Homebound

Chapter Nineteen

I hear the beep of a car horn as Harley drops Hex off, his big boots can be heard stomping the pavement leading to the front door before a key is turning the lock.

It won't be much longer Hex has to go without a car. Clyde had said he could have one of the work cars once Hex had worked enough hours to pay it off. I'm happy for him; I really am but I'm going to miss the routine we had made in the mornings of leaving together before I drop him off with a kiss goodbye.

"Poppy!" Hex calls through the house, his voice deep and raspy.

"In here!" I call back. I hear him kick off his boots in the hallway before making his way into the kitchen where I reside. The grumpy scowl on his face alerts me intantly that he hadn't had a good day at work.  "What happened?" I ask.

"Fucking Charlie happened" he says with a huff while placing his bag down. I round the kitchen island and lean against it as I face him.

"Did he show up at work?" I question watching as he raises a hand and runs his fingers through his hair, pushing the loose strains off his forehead. My mind wanders as his anger is forgotten. There's something about seeing him so dirty, his hands are callused and rough, and stained with various grease and oils, my eyes follow the movements of his hands as he moves them around.

"Fuck yeah he did" he's too worked up to notice me getting distracted.

"Oh?" I hum.

"In front of everyone. I wouldn't have had a problem if it was just in front of the boys but Clyde was there, he's never going to let me live it down!" he slams his hand down on the counter before grabbing a glass and filling it with water.

"They already know you're on parole Hex, they don't care" I try and reassure him as he chugs the entire glass.

"Charlie didn't have to mention testing for drugs and alcohol in front of them though" he quietly fumes. My eyes watch as a droplet of water trails down his mouth and then his neck before he wipes it off.

"Yeah" I mumble as I cross my legs, holding them tightly together as I try and surpress the heartbeat.

Hex dumps the glass in the sink and rounds the kitchen island "I'm having a shower" he says as one arm finds my waist and holds me tight while he bends at the waist and presses a hard kiss to my mouth, stealing any sanity I have left "love you" he says before walking off down the hall.

"Love you" I mumble, dazed but also confused. Had he not picked up on my current state? Surely he can feel it? Maybe he's just too consumed with anger directed at Charlie to feel it.

I lean on the island waiting for him to come back once he feels it but he doesn't. Moments later I hear the water turn on and the glass door of the shower close as Hex enters.

I look at the ceiling, sighing before rubbing my hands over my face. I quickly glance at the clock noting that it's only 5.30pm.

"Fuck it" I whisper to myself before quickly scurrying down the hallway in the direction of the bathroom. I struggle out of my work uniform and by the time I'm at the door of the bathroom I'm naked, leaving a trail of clothes behind me. I waste no further time and push the door open.

Hex has his face under the water when I enter and doesn't notice me. His tattoos shine and the stitched stab wounds that are due to be removed next week can barely be seen as his back faces me. His hair appears longer and darker as the water runs through it.

I shut the door behind me with a click, waiting for him to notice me.

"Baby?" he calls out as he lifts his head from the water and pushes the hair out of his face. He sees me when he opens his eyes. I watch as he takes me in before looking at the ceiling "god help me" he mumbles. It brings a smile to my face.