Saving Boston (Rewritten)

Better Than Ever

After Kinnick left me a gift card for Scooters, I continuously bought coffee throughout the day for work. Evan asked me to revisit the paperwork ruined during the attack, but every time I sit down, flashbacks of what happened play through my mind every time I sit down. I couldn't decipher if my hands were shaking from the caffeine or the fear I felt.

So, I reorganized my office. Then I didn't like where my filing cabinet sat, so I changed it again and again, and now it is two in the morning, and I am still figuring out the things I don't like. The candles burning on my window seal lit up the room. The flickering glow cast a glare on the wooden floor, but I adored how the moonlight shined on the white walls. Something felt calming about sitting in a dark room lit up by the moon and golden candles despite everything that happened.

A slight knock came from my opened door, catching me off guard. My body jolted forward as I looked up to see a stranger standing in my doorway. His tall stature gave me goosebumps, but I never attempted to leave. I felt frozen again.

"Can I help you?"

A smile twisted on his lips. "I am the new security officer. I am just making my rounds."

"I wasn't aware we hired anybody."

"Oh," he reached for a badge on his hip. "This is my identification card. Evan said I would be getting an official badge in a week, but Marcus said that really means in a few months."

A chuckle spewed past my lips as the muscles in my shoulders relaxed. "Well, it is nice to meet you - sorry I didn't catch your name."

"Brian," he blurted. "I should have started with my name."

His pink-tinted cheeks made me grin. "It's okay."

"You are Boston, right?"

"Yes," I nodded.

"Well, it was nice meeting you," he smiled. "As long as I am around, I can assure that nothing will happen to you."

My heart swelled because I remembered when Kinnick said that to me and how I still only believe it when it falls from his lips. Now my trust is in the hands of a new security officer. Brian gave me one last farewell before disappearing around the corner. I looked at the clock on my phone, noticing thirteen hours had passed.

When I told Brian that I was leaving, he walked me to my car. He even stayed to make sure my car started, which it didn't. Now we are back inside. As he sat at the front desk, I tried calling anybody who would answer, but their phones went straight to voicemail. My fingers trailed over a familiar number, but my phone had already started to dial it before I could protest.

"Bo?"

I sucked in a deep breath as I struggled to stay calm. "Kinnick? I am sorry. I didn't mean to call you. I am sorry if you were asleep. It was an accident -"

"Slow down," his raspy voice soothed me in the same way it made me want to cry. "Are you okay?"

I blew a breath through my lips. "I'll be fine."

"Where are you?"

My head fell into my palm. "Work."

"It is almost two in the morning," I could practically hear his eyebrows furrowing. "Why are you still at work?"

"I didn't want to go home," I sighed. "Now I can't go home -"

"Why can't you go home?"

"My car won't start," my lip quivered. "I will call a cab. It will be fine -"

I heard the elevator ding. "I am on my way."

The feeling of guilt rushing through my body made me suffocate. I didn't want to be why he woke from a peaceful slumber. I, of all people, know what it is like to lose sleep. I didn't want to be the person to take that from him. He didn't seem to care.

Brian refused to leave, but I promised Kinnick would be here soon, and I wouldn't need him to stay. Plus, it was late. He needed his sleep too. Now, I am sitting outside, listening to Kinnick talk.

I missed hearing how his voice changed when he woke up from a deep sleep. It still sent shivers down my spine to hear it. No matter what happened, my body always reacted to him. The butterflies were still flapping their wings, creating a beautifully chaotic swarm of warmth in my stomach.

When I tried hanging up, he insisted on staying on the phone. He didn't want something to happen. I know he doesn't believe him being on the phone would stop someone from hurting me if they wanted to, but staying on the phone assured him I was okay. So, I did whatever soothed his worrying mind. He deserved that after everything.

I listened to his truck start as he asked me about my day. The conversation was awkward, but he was the only person I wanted to talk to. My feet stretched out in front of me as I sat on the stairs outside, taking in the warm breeze as it drifted by. He could hear the wind as it blew through the phone. I know how badly he wanted to tell me to go inside. He didn't. He just asked me to be aware of my surroundings.

Things felt normal even though they felt awkward. Talking to him was familiar. It was coming home after spending a week away. During the time we talked, everything came rushing back. We were together again, and I wasn't heavily drinking to get my mind off of things. I was coming home to the man I loved more than anything in this world.

"I am close," his raspy voice assured me. "Are you still okay?"

I looked at the stars as I leaned back on the concrete stairs. "Better than ever."

Lights flashed over my body. My heart picked up as I looked at the vehicle. "It's me, Bo. You're okay."

He stayed on the phone even when his body exited the car. I stood up from the stairs, and before he could prepare himself, I ran down to him. I threw my body towards him, wrapping him in my arms. His touch was hesitant, as if he would break me by simply laying his hands on me. But when he did, the world fell away.

"What is wrong, Bo?"

My face dug deeper into his chest. "Just hold me, please."

I let out a sigh as his arms wrapped around my lower back. He circled me into his chest, pulling me tighter to him. As his face brushed my neck, I could feel his lips moving against my skin.

"What happened, baby?"

My head moved back and forth as I fell victim to his touch. "Not right now, please."

"Come on," he nudged me. "Let me get you home."