, Beautiful,” Loki smirked in amusement, two mugs of steaming liquid in his hand. I sigh in relief, lowing my hand and slump back onto the bed.
“You scared the crap out of me,” I mumble, resting my head back on the bed frame. The pain in my head was feeling even worse than it had before. But despite myself, I couldn’t help admire his body. It made me feel slightly better having something good to look at.
“How you feeling,” He asked, handing me a mug. I sniff it wearily before taking a large sip. Sweet fruit tea.
“Like I been fucked in the head by a giant with an anger problem,” I groan. Causing Loki to chuckle, he propped himself on the edge of the bed. Further away than necessary. “What happened?” I wonder. The last time I remembered seen Loki, I had been making out with him in the bathroom. We hadn’t exactly left on good terms.
“Well...Erm...” He hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. Did he know? No. That was impossible. Right? “You ran away last night after...Adam came over to mine looking for you. But you were not there, so we went looking for you. You were passed out drunk by the dock, I tried to take you home, but you didn’t want to go home. So we ended up here,” Loki explained.
“Where is here?” I inquire, peering around the room. Of course, now that he was here, the room made a lot more scene, football guitars. But Loki had stopped skating over a year ago now, and the posters seemed a little outdated too.
“The Lake House. I suppose you don’t recognise my old room. You never came in here,” Loki beamed. I nod, regretting the movement instantly as I wince in pain. We didn’t say anything for a few moments. The silence between us felt comfortable; both lost in our own, though. Or, in my case, in self-pity. I finished my cup of tea and peered back at Loki. He looked deep in thought. My stomach growled loudly, pulling him back to reality. “Breakfast?” Loki offered, bemused.
“Please,” I say a little too quickly, my cheeks heating with embarrassment.
