Abandoned

chapter twenty-nine.

"Goodnight, Ray."

"Night little one, merry Christmas Eve." I smiled, shutting the door to our bedroom. I walked downstairs and into the kitchen, where the cookies Pattie and Rose had made lay on the table with a glass of milk and a note that says 'For Santa.'

I grabbed a water bottle from the fridge, cursing everything in existence when I heard footsteps coming down the stairs, hoping that it was only Pattie.

Earlier at the mall and on the entire way home, Justin had tried to apologize, on multiple occasions, but I kept cutting him off, telling him that he doesn't need to apologize and to just leave it alone. He eventually gave up, I guess getting frustrated and not wanting to cause a scene in front of Rose, and I've been avoiding him the rest of the night.

I glanced at the clock over the stove, realizing that Pattie is usually already in bed by this hour. And four seconds later, (I counted), Justin appears in the doorway.

I take him in as he stands there, his hair damp from a shower and grey sweats hung low around his hips. He, of course, is shirtless and the top of his calvin klein boxers are showing. I force myself to look away from his dark tattoos and toned stomach, that I can remember exactly how it feels from the other night...

"Didn't anyone ever tell you not to walk around half naked when you have guests?" I raised a brow at him.

"You're not a guest, you live here." He said easily. "And I didn't know if you'd be up."

"Well, I was about to go to bed, so..." I started my attempt to leave, not getting very far.

"Ah," Justin stopped me, standing right in the doorway and putting his arms across it to block me. "Not so fast."

"Justin, move." I tried going around him, but ended up just pushing uselessly against his chest.

"Are you trying to feel me up, Ray? Because I could go for that." He smirked down at me. I huffed and crossed my arms, giving him a well-deserved glare.

"I just want to talk." He held his hands up in surrender, then nodded over to the table. "Those cookies aren't gonna eat themselves, anyway. Unless you still believe Santa is going to bust up in here and do it."

"Fine." I sighed in defeat, walking over and sitting down. He did the same and sat across from me.

"I'm sorry." He said, "seriously."

"For?" I questioned after pulling a cookie away from my mouth.

"For being an asshole." He answered and I couldn't help grinning a bit. When he looked confused at my reaction, I audibly laughed.

"This isn't funny." He slouched down into his chair.

"Kind of."

"Why'd you get so mad about what I said?" He sat back up, efficiently shutting me the hell up. "I mean, I thought you didn't..." He trailed off, but I knew what he was getting at. Thought I didn't want a relationship, can't be bothered with one. That's what I've always told myself, anyway...

"I don't know, okay?" I sighed. "I just... can't talk about this now." I stood up, ready to bolt if he tried to push it any more.

"Alright." He agreed, thankfully. I nodded and turned to leave, but was stopped again before I made it into the hall.

"Ray?"

I turned around to find that Justin had stood up and followed me, as he was standing right in front of me. He leaned down and placed a sweet kiss on my lips as his thumb caressed the side of my cheek.