Fighter

Fourteen

Your POV

Peace. That's what I feel when I wake up in the late afternoon. I can't remember the last time I napped during the day, but it makes me feel fucking good even though it probably has something to do with the beautiful angel who's clinging to me, head so close and cheek pressed above my chest. I hear the sound of her quiet breathing. I watch her steady breathing and her mouth twitch slightly from time to time, as if whatever was in her dreams makes her happy. I can't help but smile every time this happens. Somehow seeing her happiness becomes enough to bring mine back.

On the nightstand, her cell phone vibrates again. The sound makes her whisper as she sleeps. A few minutes later he plays again, and this time she raises her head. I take her cell phone and look. Fucking Colin! Whatever peace I've been feeling is quickly replaced by a rush of other emotions: anger, jealousy, even a little hurt, though she hasn't done anything to make me feel that way.

- Is it yours or mine?- She whispers in a sleepy voice.

- Yours.- Without intention, the word comes out a little slurred.

She raises her arm, thinking I'm going to hand her the device, but I don't. Instead, I press REJECT and place it back on the nightstand.

Looking at me, her brows draw together, reflecting initial confusion, but then an expression of understanding quickly replaces it.

- Colin? - She asks quietly.

I've never been the jealous type, but even hearing her say his name conjures up a confused feeling inside me. I have to force myself not to try to imagine if he's ever been in this bed lying like I am right now.

- What's the deal with this guy?

Scarlett looks up to me. She looks into my eyes, possibly looking for a way to answer me. But I just stare at her, patiently waiting for an answer.

She closes her eyes briefly and then opens them. She had mentioned that it was a long story. I don't know if I want to hear everything, but I need to know something. Seeing a guy's name pop up repeatedly on her cell phone display while I'm lying in bed, falling in love with her by the minute, isn't going to keep me quiet for long.

- We stayed together for a while.- She says without much enthusiasm.

I clench my jaw. I already knew it had been something more than just one night... she's not that kind of woman and there's some kind of loyalty here, which I usually respect, but having opened my eyes recently has made me more sly about confusing misplaced loyalty to a man who doesn't deserve it.

- When my father died, I was devastated. Colin had moved here a few months earlier to train with a guy Robert thought would be a good idea. We also hired him part-time to help out at the gym. We were friendly with each other, but we didn't know each other that well. But when my father died he stayed by my side. He helped me get over it.

My hug automatically tightens around her without me even thinking. I'm not sure if it's because she mentions that she's had a hard time and if it's because I'm jealous just hearing that idiot's name come out of her lips. Both probably.

- He wasn't always an asshole.- Her eyes deviate from mine while she thinks for a moment. Then she shrugs her shoulders and smiles almost in regret.- Maybe he was, and i just wasn't in a position to see.- She stops and looks at me.- He's possessive towards me. Doesn't understand hints very well, although I keep politely reminding him that we broke up. He also has this way of making me feel guilty...always reminding me how he helped me when i was going through a hard time.- She loses her way for a moment, thinking.- Sometimes i think i let him force me to do things.