Darling

Chapter 18

Sitting cross-legged on the hardwood floor of my childhood home, the smiling faces of my parents stare back at me, old family photos littering the floor. A warm cup of tea sits beside me, and I take a sip every once in a while to soothe my tightening throat when the pictures threaten to bring out a few tears. I took it upon myself this evening to finally start going through my parents' things, designating some items for donation.

Content with my progress, I decide to shower and settle in for the night and watch a Christmas movie or two, Boobies curled up in my lap. I much rather would have preferred to spend Christmas Eve with my family, but Elena took a trip to Mexico to visit my uncle Alejandro's family for the day, leaving me alone.

A soft knock on the door forces me to pause the movie, and I'm almost unsure if I'm imagining things. Sure enough, another, louder knock echoes through the empty house, and I cautiously open the door, the cool air of the winter inviting itself inside.

Aubrey stands in front of me donning a white cable knit sweater and a wide smile, a gift box clutched in her hands. It's a pleasant surprise, and I immediately guide her inside, not wanting her to grow any colder waiting outdoors.

"What are you doing here?" I ask, wondering why she isn't spending the evening with her family.

"I got tired of my dad," she says with a chuckle, kissing me. "And I knew you were alone, so I wanted to drop this off for you."

Her thoughtfulness lightens my mood, but I also feel a twinge of guilt, as the thought of getting her a gift hadn't crossed my mind. I take the gift gratefully and shake it a couple of times as I analyze the sound, Aubrey's smile growing wider at my antics.

Unwrapping the gift, I pull out a sweatshirt that reads "Don't Mess with Texas" on it. A bit confused, I chuckle, looking to Aubrey for an explanation.

"For when you're New York," she explains, gesturing to the sweater. "So you don't forget where you're from."

"Thanks, Aubrey," I say, throwing the sweater on over my t-shirt. "It fits perfect."

I take a few steps closer to the brunette, wrapping her in an embrace. After a few seconds, she pulls back and nudges her nose against mine, her hand snaking around the back of my neck. She guides me in for a kiss, and I allow myself to savor the moment, feeling her lips move against mine. Being intimate with her still doesn't feel entirely right, but I suppress the feeling. I know I deserve to feel happy, even if it must be without the blonde who has been clouding my thoughts.

Aubrey asks me what my plans are for the night, and I only nod towards the TV with a shrug.

Her eyes land on the family photos laid on the kitchen counter, and she sits on the ledge, looking over the pictures. She smiles at a few of them, especially the ones that she's featured in. Her gaze lingers on a photo of us in our Halloween costumes at about 7 years old, both of us dressed up as vampires.

With the moonlight coming from the window highlighting Aubrey's features so beautifully, it's hard to take my eyes off of the brunette. She takes note of my staring, beckoning me to move over to her. When I'm in front of her, she pulls me in close and tilts my chin up before kissing me again, her legs on either side of my waist. She seems to savor the kiss, moving her mouth against mine slowly.

A light moan comes from her lips when I deepen the kiss, her hands finding their way to the waistband of my jeans. She tugs needily at the button, her breathing becoming more labored. It feels good to be wanted so badly again, but sex has caused more hurt than pleasure for me in the past few months.

I think back to how my hand throbbed after I socked Florence in the face for calling me a whore, and the way my heart twinged with guilt when I saw Lizzie at the café when I was with Hailee.