'Till There Was You

Chapter Eleven: Honeyboy

We didn't get a puppy. We got lunch with Kat, Mikey's parents, the boys, and Luke's mum. I felt lighter in a way, being surrounded by love like this. I'm not safe though, and the fear is clawing its way up my throat.

"They're keeping her in the hospital for the time being. They have one officer guarding it, and that's all."

Michael wasn't at all pleased to know that all that stood between me and the barrel of my mother's loaded gun was a single officer and some doctors. It was better than nothing, and I'd be safe enough with her not knowing how to find me.

I'll be living out of Michael's guest room, him and Daryl helped carry my suitcases in after lunch. It's going to be a long trial, or at least Jack assumed it will be. I unpacked a few things so they wouldn't wrinkle, but I don't want to feel too at home here. I don't want to get used to the feeling of parents, or the warmth of Michael, knowing I'll be losing it. It's not that Kat isn't enough, she's provided me as much love and warmth as she can. I carry buckets of guilt around knowing what she gave up for me. She's still young, single, and successful, and she gave up every ounce of free time to her teenage niece.

Nightfall descended on our first day too quickly. I wasn't ready for another day, not when I'm laying in Michael's bed with him watching movies. It's safe, and warm and I don't ever want to leave. I'm in only his T-shirt that falls to my knees and my own underwear. My top half pressed against him snuggly, knowing he feels the bareness of it all through the thin fabric. Our legs are a tangled mess of hot skin on skin, something we both desperately needed. I needed to feel him, and he just needed to feel something. He's seemed sad, there's something different and I can only assume it's the residual heartbreak from Kels.

But it's late, past midnight, and there's court tomorrow again. He'd passed out at some point during the film already, and was breathing steadily into my neck. I peeled his arm off my waist and turned the movie off with a click of the remote. It was pitch black, and I tried to wiggle off of the bed silently. I'm not cut out to be a spy though, and I hit the floor with a soft thump.

"Don't go." I heard him mumble, his voice heavy with sleep.

I silently cursed myself for being too uncoordinated to land quietly.

"You're tired Michael. We both need to get sleep so I have to go to bed." I whispered into the darkness, only able to see his silhouette.

"Stay here. Sleep here... can't protect you when you're down the hall." He mumbled, and I felt my stomach flip.

"But your parents..." I whispered back. I'm not here to have them think I'm sleeping with him in ways that aren't innocent. I couldn't imagine Karen bursting in and assuming we did the dirty. I'm blushing bright red in the dark just thinking about it.

"They don't care, I promise. Seriously, get back over here it's too cold without you." His voice was clearer and I knew he's more awake now.

I gave in and walked slowly back to the bed, only hitting my knee once on the frame. It hurt like hell, and I let out a small yelp from the pain.

As soon as I hit the mattress he pulled me back against his chest. He let out a content sigh, and I couldn't help but do the same.

"Much better. I missed you so much Jos." He whispered.

"I missed you way too much." I responded, sighing out as guilt brewed within my heart for hurting him.

"You're here now, that's what matters. I'm just happy to have my Josy back. Get some sleep, cause tomorrow's another big day yea? G'night Josy, I love you."

I don't want to sleep, because I want to listen to those three words fall from his lips all night. I know how he means it, he loves me as his best friend.