Lovers of Yesterday

Chapter 18 • Unpacking

I carried my carefully wrapped bundle up to the apartment and slipped inside, making sure to lock the door behind me. I darted back to my room as if someone was going to catch me in my rebellious act.

Liam. Liam would catch me at some point. If he hasn't now, he will later. I'm just not sure how much later and how harsh the repercussions will be.

I dropped my ball of clothes onto the bed and quickly changed out of my current underwear to the lingerie set. I hesitated only a second when I realized that I'd be going to help Lynch after this but knew there would be no reason for him to see this. I yanked my jeans and t-shirt back on, instantly feeling secretive and a little sexy. Dria was right.

I hung my uniform up and checked to make sure I had my phone and keys before stepping back out of my apartment. I locked the door behind me and headed up to C21. I knocked on the door when I reached it and took a step back. It took a minute but the door was pulled open and Lynch was leaning against the frame.

His hair was damp and a few droplets of water fell from the tips. He now had on a pair of gray sweatpants and a plain black shirt. He pulled away and moved so I could step in. As I did so, I took in the empty yet not empty room.

Boxes were piled against the wall along with some pieces of furniture that haven't been arranged yet. The door shut behind me and I looked up at him. He stood next to me with his arms crossed over his chest. I looked past him and noticed a basket of fluffed and yet-to-be-folded clothes.

"Where would you like me to start?" I asked.

His apartment was essentially set up the same as mine, his was just other opposite. The short hallway that opened up to the bedrooms in my apartment was on the left while his was on the right. His kitchen was opposite the outside door like mine as well.

"It would be nice if you could work on the kitchen. It's been a couple days since I've been able to eat a meal instead of takeout," he suggested.

"Ok, where will you be if I need help?"

"I'll be back in my room setting up the bed frame. First door on the right."

"Ok, I'll go work on the kitchen." I left my position beside him and walked to the doorway I suspected led to the kitchen.

I heard muffled thuds on the carpet as Lynch headed back to his room to finish setting it up. I waited for them to disappear completely before I looked at what I would be working with. Several boxes lined the empty wall, all either large or small to hold all that he brought. I walked over to the stack and pulled one forward, testing its weight.

It was too heavy but I lifted it carefully and moved it over to the open counter space to open. A box cutter was sitting on the counter next to the refrigerator so I snatched it and slid in along the tape. The flaps lifted and I opened them further to see what he had in it.

Bowls and bagged silverware filled it. The bowls were separated by sheets of packing paper so they wouldn't chip or break during the move. Going based off how my kitchen is set up, I opened a cabinet and started stacking bowls on the first shelf. I tossed the paper onto the floor until I could pick them up and stuff them back into the box.

I left the bags of silverware at the back of the counter until I could hopefully get a divder and put them in a drawer. Once the box was empty and pushed of to the side, I pulled another box and set it in the previous box's place. This one was full of countertop stuff like a butcher block and a toaster. I pulled it off and set it in front of the fridge until all of the cabinet and drawer stuff was situated.

I pulled a couple more boxes that held pots and pans, glasses and cups, and serving dishes. They were all separated into their new homes and the boxes were dumped with the first. I didn't break any down because I wasn't sure what he would want to do with them.

There were only a few more boxes left including the one sitting in front of the fridge. I pulled the second-to-last one from against the wall and brought it over to the counter to unload it. Once the tape was cut, I pulled it open and looked at the contents to know where they needed to go.

It was plates. There was no reason for me to but I shut down when I saw them. Liam's angry face invaded my head as he yelled at me. I backed away from the box and kept backing away until I bumped into the wall. I wrapped my arms around my stomach as I stared blankly at the floor.

Another plate smashed in front of my feet and I winced yet again. Small shards flew in every direction including my bare ankles. I just stared down at the floor to avoid Liam's livid glare. He continued to yell and scream at me but I could no longer understand what he was saying. It wasn't muffled but the words bunched together until I couldn't understand them.

I don't even remember why he was angry. I just knew he was angry again. He had stopped throwing plates and now he was saying something but I still couldn't understand him. I just numbly nodded, staring down at the remnants of my plates. He stopped talking and turned around to leave. I heard the door slam shut a moment later but I continued to stay rooted to my spot.

A hand around my shoulders brought me out of my stupor, "Hey, I was calling your name for a minute. You ok, sweetheart?"

I looked up at Lynch and nodded. He frowned and his eyebrows drew down until they were knitted together, "You aren't gonna lie to me. Are you ok?"

I looked away and dropped my chin to my chest. He only gained a reaction out of me when he cupped an arm under my knees and lifted me up. Then, I squeaked and curled closer to him in fear of being dropped. I hadn't even realized I was sitting against the wall but I guess I slid down at some point.

He carried me out of the kitchen and down the hall to his room. He set me down on his now-made bed and stood over me with his arms crossed. He studied my face for an eternity, mainly focusing on the bruise forming on my cheek. He didn't move until he was done scrutinizing me. When he did, he only dropped his arms to his sides and tucked his hands in his pockets.

"Wh...Is everything ok?" I asked carefully, now nervous that I made him mad too.

He shook his head, "No, I don't appreciate that you're lying to me about your wellbeing."

"I promise I'm ok," I urged, wanting him to accept my answer.

"Don't promise something if you know it isn't true."

"But it is."

"No it isn't, Ryder. The look on your face tells me so."

I tried to subtly change my expression then. When his unimpressed stare didn't change, I gave up trying. Instead I settled forth more immature response. I crossed my arms over my stomach and refused to answer. He shouldn't need to worry about whether I'm ok or not.

With a sigh, he seemingly dropped it. He pulled his hands from his pockets and moved away. He lifted a box from the floor and brought it over to the bed to unpack it. I moved to get up and leave but he kept me in place with a stare.

"I'm not gonna drop it. Not until you tell me what's wrong or at least admit that you're not ok."

I huffed, "Technically you shouldn't be worrying. We're barely friends."

"Technically I should cause you're a guest in my house and I need to be able to take care of you as any good host should but I'll drop it for now if it makes you uncomfortable," he amended.

"Mm, I'm gonna go finish the boxes in the kitchen for you."

"Ok, call me if you need anything."