Heart Of Obsidian *COMPLETED*

Chapter 31

*ATTICUS*

I left my aunt Silvia's around 11:30 pm. I wanted to be with Myles before New Years Day arrived. I finally saw a glint of happiness in my mom's eyes. Kyler spent it with his mother which he didn't want to but he didn't have a choice. She yelled at him that he was an ungrateful son for not wanting to spend time with her. I convinced him to go with her but not before I said told her what I felt about how she treated him. She huffed and didn't say a word to me.

Mark had come back home but not before I told him a word or two. I told him if he ever lays a hand on Kyler or even my mom. I'll be the one doing jail time and he'll be in the grave. When my mom married Mark, I never hated him. I wanted a father figure, my dad would travel a lot so I rarely saw him. At first, he was ok, we would watch football together and even workout together but years passed and he changed into a different man. He drank compulsively and cussed us out all the time, it was a toxic environment and it kept getting worse until this incident happened with Kyler.

Mark has turned down the notch just a bit but he still drinks but when he starts getting out of control he leaves and spends the night at one of his buddies. Even my mom has grown a backbone with him, I've even seen her slap him. It was a delight to witness that.

My phone vibrated as I checked the text from Myles at the stoplight.

"Are you close, babe?"

I couldn't help but smile when he calls me babe. I'm so glad he's open up so much to me. He laughs so much more and his eyes are always full of light. Ever since he met Nathaniel, his dark aura has shattered and now I see the real Myles, not the one masked in darkness.

"Yeah, I'm at the stoplight. There is a bit of traffic but I'm like 5 minutes away. I'll be there, babe."

Our relationship was very discreet and I know he dislikes it but I told him my reasons. He just turns the other way and changes the subject. I know he likes affection at all times but after my last conversation with Stephan. I didn't want to be struggling with my career or worrying if any team would want me if I came out of the closet. I know I'm being a coward and I know Myles doesn't deserve this but the truth is I don't know what the hell to do. And to make things worst this was my last semester and I'm done with school. Stephan wants to meet in a couple of days because he found a couple of teams that want me. I know if it's out of state I would have to move and that brings me to Myles. My hurt broke just thinking about leaving him but I don't want to think of that right now. I want to bring in the New Year with him without pain and struggle.

I finally parking in front of Myles's house as I knocked on the door. I heard footsteps as the door opened quickly. Myles just threw himself on me as I gripped his waist. "Missed me," I teased as I pecked him on the bottom of his lip.

"You have no idea," his smile made my stomach twirl with happiness. He pulled me inside the house.

The countdown started as his mom and dad were in front of the television. They glanced at me and smiled.

"7–6–5–4–3–2–1 Happy New Year!"

The news reporter yelled on the television screen as I turned to Myles. He wrapped his hands over my neck as we lost ourselves in our passionate kiss.

"Atticus — I hmm," he pulled away as his words stuttered. His blue eyes blazed as I saw a small smile form on the corner of his mouth.

"Yeah," I gazed at him intensely. My heart thumped inside the cavity of my chest.

"Say it, babe," I insisted. I knew what he wanted to say and I felt this as well.

"I love you," his words were like a shooting star as it collided with me.