The Eyes Have Me

Chapter 11

Arrow's P.O.V.

Starring at my brother in total confusion that he mirrors as he replies; "Arrow, our mum's funeral was yesterday. I figured the six of us would spend the day together. That we could do something that she enjoyed in her memory and honor."

Frowning at him, I reply blankly; "I know her funeral was yesterday, but why would we do what you have suggested?"

"Arrow, I already have planned for you and Axel to have today off," Mr. Brown interjects with a frown of his own which makes my frown deepen.

"I don't want nor need today off. There is no need for it as I would rather work," I reply as I continue to grab a few more food items.

"But Arrow," Callie starts off, but stops when I give her a tiny glare before moving off toward a table in the dinning area to sit down.

Four plates are placed onto the table top around me as Axel, Mylo, Callie and Able sit down. Able and Axel have me in between them as Callie and Mylo sit across from us.

The tension is thick as we silently for about five minutes as we eat until Abel speaks; "Arrow, I understand you miss mum because I miss her, too. I don't think it is healthy for you to suppress what you are feeling."

"I am not suppressing how I am feeling," I mumble weakly as I look down at my plate as tears spring into my eyes. "How do you think I should be acting, and feeling?"

Abel softly sighs as he reaches over to lift my chin up with two of his fingers to search my eyes intently; "You are suppressing what you are feeling. I don't know what I expect from you, but you have shut down on us, and become distant."

Anger floods my entire body as I snap at Abel while wrenching my chin from his hold; "Fine. You want something from me other than how I am? I am pissed mum died! I am pissed I missed the last year of her life! I hate that she had fucking cancer, and I am pissed she died!"

Fat tears roll down my cheeks in anger as I stare back wide eyed at Abel. His mouth drops down into an "O" shape as he stares back at me; "Now, do you feel better getting that off your chest?"

"No, I don't!" I grit through clenched teeth. "Spend the day with anyone you wish, but not me."

Standing, I grab the plate of half eaten food, and dump the food in the garbage, leaving the plate on a table, and walk toward the front. Reaching my work station, I find Royce and Carol there, and both seem surprised to see me.

"Who is supposed to cover for me today?" I ask looking between them with a frown.

Carol tells me that she is, and I then tell her the next time she wants a shift off, I would cover for her. Thanking her for covering for me today, I leave for my bedroom to change into comfier clothes of black leggings, black combat boots, and a long sleeve black shirt. Grabbing a towel, car keys, cell, and wallet, I leave my room toward the front of the Inn. Climbing into my vehicle, I drive toward the hot springs that are located at the edge of town.

My phone is constantly dinging or ringing that I am trying to ignore, so I shut the phone off. Tossing the phone back onto the passenger seat, I focus on on my drive, and arrive at my destination twenty minutes later. I park, turn off the engine, and climb out to walk toward the water which is surprisingly empty.

Stopping at the edge of the water, I sit down to take off my socks and shoes, roll up my pants to my knees. Slipping my feet into the hot water, I enjoy the moment of the hot water, and the sounds of nature around me. Leaning back onto my elbows, and close my eyes as the sun shines down on me, and I let out a long sigh. Finally relaxing some since finding out mum's death. I know I could have handle this entire situation better, but I don't want to be told how I should be feeling, acting, or thinking about anything, especially when I don't know myself on these things at the moment.

Sitting upright after about ten minutes, I grab my phone from beside me to turn it back on, I find many missed text messages and calls. Eleven texts and thirteen calls from Callie, seven calls and ten texts from Mylo, twenty texts and twelve calls from Abel, and twenty-three texts and fifteen calls from Axel.

Softly sighing, I place the four of them in a group text, so I only have to type out my message once; "I am sorry for leaving like I did. I am sorry for my anger. I needed space to think on everything alone, away from everyone for a while. I am fine, and I will be home in about forty minutes."

Standing after I dry off my feet, I slip on my socks and shoes, I slip my phone in my back pocket. I grab my towel as I head back toward my car, slowly as I possibly could. I deliberately drive slowly back to the Inn, not slow enough to possibly to acquire a ticket, and arrive back at the Inn thirty-five minutes later.

Parking and turning the engine off, I sit in my car for about five more minutes before the door is pulled open, startling me. Snapping my head up and over slightly, I find Axel leaning down into the cab with a worried-relieved expression. Dropping his gaze, I settle my eyes on his shirt at his chest as he silently reaches his hand into the car to gently pull me from the cab by the hand.

"Come with me, love," he murmurs with a kind tone as he pulls me gently toward the Inn, and up and into his room.

"What are we doing?" I mumble as I feel myself starting to become emotional.

"We are going to lie on the bed, snuggle together until you no longer want too," he says as he starts pulling off his shirt. "So, take off whatever you want, too, and climb onto the bed."

Not wanting to think at the moment, or argue with Axel, I do as he ask. Bending forward at the waist, I unlace my boots before slipping these off. Climbing on top of the bed, lie on my left side to face him with my back to the wall. I don't have to wait too long for him, and he has changed into a pair of black sweats. When he has settled on his back, he lifts his left arm up for me to snuggle into his side which I quickly do.

Neither of us speak, and when he sweetly kisses me on the top of the head, I sob hysterically into his neck. His arms tighten gently around me while he rubs his finger tips across my lower back just above the waist my leggings until I fall asleep.