ALL BECAUSE - LOUBBIE

PROLOGUE

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DEBBIE'S POV
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"Are you hurt?" I asked Lou, my voice at most calm, as she approached me, cradling her arm. She winced, trying to move her elbow, a grimace of discomfort crossing her face,"I'm not."

I paused in my preparations for supper, concern rising as I observed her. She appeared worn out, utterly exhausted. With her helmet in one hand and the other clutching a motorcycle glove, it was evident she had been through another accident.

Lou attempted to shrug it off, but the strain on her face betrayed the pain she was in. "It's nothing serious," she insisted, though I could see her subtly trying to stretch her arm without drawing attention to it. She was clearly trying to hide the extent of her discomfort from me.

Before saying anything else, I dashed to grab the medicine kit hidden in one of the kitchen cabinets. As Lou started to take off her black leather jacket, a velvet vest was revealed underneath. Approaching her with a sigh, I said, "I'm not a fool, Lou."

She chuckled lightly, and I joined in, but my laughter faded as I noticed the wounds and scratches on her arm. "Jesus! Where the hell have you been again?!"

All that the blonde could do was plant a kiss on my cheek while I frantically cleansed her wounds with trembling hands. It's evident that she knows why she should know. We had already discussed this, and I had forewarned her. I explained to her what would happen to me if she ever returned home in such a situation. She wouldn't listen, so here we are.

"Lou, please stop it," I muttered to myself. I could really feel her attempting to divert my attention from this. "Look at yourself when you're mad. You shouldn't blame me if it makes me feel like kissing you a lot right now," she added while playing around with me,"I told you, I'm fine. This should be the least of your concerns right now."

"I swear to God, if you don't let me clean this up for you, I will never talk to you again, Louise Miller."

"Deborah Ocean Miller, not that. That can and will really kill me," she chuckled, then let out a painful cry as soon as the ointment reached the injured area. Ouch.

For a while, silence reigned. Lou smiled contentedly and lifted my chin, saying, "I'm sorry."

"For?" I asked, a cotton ball touching her skin.

"I know you're mad."

"Why?"

"Your words are few," she answered, hiding her shame-filled expression behind a charming grin.

Again, it was just silent. I can only hear the soft wind and Lou's clinking jewelries.

"Debbie," she called again, and then once more, "Deb—" Before she could finish, I turned to face her. My gaze felt intense, almost piercing. "Jeez. Calm down," Lou reacted, visibly startled by my stare.

I'd had my fill of these little attempts by Lou to sweep me off my feet, so I closed the kit and placed it back in its spot. I didn't bother to look at her, instead feigning a yawn. "I'm heading to bed," I announced, dismissing her efforts with nonchalance.

"Our bed, right?" She stood up, seemingly with the want to follow behind.

"Lou."

"Okay, okay," her voice in defeat. I continued making my way to the stairs when I heard her whisper to herself. "No need to be cold."

I clenched my fist and dashed to my room, slamming the door shut behind me as I entered. I leaped into bed, but instead of settling in to sleep, I grabbed a pillow and pummeled it as if it were a punching bag. "Goddamnit! Goddamnit!" My voice echoed in the room, a mix of frustration and pent-up anger to myself escaping with each strike.

As exhaustion washed over me, I let the pillow fall atop my face as I lay on my back, staring blankly at the ceiling. "It's okay. That was nothing. Just shake it off. It was a normal response," I murmured to myself, my words a feeble attempt at self-assurance. Trying to convince myself that what I had just done was inconsequential, a reflex beyond my control.