Lovers of Yesterday

Chapter 23 • Essentials

I wasn't sure why I thought Lynch would drive a car. He doesn't seem the type to like low-ride vehicles. Even with that thought, I was surprised when he unlocked a truck. He opened the door and climbed in the driver's side while I rounded the front and climbed in the passenger side. He started in up and messed with something on his phone before setting it in the dip on the center console. He pressed the power button on the radio and music started playing.

"Country?" I started tapping my foot to the beat.

"Yeah, Zac Brown," he replied.

I smiled a little as I lip-synced to the song. "I love their music."

"Yeah? I'll keep that in mind." His fingers drummed against the steering wheel as he drove.

It was silent for most of the ride but as we neared Alexandria's apartment complex, he started up another conversation.

"How's the bruise on you face?"

I raised my hand to the cheek, "It's ok. I didn't hit the doorframe too hard."

"Then why'd you cover it with makeup?" He inquired.

"I..." I struggled with an excuse. "I need to look professional at work. I covered it up for that."

"Uh huh." He pulled into the complex and parked before turning to me. "So you can take it off now right? Since we aren't at work?"

"I don't have any wipes though."

"I'm sure Alexandria has some. She shouldn’t mind if you use one."

I had run out of excuses. I nodded and climbed out of his truck. He locked the doors and I led him up to her apartment. I pulled out the key she had given me and unlocked the door. We stepped into the apartment and I shut the door behind us. While he stood in the living room, I darted back to the bathroom and found her stash of makeup wipes.

I gently swiped one over my cheek and when all traces on the concealer were gone, I threw the wipe away. When I stepped out into the hallway, Lynch was walking toward me. I was glad the bruised cheek was on the other side of my face.

He stopped next to me and his hand snaked up to gently hold the back of my neck. I flinched and tensed up. He guided my head to turn so he could see my cheek. His finger outlined the bruise. Then he leaned down and placed a kiss over it. My eyes widened as I looked up at him.

"He did hit you, didn't he?" His murmured question broke me.

Tears welled up and overflowed. My breathing turned to gasped sobs. I would've crumpled to the floor if he wasn't holding me up. His hand dropped from my neck to my back and his other curled around my waist. My arms were trapped between us. I couldn't wrap my arms around him. Ever so slowly, he turned us so I was trapped between him and the wall.

He didn't say anything else. He just let me cry. The crushing weight of his hug helped to calm me. I was safe. He kept me safe. When my tears finally slowed and I started taking deep breaths, he moved one of his hands to brush over my hair.

"I'm scared." I didn't elaborate. I didn't think I would need to. Lynch had seen and understood what happened.

His head dropped so he could press a kiss to my temple. "I know, sweetheart. You just gotta trust me to keep you safe."

I nodded but said nothing else. His thumb brushed away the streaks of tears. He didn't say anything either but nudged me in the direction of Dria's room. I went, immediately missing the safety of his arms.

Damn it, I'm still dating Liam and I was letting another man hold me. Dria may have been right that the whole of the relationship ended a long time ago but people go off of what's said. Not what they see. I still need to declare that I don't want a relationship with Liam anymore.

I shut the door behind me and went digging in Dria's closet for the bag of clothes. When I found it and pulled it out, Lynch's jacket was sitting on top. I pulled it out and laid it on the bed before searching for something somewhat conservative.

The only thing I could find was a backless halter top. The shorts I pulled out were high-waisted and had a few rips. I didn't bother with shoes since I only wear my Vans to work. I changed quickly and folded my uniform. I pulled on Lynch's jacket before I could second guess myself. I used the excuse that I wasn't entirely comfortable with going without a bra.

I stepped out of her room with my folded uniform in my hands. Lynch was leaning on the wall just outside of the door. His eyes went to the jacket before looking over my outfit. I thought I saw a hint of a smile ghost over his face.

"Ready?" He pushed off the wall.

"Yeah."

I followed him out and paused to lock the door behind me. He unlocked his truck as we walked over to it and I rounded it to the passenger side. I climbed up and shut the door. He was already there, starting up his music again. Once it was going, he took the clothes from my lap and set them on the back floorboard.

He backed out of the spot and pulled onto the main road. I focused on the music while staring out the windshield. My attention was only ripped away from it when Lynch's fingers brushed over my knee. Goosebumps raised and I shivered. He settled his hand on my knee, occasionally swiping his thumb over it. When I looked over at him, he kept his eyes on the road.

I forced myself to not freak out and make it a big deal when I reached for his hand and held in mine. His hand twitched in a short reassuring squeeze before relaxing and letting me mess with his hand. I used the opportunity to distract myself from the fear settling in my gut.

He turned and pulled into a small grocery store. He only pulled his hand away when we had to climb out. When I met him on the other side his truck, he offered his hand. Something fluttered in my stomach as I took his and walked in with him.

We walked to the section that held the stuff I needed. I tried to only grab small bottles but he wouldn't allow it. He made sure I got full size bottle of everything I chose. By the end, I had the stuff I needed. He led us over to the checkout and set everything on the counter. When the total popped up, he already had his card out and was swiping it on the machine.

"Lynch, I can pay for my own stuff." He glanced at me as he punched in his pin.

"I know you can. But, since this is all going to be at my place, I'm paying for it."

I kept mouth shut this time, knowing he wouldn't budge. He didn't even let me carry the bags back out to the truck. He picked them up before I could grab one. He set them in the back seat with my clothes and climbed in the driver's side.

I was silent while he pulled out of the parking spot and onto the main road. Then, he set his arm on the console with his palm up. I laid my hand in his and his fingers curled over mine. I looked up at him and saw the corner of his mouth pulled up just slightly.