Don't call me Angel- Completed

Seventeen

My head was still a wreck after last night. I'd barely slept so it had thrown all of my plans for today right out the window. 

I'd planned on getting up early, hitting the gym, maybe going for a run. Getting ready, going to the viewing, grabbing lunch and just thinking about it all, making sure I was making the right decision before I put in the offer. I'm sure it was but maybe being in the house would make me feel different. I wouldn't know until I was out of there and I could evaluate it properly. 

The appointment was at 11. It was 10.30. I looked a mess. No amount of makeup could hide the dark bags under my eyes. Trust me. I tried everything. Colour correctors, concealer, foundation. None of it was working today. It would just have to do. I mean it's not like I had a choice. Not now. I ran my fingers through my hair again, breaking the quick curls up so they looked a little less fresh. 

Walking through the hotel whilst still getting ready isn't really my vibe. I was a 'leave when you're ready or don't leave at all' kind of girl. But this appointment was too important to miss. They had no other spaces available for first viewings until after I needed to be back. And if I push my stay out a few more days, that's going to be even more questions I need to answer. 

The late spring sun was hot this morning, making me wince like I had the worst hangover known to man. 

"Maddy!" I looked up in the direction of my name. Only one person here knew me. I didn't have to wonder who it was. Suddenly I felt wide awake. He nodded his head, asking me to come over. I did, slowly. "Morning beautiful. How'd you sleep?" 

"Shit." I smiled. "I'm kind of in a rush, what's up?"

"Why'd you sleep shit?" I stared at him, raising an eyebrow. 

"I'm gonna go-"  I turned quickly. 

"Parking lot is having work done on it today. You won't be able to get your car in or out." I stopped. Of course. They mentioned that. I was supposed to move my car. Fuck Sake.  

"Let me guess-" I turned around slowly. "You're going to drive me up to my appointment on this." He smiled. "Okay, sure. I don't exactly have another option and I already look like shit."  rolled my eyes getting closer to the bike. He moved forward, giving me space to slide on behind him.

"You look stunning Mads. Stop being so hard on yourself." I scoffed as he turned the engine on. "Hold on tight."

"No shit." I pulled my bag over my head rather than it hanging from one shoulder, fastening my jacket to keep it in. Once I was happy with that, I wrapped my arms around him, holding as tight as I possibly could around his ribs. I'd never ridden on the back of someone else's bike before. I was always the one driving and no one else was allowed on my bike. Only me. 

"I like you being this close." He had his head turned back as far as he could. I squeezed him a little tighter, watching his smile grow before he turned back, pulling his helmet on. 

The wind in my hair as we rode down the city streets, ducking in and out of traffic. I was watching sideways, my ear pushed tightly against his back, the world passing by as the bike's loud engine drowned out any thoughts that had been cycling through my head. 

This was the freedom I wanted. The freedom I couldn't have back home. I didn't mind it relying on him. I think some part of me preferred it. It meant I could fully relax and take it all in. If it was me driving I'd be looking for everything. Hoping I didn't miss the turning, is that person going to cross? 

The only thing that felt as good as this was things like the gallery. Working, bringing people to their knees, them begging for me to go easy on them. That's it. That's all I'd ever experienced that felt this freeing. 

It wasn't possible to feel trapped out here, not like this. I could feel Lu's body heat, warming me as I slipped my hands under his jacket, the wind getting to them a little too much. I was frozen. He was keeping my blood pumping. 

I was starting to like him a lot more than I had originally planned. Even after last night. I couldn't deny the way my heart sung when I saw him outside the hotel. Especially on the bike. Leather jacket. Ripped jeans. How he gave me every single one of the mozzarella sticks last night when he saw I loved them. His smile when I spoke to him again. Short, simple sentences. But I was talking. The way he played it cool when I laid my head down on him. But I saw it. How his breathing changed, how he let out a staggered breath as he moved my hair out of my face. How he didn't kiss me good night when he left because he knew he had to build up to it again now. 

I saw it all. 

And I wasn't sure right now if I liked it or not. 

I was kind of confused about my whole thoughts on it all. I didn't have feelings. But for Lu. For him I had one. And it was getting more and more difficult to keep it supressed every time I saw him. 

I didn't like the vulnerability I was having towards him. Not when I knew who he was. His name had a little more standing. Arlo's families rivals. This would not end well either way. Of the 3 of us, one of us was bound to get physically hurt. It sucked. I knew I'd have to decide eventually who was going to get it, how I was going to handle it. 

But right now. This very second? 

With the wind in my hair, the sun in my eyes and his skin against mine palms? 

Nothing else mattered.