Ride or Die

Chapter 12 - Sweet dreams

I thought it was getting better, but as I wake up in the middle of the night with my fingers shaking uncontrollably, I realize just how wrong I was.

I get up from the bed, leaving the sweat drenched sheets behind, and pick up Elias' room key.

I open his door as silently as I can muster and make my way inside.

Elias' sleeping form is turned to the window, the moonlight casting a silvery glow over his features.

I lift his covers and lay down next to him, careful not to wake him up.

"I was wondering when you'd come over" he mutters, his voice hoarse from sleep, as he turns around and pulls me to him.

"I couldn't sleep" I tell him, my voice beginning to shake.

He holds me tighter, throwing one of his legs over mine and nuzzling his face on my neck. "What's wrong, Sugar?" he questions, his voice soft.

A tear rolls down my cheek. "What if I'm not good enough?"

Elias places a soft kiss on my neck. "What if you are?"

I turn around in his arms and burry my face in his chest, inhaling his woodsy scent. He tightens his arms around my body and kisses my forehead, resting his chin on my head afterwards.

"Want to know a secret?"

I nod against his chest.

"We made a bet," he says and my stomach tightens. What?

"Kicks came up to me and some of the guys, placed a few hundred-dollar bills on the table and said Unmentionable amount of money Sophie gets a top ten."

He places a hand under my chin and lifts my head up. He kisses my cheeks, wiping of my tears, and offers a small smile.

"You can do it, Sugar," he tells me, and there's so much certainty in his voice it makes my heart ache. "And if you can't, well, I'll love you anyways."

My head snaps up, almost hitting his chin in the process.

"What?" I breathe.

His eyes widen. "I didn't mean it, of course you can do it. It was a joke. I'm sorry. I didn't mean it" he explains, the words flying out of his mouth so fast I barely understood what he said.

"What did you say?" I question him, my heartbeat rushing.

If possibly his eyes widen further, as if he's just now realizing what he said. His expression sobers. A grin appears on his face and my heart skip a beat.

"I love you," he states, his eyes bright.

Elias grins before kissing my lips, passion and hunger missing in an intoxicating kiss.

I burry my face in his chest, so much happiness flowing through me I can't keep a smile from forming on my lips. He wraps his arms tight around me and kisses my head.

"Elias" I call, hoping he hasn't fallen asleep yet.

"Yes, Sugar?"

I look up at him, at the smile now etched onto his face. "I love you too."

He stares at me for a few seconds, smiling. "You mean that?"

I grin, shifting my hips to straddle him. "Naa, I was just messing with you."

His hands stop on my hips, his smile dropping. "Really?"

"No, you fucking idiot," I tell him, lowering my face so that my lips brush his. "I love you so much it hurts."