Mine to Watch Over - Book 3

Chapter Eleven - Olivia

Olivia

I couldn't sleep. I kept tossing and turning. My mind went first to Cat's phone call telling me she wasn't coming home tonight. She and Alex were staying at their apartment. I still don't think it's a good idea, but I know my opinion is not wanted.

Cat though as never been on her own. She's always had Liam or her family and now Alex. I know she needs or wants to have that support to fall back on, but I fear one day it'll let her down.  It will be a crushing blow.

Then my mind wanders to Doug. He was so sweet tonight. He doesn't talk much about his past with other women, which is fine by me because I really don't want to talk about my past with men, either. Sometimes I worry if he knew how I've been treating myself and my relationships with other men that... I don't know... that he'd be disgusted with me. Or, maybe I think that because I'm disgusted with myself.

I didn't set out to become a player. My heart demanded it, though. Too fragile to even consider investing in another human being. So, love 'em and leave 'em, that was me until Doug. He crept past all my defenses. Slowly earning my trust, until one day I found myself wondering if I could really love him. Dillion springs to mind.

I place my pillow over my face and scream into it. Slowly, I pulled it down and hug the crap out of it. What could he have to say after all this time? And why now? It's been years. If he wanted to make amends, he had plenty of opportunities. So many times, I hoped he would reach out to me, but he never did.

I'm so tired, but sleep appeared pointless. Today was going to suck as far as school. I'd call out, however, I can't afford the absences. My Spanish teacher threatened to drop me an entire letter grade if I missed another of his classes. As an elective, I thought I could get away with it, and with how I liked to party getting up early for class didn't seem worth the effort. Guess, I was wrong.

I take a shower, dress, and trudge downstairs to get some coffee. The house is abnormally quiet since the girls are all asleep. I set up the coffee machine, but I know it's pointless. I drink coffee so often that the caffeine no longer affects me as it should. For me, it's the equivalent of drinking water, only less hydrating. Still, there's something about the warmth and taste I refuse to give up.

I smell it brewing. I forgot to say I love the smell. Mmm coffee... I'm meeting Dillion for coffee... and just like that my brain could think of nothing else for the rest of the day.

I'm startled awake when my phone vibrates in my pocket. My elbow slips and my head nearly hit my desk. The call goes to voice mail. It would seem I had fallen asleep in the back of Biology class and everyone left me here when the bell rang. Well, why wouldn't they? I'm of no consequence to them.

I check my message. It's Cat. She wants to meet up for lunch and wondered where I was. I pack up my books and head to the cafeteria.

Cat is normally a morning person, but this morning she is unusually perky. I'm guessing she pulled off getting back together with Alex.

"Wow! Rough night?" Cat handed me a latte. I take it, grateful yet disappointed, as I don't think even this could put a dent in how tired I feel.

"A little."

"You and Doug aren't fighting, are you?"

"Doug and I never fight. It's unnerving. For a man that tackles other men to the ground, he really tries his best to avoid all confrontation."

"They do call his position defense, so..." Cat said, grinning at her own joke, and I could only roll my eyes at her.

"So, you and Alex...?" I ask, not that I want to hear, but because I know she's practically vibrating in her seat to tell me.