The Best of Her

Chapter Thirty four

June.

She looks angry. I mean she always looks angry but that's just her resting face but now, she seems to be full-on irritated and it's weird because I haven't said anything yet. I just picked her up to take her back to my place for our second date. When she got into the car she slammed the door shut, and haven't said a word. I'm considering asking her what's wrong, but I'm afraid she would bite me.

I fidget in my seat, readying myself to talk to her when her phone rings. If she looked angry before now she is furious. She glares at her phone screen before she picked and her first words were, "I told you to fucking piss off. I don't need your advice advice Arden, you're not my therapist. So stop fucking calling me."

I don't know who Arden is, but I wouldn't want to be in his place right now. Her lips were curled in a snarl, her leg shaking and her right hand gripping her thigh so hard it looks painful. Whatever he is saying isn't soothing her, "no you listen to me, I will do whatever the fuck I want I'm not fifteen anymore. I'm a grown woman so stop treating me like a toddler."

He must have said something really bad to her, the way her lips parted and the sharp exhale she took, he hurt her. She is quiet for a few seconds, before she picked herself up again and barked into the phone. "You can shove your apology up your ass. Don't call me again or I swear I will block your number."

She hangs up and took a big sigh, I didn't realize her body was shaking but now I see it. She is gripping her thighs for her hands to not shake. I feel my blood heat, anger of my own clouding my head as I look at her almost breaking down.

What the fuck did he say to her?

"Mavis," I say in the smallest voice I could muster, but she shakes her low-hanging head and almost whisper her next words. "Please, just give me a minute."

I would give her all the time she needs. I also need to find out who this Arden is, hunt him down and deal with him. Sometimes violence is the answer.

After a few minutes of silence I manage to say, "We can cancel today if you're not feeling okay." but then she straightens up, moves her hair away from her face and shakes her head again. "No, I won't let him ruin this for me."

Who is he? I wanted to ask, but I'm hesitant. We are not anything official, I don't want to seem too noisy and clingy. But it's like she read my mind. "He is my brother and he is a pain in the ass." her brother. The last time she mentioned him is when she told me a girl used her to fuck him. It must be complicated between them.

"What did he say?" I ask and for the first time since she got into the car she looks at me and I'm reminded again that this girl could bring to my knees and I wouldn't mind. "He is miles away but still think he has a say of what I do with my life, he thinks I'm still that stupid teenager he left four years ago."

Ah, he must be overprotective. But for someone like Mavis, she seems to like her independence. I don't imagine her liking people butting in her business. But it's understandable in a way. If she is his only sister, and saw people treating her badly and using her, I can comprehend why he is worried. Though, he must have said something hurtful, even when you care and love someone can still hurt and harm. "Maybe it's because he cares a lot about you?" I'm taking my chances, I don't want to irk her more.

She slumps back into her seat, eyes looking out the window. "I know he cares, but it's annoying when he keeps holding against me a stupid mistake I committed when I was young and dumb. He acts like he is golden, a perfect image that never wronged but he is so full of flaws like the rest of us." her voice took a deep sad tone, making me want to hold her close to my chest. Sooth away all her distress and sadness. I don't know if the mistake she is talking about is her use of drugs, but it must have been bad for him to still bring out. But it's not fair to her if she wants to forget it and move on, he should be proud she is through with it. It's not easy to fight against addiction and Mavis did, even with her creeping mental health.

I am proud of her, even if I wasn't there.

"Can I hug you?" her head slowly turn to face me, and she stares at me through her long dark lashes and nodded. I don't waste time as I pull her onto me. For a moment she stiffens before she melts, and I smile against her hair. I love the way she relaxes when I touch her or kiss her. "Thank you." I would do it every minute of the day if I could. "No, thank you."

She pulls away and I took it as an opportunity to swipe her into my lap. She didn't look fazed, she just kept looking at me in confusion. "What are you thanking me for?" for not shutting me out, for sharing your worry with me, for letting me hug you, for coming into my life. "For talking to me," I lean closer to her and hover over her cheek. "And For not canceling our date,"

"That food better be good,"

I chuckle and move my face down her neck. She smells so good. I'm grateful for having tinted windows, imagine her parents are home and seeing this. I should stop but the way she tilts her neck the opposite way to give me further access, kept me going. "I have a confession," I plant a kiss against her jaw and she hums in satisfaction. "But promise me you will still come with me if I tell you."

"Please don't tell me you're secretly married and have three kids. I know I'm a bitch but I'm no home wrecker." I smile against her skin, pulling at her waist to feel her flush against me. "Is that what it would take you to break this away?" she grabs a chunk of my hair and pulls my head away making me look up at her. Fiery eyes. "Did you go back to your ex? Or did she come to your house again?" a little pinch settled between her eyebrows and I dare mistake that for jealousy.

"What would you do if she did?"

She tightens her hold on my hair and I almost hiss in pain or pleasure, I don't know but I like it. She brings her face closer to my lips, "you don't want to make me jealous, June. I have a nasty temper." oh I know, but apparently I'm into that. "She didn't. And I didn't talk to her either since last time." she let go of her hold and slide her hand down my neck, stroking it with her long manicured nails. "Good," yeah, I'm definitely into this. "So what did you want to confess?"

Ah right, forgot about that. "I lied to you," she raises an eyebrow. "I don't actually know how to cook, if you don't count eggs. And Nale did most of tonight's dinner but I tried to help until he told me to get out of the kitchen before I burned something." she holds my gaze for a few seconds before a small smile graces her face, and suddenly I'm proud to not knowing how to cook. "You're not mad?"

"Why did you lie?" she was still stroking my neck and it got me distracted. It's too much, how close she is, how her touch feels, how she smells, her voice. Everything is too much with her. "I wanted to impress you, and wanted a second date."

She suddenly kisses my cheek and I feel like a child getting his first bar of chocolate. I swear if I blush, I'm done. "You're so cute." oh goodness, I must have blushed. "Cute?" she nods and kisses me on the other cheek. "Adorable." I am so gone for this girl. I straighten up and clear my throat, trying to get a grip over myself because this is getting ridiculous. "So you don't mind?"

Her smile still not faltering, she nods her head in denial. "No, June I don't mind. I would have been fine even if you ordered food."

"Okay," The words barely skim out of my lips because that smile has me weak, I can't think straight. "Let's go, then."

She was back in her seat, humming with the music all the way to the house. I'm glad I could make her mood better, it makes me feel good about myself that I could somehow help. I could try to have a deeper conversation about it, see if I could do more but I'm afraid I would ruin things. I don't want her sad but avoiding stuff like this could make it worst. If she is not thinking about it now, she will think about it later when she is alone and I won't be there for her to help.

I will see how the evening goes.