A thousand bad times - Post Malone

Fifteen

When Holi wakes up she can see it is still dark outside, it's morning because the sky is a dark navy blue, but very early. The bed is empty but she was expecting that. She knew Austin would rise early and start getting ready for his game. She is not sure what she is supposed today, but she will figure it out.

She must have fallen asleep again because the next thing she feels is Austin's lips on her neck as he bends over the bed, "I have to go, my love. Wake up," he says and continues to play along her neck with his lips. It sends chills up Holi's spine so does not disturb him. Eventually, he makes his way up her jaw and to her lips...she thinks she could settle for being woken like this every morning.

Austin pulls back, "I have to go." he says. Holi frowns, she does not know much about football but is pretty confident it should not take all day., "why so early? It's only...what time is it?" she sits up and looks at Austin's watch attached to his arm, "fucking hell, it's 7 am," she moans out and flops back onto her pillow. Austin smiles and sits on the bed then starts putting on socks and shoes.

"It's a full day thing, interviews, team stuff...football things. The game is only this afternoon though."

"Well, what do I do? Do I need to get up now?"

Austin leans over her and gives her a quick kiss, "no, but I did wake you up for a reason," he says. He looks at her with a pointed look then reaches over to the bedside table picking up a cell phone and handing it to her. "I got this phone for you. It's all set up...take it," his voice is careful. He knows she hates gifts and this gift looks expensive, she shakes her head, "I don't want it," she says adamantly.

Austin takes a deep breath in and makes a point of sighing loudly through his nose, "why do you always have to rebuff everything I do?" he says, Holi can hear he is trying to control his irritation. But he is wrong - she has not rebuffed everything. She sits up and leans into him, it's a challenge, "don't be ridiculous, I don't turn my nose up at everything you do." Austin's mouth drops open and then he frowns.

"Oh? So did you accept the clothing from my boxes on the first day?"

"No, but I did not know you - so..."

"What about my offer for you to stay for the weekend?"

"No, but I said yes eventually...after some coaxing...by Mac."

"The bail?"

"I was pissed at you."

"What about the clothing from when you got back?"

"Still think you went over the top with the clothing...who needs ten pairs of jeans?"

"The lawyers?"

"Ok, look, you are just being arrogant now. besides, there are things I have accepted without  a fight."

"Really? What?"

"Your watch."

"I never offered you my watch."

"Oh? My mistake then."

Austin glares at her not impressed with her sarcastic joke then grabs hold of her wrist and pulls her towards him, "come here," he says quietly as she settles on his lap, "it's for you just as much as it's for me. When you disappeared I had no way of contacting you. Having this phone will just make me feel better...please take it and keep it with you," he says. His voice is stern, Holi knows he is not going to accept no for an answer but besides that how can she turn her nose up at someone giving a shit about her...worrying about her being safe. It's kind of nice, makes her feel like she is worth it.

She wraps her arms around his neck and pulls him in for a kiss, "ok," she whispers and the smile she gets from Austin makes it all worth it. But there is one little problem - she has no fucking idea how to use it. She does not want to ask Austin because she feels stupid. "do you know how to use it?" fucking hell, she is sure he can read minds. Holi rolls her eyes and is tempted to tell him off...but that would be a lie and then she is left with a block of metal that she has no idea how to use so she just shakes her head.