The Secrets That Free Us

Chapter 24

My body and mind are numb by the time we've walked back to my house.

Hunter's hoodie is the only thing that has stopped hypothermia from setting in I think.

After he held me for a while he talked me into coming home, now that we're here though I don't think I want him to leave.

We linger at the front door for a moment and I try to think of the best way to ask him not to leave. I don't want him to think I'm so needy that I can't look after myself for one night, or that he should feel obliged to stay with me. I'm such a burden on his life already I can't ask him to stay with me too. I bet if I wasn't around Hunter's life would be so much easier, he would probably also have some perfect girlfriend too but here I am constantly getting in the way.

I shake my thoughts from my head, I'm a big girl, I can sleep in a house by myself for a few hours.

I unlock the front door, "Well, sorry about tonight and thank you." I try to give him a small reassuring smile as I step through the front door.

He smiles back but it doesn't reach his eyes. I shut the front door and lean back against it.

Just as I take a deep breath and step away from the door there is a small knock, I open it and see Hunter raking his hand through his hair. I look at him expectantly then realize why he's here.

"Oh yeah, shit sorry." I grab the hem of his hoodie that is swallowing my body and begin to lift it before I feel his hands on mine.

"That's not why I knocked. You can keep the hoodie, looks better on you anyway."

"Okay? Thanks." I'm still confused as to why he is here then.

"Grace, can I stay tonight?" He rushes out and my eyebrows shoot up in surprise. "I don't like the thought of you being alone and no way would I be able to sleep if I left now. I'll sleep on the sofa or something if you want, just please let me stay." His eyes are pleading and I let out a sigh of relief.

I wrap my arms around his waist and bury my face into his hard chest, "I didn't want to ask you. I'm so glad you did." I mutter as he pulls me in even closer. "I will always be here when you need me, never be afraid to ask." The conviction in his voice shows me how much he means it.

He puts the heating on and then follows me upstairs. "You can stay in my room, I mean if you want. You don't have to. I don't want you to feel uncomfortable." I ramble on and mentally face palm myself for being a blubbering idiot.

He gives me a small smile and shakes his head at me before slipping off his trainers and climbing into my bed, under the covers. Coco lifts her head to see what the commotion is but when she sees Hunter she puts her head back down and makes herself comfortable again.

He pats the space beside him and I crawl in.

"You're still freezing, c'mere" He holds his long arms out and I waste no time in snuggling myself into the side of his body and resting my head on his chest.

I can feel the steady beat of his heart underneath my head, his arms are tight and secure around me and he tangles his legs with my own, no doubt in a bid to heat me up.

We lie in silence for a while before he speaks, "what were you doing out tonight Gracie?" His voice is light and cautious.

"I couldn't sleep. I've got new meds but they take a while to work and the side effects are horrendous to start with. I fell asleep for a while but the nightmares came thick and fast, I just..I had to get out."

He nods his head thoughtfully before answering, "I get that, but for fuck sake call me next time and I'll come with you. I can't bare the thought of anything happening to you."

I nod my head in agreement and bury my head further into Hunter's chest. He places a light kiss on my forehead and before I drift into the first peaceful sleep I've had in a long time I hear his voice, "I'm glad you let me stay with you tonight. Sweet dreams baby."