Shift OR Drift

Killian

Amberly's sleeping body greets me when my feet take me back into the bedroom. My eyes flash to the clock on the wall. Three-thirty in the morning. We fucked for over an hour. Thirst and exhaustion grip me. My hand clings to the towel tied around my hips. My feet taking me to the kitchen, I open the fridge only to hear footsteps behind me. A grin pulls on my lips.

"Could you two be any louder?" AJ's voice breaks through the air.

"Yeah, that was us being nice," I tease him and shake the water out of my hair. I grab a cold bottle of water from the top shelf, "I have to leave for my flight in about thirty minutes. Amberly is already asleep. I'm going to let her sleep here for the rest of the morning."

AJ nods along and looks at me, "was the tiff worth it?"

"You have no idea," a smile pulls on my face, "keep her busy while I'm gone?"

"Yeah," a concerned look flashes across his face, "Killian," his eyes meet mine for two seconds then back to the counter, "are you ever going to tell her the truth?"

"Yes. Just not sure when. It's not like it rolls off the tongue with ease AJ," my eyes flick to him and he only nods. I drink the entire water bottle and throw it away, "you still up for driving me?"

"Yeah. Get dressed. We leave in fifteen." He laughs and follows me as he goes to his room.

Amberly lays on one side of the bed and faces the dresser. A breeze from the deck pushes through the open door and I close it. Leaning on my arm, I stare out the door into the neighborhood. Amberly's reflection stares at me. I stare at her clear face. Her jawline. The way her lips part ever so slightly letting out her soft breaths. I shove off the door and change into some normal clothes. Brushing the hair off of her face, I place a small kiss on her forehead.

"I love you, Amberly," the words fall from my mouth as I watch her sleep, "I am in love with you, Princess. Every thought. Every memory. Every emotion. Everything that drives me wild. You consume me and you have no idea," I whisper and brush the hair out of her face again, "I was a boy who believed it never existed. A kid who never had healthy married parents but, the way I feel with you," I inhale sharply, "nothing compares. No one compares," I lean over and softly kiss her forehead, "someday, I'll tell you to your face but, right now, I have to figure out how to tell the truth and not lose you in the process." I lightly shove off of the bed and she stirs but never wakes up as I cover her with blankets. I walk out of the room after leaving a note on the nightstand, AJ's eyes lock with mine, a knowing look in his eyes. He knows. Of all people, he was the first one to read me. He has known since the night I stopped the man from hitting her and he let me figure it out all on my own.

He slaps my back and squeezes my shoulders as he shoves me to the door. With one last glance back, I exit the house not confident about what will happen when I return.

***

Jitters run up my arm and into my system. My stomach turns and anxiety pierces my chest as it tries to steal the air from my lungs. The elevator dings and I step into the all too familiar penthouse. My father's eyes lock on me and his jaw pops with anger. The last time I saw him, the bruise healing on his face was my going away gift. I drop the duffle bag as my eyes land on my mother. She stands and her eyes pass between the two of us as if she is waiting for me to leap to an explanation. No words fall from my mouth. My eyes meet my father's again. I take a step toward him.

"I have no money for you," his voice is cold. Unforgiving as his face sets into a hard line.

"I'm not here for your money," I raise my hands in a peaceful manner, "I'm here to talk."

"There is nothing I have to say to you," he grits out.

"You may not but I do," his eyes lock on mine and I swallow hard about to mention what I am here for.