Under the Grit

Little Lion Man

Evangeline quietly stepped into her apartment, the soft click of the door closing behind her a comforting sound amidst the silence of the night. She kicked her shoes off, the familiar thud of her heels hitting the floor grounding her after the whirlwind of the evening. The soft glow of the streetlights filtered through the curtains, casting a warm hue across the living room.

She moved quietly to her bedroom, her mind replaying snippets of the ride back with Arthur. The laughter, the singing, the way he had looked at her—it all felt surreal, as if she had stepped into a dream. But as she undressed and changed into her favorite oversized t-shirt, she realized the buzz of excitement had morphed into a heavier intoxication than she had initially realized. It wasn't just the alcohol; it was the emotional high from being around Arthur, the magnetic connection that had ignited a warmth within her.

As she slipped under the covers, the fabric cool against her flushed skin, Evangeline suddenly noticed Ben lying asleep beside her. The sight of him stirred a mix of emotions. The gentle rise and fall of his chest brought a pang of guilt, but there was also a sense of familiarity that made her heart ache.

She curled up against her pillows, her thoughts still swirling around the events of the evening. The recollections flooded her mind, and she found herself smiling despite the underlying sadness. Arthur had been attentive, always making sure she was okay, even walking her to the door as if she were a fragile thing that needed protecting. His voice, deep and steady, lingered in her mind, comforting and reassuring. She could still feel the warmth of his hand holding hers, the gentleness of his touch as they stood together outside.

"Evangeline?" Ben's voice broke through the haze as he stirred awake, his eyes blinking slowly against the dim light. He turned to face her, concern etched across his features. "Is that you?"

"Yeah, it's me," she replied softly, her heart racing at the unexpected moment. She pulled the covers closer around her, trying to find the right words amidst the confusion swirling in her mind.

"Where have you been?" he asked, his tone a mix of sleepiness and curiosity. She could sense the underlying tension, the questions that lingered just below the surface.

"I went out with Tilly and some friends. It was... fun," she said, hoping to keep her tone light. The weight of the night pressed down on her, but she didn't want to burden him with the details of her evening.

Evangeline's heart raced as Ben pulled her closer, her back pressed against his chest, the familiar warmth of his body wrapping around her. The scent of him—woodsy and comforting—washed over her, evoking memories of happier times. But the tenderness of the moment was quickly overshadowed by the nagging tension that lingered between them.

"I'm sorry," Ben murmured, his lips brushing against her neck in soft, gentle kisses. Each touch sent shivers down her spine, igniting a warmth that momentarily pushed away the uncertainty and guilt coiling in her stomach. "I didn't mean to worry you. I just... I've been feeling off lately."

Evangeline swallowed hard, her heart torn between the affection she felt for him and the unspoken frustrations that had begun to build. "It's okay," she said softly, though her voice trembled slightly. "I just needed some time with my friends."

"I get that," he replied, his breath warm against her skin. "I've just been stressed with work and everything. I didn't want you to think I was being distant on purpose."

She closed her eyes, momentarily lost in the sensation of his kisses, the way they made her feel cherished. Yet, beneath that warmth, she could still feel the chill of their earlier conversations—the distance that had crept between them in recent days, especially since his return from the trip.