Addicted To You

6 - I'll Be There

I was emotionally exhausted after my "therapy session" with Minhyuk. Kyun had texted me a few minutes before we got back, asking if Jinki could stay the night. She was sleeping and he didn't want to disturb her. I almost said no because I needed her to snuggle, but then I would have to explain why. Plus, he would see my swollen eyes and think something was wrong. I wasn't ready to go through all that again. I was raw. I needed to rest.

Minhyuk gave me a hug at my door and a kiss on the cheek. I smiled weakly at him and thanked him for letting me dump all that. He took my hand and kissed it, saying it was his pleasure. He was happy to learn about me and hoped to learn more.

I went inside and started a hot bath in the giant tub. While the water ran, I stripped out of my clothes and put on my robe. I called Kyun to check in on my girl, asking if he was sure he wanted her to stay. He said she was doing just fine and he really did want her to stay. He sent me a selca of them together. She was stretched out on the bed beside him like she owned the place. The fact that he was shirtless with only a sheet covering his lower half was not lost on me. I tried to ignore that and focus on my sweet kitty beside him. It was one of the most difficult things I have ever done.

I said goodnight and went to get in my bath. I didn't have candles, but I did have my favorite piano jazz playlist on my phone. As the calming melodies filled my ears, I submerged myself in the soothing water. It felt great after a long day of walking... and crying. I didn't want to cry anymore. I am not a crier, but if anyone who knows me had seen me today, they would not believe it. I ducked my head under the water and came out sputtering. Why did I do that? I asked myself. Now I have to dry my hair before bed. Crap.

I kept thinking about the date with Minhyuk. It was a near-perfect date. Why weren't there 'real' men like that? Why did they have to be unattainable world-famous K-pop stars? I shook my head and remembered the fun parts of the night. That was basically everything, up to the point the floodgates opened.

I was very shocked that I had opened up like that to him. I didn't plan to spill my guts to him, or any man for that matter, but I felt safe with him. I suppose I felt comfortable since I did feel I had known him for seven years, but also he would be gone in four months. It was a sort of safe situation all the way around.

I dried off, washed my face, dried my hair, and cuddled up alone on the bed. It was the first time in a year that I had been alone like this. I didn't like it. I called Kyun and said I wanted my cat. I missed her and I needed her with me.

He pouted but agreed to bring her to me. Five minutes later he was knocking on my door. I opened it to take her, but he came inside. I was not planning on that. He had at least put on a T-shirt and shorts.

"So how was your date with Minhyuk?" He saw my swollen eyes and put his hand on my arm. "Did he say something to hurt you? You've been crying." He put Jinki on the floor and closed the space between us. He held my face in his hands and looked at me closely.

I pulled back, uncomfortable with the sudden scrutiny. "No, he was a perfect gentleman. I have been thinking about my mom and some things that happened in the past. It just all happened to come out tonight. I am fine."

"Are you sure? I will kick his ass, I don't care if he is my brother or not. If anyone hurts you..." he left the sentence open to interpretation.

"I am serious, I am fine. He is not to blame in the least. It is just my emotional baggage that broke free for a little bit." I tried to muster a smile, but it was hard. "I need to go to bed. I am exhausted."

"OK, but I am just next door if you need me. No matter the time." He waited for my acknowledgment before hugging me. He went back to his room and Jinki was not happy about that. She meowed and went to the door. She looked at me, blaming me for his leaving. She sat there staring at me and flipping her tail, waiting for him to come back.