Love, Aristotle

chapter 8

Damon

I opened my eyes to the sunlight shining through the window, thinking she'd be in my arms.

She was gone.

I swallowed hard, clenching my jaw. Last night's events flashed in my mind and I wanted to break something.

The whole thing was messed up. I wished things could be different. I wished I could be different. But I wasn't and she had to deal with the consequences.

Last night, it was clear that she was falling apart, her tears sent bullets to my heart. I did that, I did that to her.

She's used to it by now, I knew that. But that didn't mean she was okay with it.

While I held her, she was crying, uncontrollable sobs racked her body. There was nothing I could do about it. She carried the burdens of the world on her shoulders, a weight I was taking a toll on.

I got up, limping to the bathroom. I looked at myself in the mirror and absolutely despised what I saw.

My lip was busted, a few small bruises here and there. Overall, I was fine. Things went south last night but I made it home. Just like I promised. It tore her apart though. And I was going to pick up the pieces.

I dabbed a fresh cloth across my face, making plans to get us out of here. Something I did often. I was going to find a way out of this. I hoped she'd be able to put up with my bullshit until then.

I exited the room and walked downstairs to the kitchen. Nervous because I knew she was there.

My heart melted when I saw her, doing her thing. To take her mind off of things, she busied herself by cooking breakfast.

She was turned away from me, facing the stove. Wordlessly, I walked over and wrapped my arms around her waist, pressing myself against her. Her warmth made me instantly relax. It felt like home.

She tensed up and let out a shaky breath but said nothing.

"I'm sorry." I spoke quietly.

She nodded in response and swallowed hard. "I'm just glad you're okay."

"I have you to come home to, of course I am."

With a shake of her head, she took in a sharp intake of breath. There were things we wanted to say but she couldn't find the words and I kept it all inside.

She stepped away and began cleaning up the mess she made from cooking. She was mad, maybe not at me but it killed me to see her this way.

"I kept my promise." I leaned against the counter as I watched her.

"But it'll happen again."

I didn't know what to say, she's right.

She finally met my gaze, my eyes lit up at the simple gesture, "Come here," I said. Walking into my embrace, she circled her arms around me, enveloping me in her home-like arms, in her soft vanilla scent. In her love for me.

I could feel it.

She let out a shaky breath and I kissed the top of her head, doing anything I could do to console her.

This wasn't new to her and I. Shit like this happened often, more than I'd like it too. All night, I had her crying, worried sick. It was clear she was up all night, busy with me on her mind. While I was out there, doing things she wouldn't like.

Travis ran into some old friends and called me right away. He was in some deep shit with them and needed back up.

He was my friend, my brother. Family. I did what I had to do. He's okay now. As for me, I wasn't sure.