The Lonely Hearts Club

Chapter 20: Anguish (Hades)

"Why were you screaming?" I sink into my seat and look up at her.

She's so fucking beautiful it's impairing.

"Rowan sent me something I wasn't expecting."

She moves to the spot next to me, pulling her legs up to her body.

"I don't know why Silvia said anything about it, it's not like it's the first time-"

She gasps a little and cups a hand over her mouth.

"Not the first time?" I lean closer to her, so close I can smell her strawberry soap.

I know she has nightmares, Silvia told me so, but I'd like to hear it from her.

"Oh you know..."

She shrugs like it's so big deal.

"Sometimes I have terrible dreams."

I think back to earlier when she had a gun at the door.

"You have a bad dream about me?" I ask.

She looks away guiltily.

"Is that why you had your gun with you?"

"You're very perceptive." She mutters.

"We should talk about it." I offer and she leans back on her side of the couch.

"I don't know..."

"Trust me, angel, whatever you say, I won't be offended," I promise.

I hold out my hand and she places hers on top.

"You promise?" She says, voice barely above a whisper.

"I promise." I squeeze her hand and she sighs.

"It started with your arm being all infected, and then you were with Rowan trying to get me, and then you punched me."

She says it quickly like she wants me to forget certain parts.

Alright.

We have a little bit to work through.

"My arm is not infected, you know that."

"I know."

"I'm not working for Rowan, I don't work for anyone aside from my boss."

"Okay."

"And I wouldn't ever punch you," I say.

I let go of her hand and the corners of her lips turn upwards.

"I know every guy says that but I won't," I stress my syllables.

"Then you'll have to prove it." She teases.

"I guess I will."

She looks towards the mantle where those movies I bought her are stacked together.

One day she'll watch them with someone who makes her happy.

She'll laugh with him and he'll hold her and—if I keep thinking about that I'm going to smash something.

She yawns and her eyes close for a few seconds.

"You're tired," I say.

"No." She shakes her head.

"I can leave if you need to sleep," I say.

"No!" She says too quickly. "I mean, no, I'm not that tired."

"Not that tired?"

"No."

Her eyes drop to my mouth, my eyes drop to her mouth.