Her Name Was Meloni

let her have it

I laid up with Tate holding me against his chest. My cheek was pressed against his chest. I could hear the steady beat of his heart. A lot of people said when they are in the arms of someone they like there heart beats really fast. But mines was steady and relaxed and so was his.

"So that was Nando?" Asked as he played with my curls. His voice didn't have an edge or anything to it. He sounded normal actually. Like he was simply curious. But I still had to tease.

"Yeah. Why jealous?" Asked mockingly. He chuckled which caused a soft vibration against my cheek.

"No. I'm not. I'm hotter than him." He said confidently. And I couldn't help but laugh.

"What's so funny? It's true." He said in a deadpan voice which made me laugh harder. His hand reached down and caught the edge of my chin. He pulled my face up to face him. He had slight smile on his face.

"I've missed you." He said and leaned down and kissed me softly on the lips, but pulled back before I could deepen it.

"I've missed you too." I said with a smile.

His smile faltered slightly. "Did you want to talk about it?" He said.

No I didn't. I didn't want to talk about my mom. I don't want to talk about how damaged I am and how my mom played apart of me being so unhealthy. But instead of answering, I didn't say anything and I laid my head back on his chest.

"My ears are open and ready to listen." He said. I wrapped my arms around him tighter and he tightened his hold in response. If not him then who else would I tell?

"How can she just show up like that? No warning? Just because she's ready. What about me? I'm not ready. And im not sure when I will be. From some of the stories my dad told me she has always been selfish and self involved. My dad tried his best not to make a bad picture of her but it easy to read between the lines when it comes to her." I paused to take a breath in. He stayed quiet and listened to me patiently.

"I don't think she's gonna stop either. But I don't want to get my hopes up. Every time she comes back, it's only because she needs something. Money. A place to stay for while. Food. It's never for us. You know she only been to like two of my doctor appointments. And when I was admitted as a live in patient she never visited me. But now wage wants to show up at the house and demand to see me. To ambush me and dad like that is just....so......cruel." I said. My voice was rough and filled with disdain..

He pulled me up to a sitting position careful of the iv in my arm. I sat in his lap as his arm was as secured around my waist. His hand reached up and cupped my cheek. His thumb seemed to wipe something from my cheek.

.....I hadn't realized I was crying.

"Oh. My little owl is leaking." He whispered with sad smile. A small giggle left my tear stained lips.

"Listen to me, Loni. Take your time. But if she forces her way to you, don't run. She wants to talk? Then you talk. Let her have it. I know your dad or others will tell you to be the bigger person and try to be nice and all that bullshit. I'm not gonna say that. If she wants to rush your healing she must understand the consequences. Let her have it." He said with all the seriousness of a government passing a new law. I looked back at him in disbelief.

I mean i don't know what I was expecting, but that wasn't it.

"You don't think I should listen to what she has to say?" I asked.

He shrugged his shoulders. "That's up to you, little owl. If you want to hear her out, then do it. If you don't walk out the room. If you you want to scream then do so. All I'm saying do what you feel is necessary when the time is near. Don't hide what you feel to make others comfortable. Take your time. And if she rushes you or ambushes you, do what feel best for you because clearly she doesn't care enough to do that for you." His face was dead serious. I couldn't decide of this was good or bad advice.

I looked at him dumbfounded.

"What?" He asked.

"I'm not sure if that is good or bad advice." I said and barked out a laugh. His arms went around my waist and he held me against him tighter.

"Me neither. But I'm just telling you what I feel you should do. I don't think it's fair that you have to do this on her terms. And I don't think it's be fair for any of us to expect you to be the mature one on situation." He said.

I couldn't help the smile that was on my face now. My brutally honest Tate. He was right. For everyone to expect to handle this without any warning like an adult or so unfair. I'll try to handle it as best I can, but he was right. If she just pops up, she gets what I can give.

My eyes caught his and I was captured. I could always see his soul in his eyes. Damaged. Strong. And mine. My hands found his face. I began to study his him avidly. Like I would never see him again and it seemed like he was doin the same to me. I pressed my forehead against his and closed my eyes breathing in his scent. It was different. Sandalwood and the ocean or something salty I guess. Whatever it was I was obsessed.

"Thank you." I whispered to him.

"I'd like to kiss you now?" He asked with smirk and I could help but laugh. I nodded my head and his lips were immediately on mines.