Just Stay

12. Not the Brightest Idea

Zander Grey

I'm not good at this comforting shit. No one was there for me when I needed it, except for Robbie. But looking at Arianna so broken does something to me. I wasn't always a dick. I have my reasons for why I am the way I am, but that's not important right now. She is. Even if she shouldn't be, she is. The need to shield her from this pain is so damn strong. If I could take it all away from her I would.

"What do you want to do Ari?" She doesn't fight me like she always does when I say her name like that but clings to me tighter. "Just name it and I'll do it." Removing the curls from her beautiful eyes, she's fighting it, I can feel it...can see it. She is just so damn exhausted.

"I want to go home." Wiping the tears from her eyes but doesn't do shit as more fall. "I want this all to be a nightmare and I'm going to wake up at any moment." You and I have more in common than you will ever realize. Scoping her up in my arms, she shouldn't feel this right against me, but she does. "Put me down." You can fight me all you want sweetheart, but it's not going to happen.

"Let someone take care of you." Just let me do this, don't fight me on it. Slumping into my hold I cannot help but smile. Finally, this stubborn ass girl listens. Walking back towards where I parked my beat-up truck, I place her inside as if she is made of glass. "We'll figure something out." I don't know how, but I will. Fuck I feel as if I'm in middle school all over again looking at her. This shit needs to stop, nothing good will come of it.

Arianna's eyes flutter close, and those naturally long lashes still glisten from the tears she shed. My hands shake just to wipe them away again, but I ignore with every fiber in my being. Starting the truck I head to my place. I need to change and put a damn shirt on, this shirt in the back seat smells like days old locker sweat. Not really looking to take her to my place but she is in no state to be on her own, I bite down the bitterness that rages inside me.

"Ari." Lightly shaking her as I pull in my driveway those damn eyes captivate me like the first time, I ever laid eyes on her. Get your shit together man! "I'll be right back, and I'll take you home." Looking around she notices I don't live in the best neighborhood but says nothing about it. Nodding her head, I make my way to the house that has seen better days.

It wasn't always like this. My life was just like hers living in a nice house for the upper class but that all went to shit two years ago, now here I am. A door that barely hangs on its hinges as I open the door. The stench of stale beer and God knows what else my father has been up to. It fucking wreaks. Robbie is the only one who ever steps foot in this place and I would like to keep it that way. Rushing to my room I change quickly and spot a bottle of rum on the table and grab that before heading back out. I will pay for it later, but it will be worth it.

"What's that for?" Raising an eyebrow at her ridiculous question she smacks my chest. "Idiot! I'm not stupid." Then why ask the question? "Why do you have to be such an ass?" I didn't even say anything.

"I thought it could be put to good use, otherwise I would just dump it down the drain." I know I am confusing the shit out of her. Sighing I pull out of my driveway and down towards our destination. "My old man." I don't know why I am telling her this but maybe she needs this as much as I need to tell her for some strange reason. "Has a problem when it comes to booze. I rather it not be in the house."

"Does he hurt you?" 

Laughing I shake my head. "Nah! I would knock him on his ass if he fucking tried." Doesn't mean he never did, until I put him in his fucking place the last time he did. Out of the corner of my eye there is a small smile on her plump lips.

"I can picture that."

Shrugging I smile at her before looking at the road again. "Got to keep my bad boy rep intact."

"Yeah, we wouldn't want to taint that." Rolling her eyes some of her sass comes back and it makes my smile grow even more. "Zander." Her voice quivers as I pull to a stop. "Why are we here?" Shit! Maybe this wasn't such a great idea.

"Come on." Getting out of the truck quickly, grabbing the bottle and opening her door. "You said you wanted to go home." Not giving her anytime to think, grabbing her hand and making our way to the back of her place before it's not hers anymore. 

"I don't have my keys." Ignoring her I unlock her backdoor with ease. "I really shouldn't be surprised." I did this quite a bit after we were forced to move from our nice home. I wasn't ready to say goodbye at the time. So, if I can give her this, I am happy to do it. Stepping in she almost stumbles back. My hands instinctively grab hold of her waist. She shouldn't feel this perfect in my hold. "Maybe I will have that drink." I don't protest as she snatches the bottle I still have clutched in my hand and moves out of my hold. Looking around there is still pictures hanging on the walls but there is also a lot of boxes around. "Everything that was them is now tucked into fucking boxes."

Taking a swig from the bottle I snatch it and do the same before she downs the whole thing. Looking at the pictures the smile that threatens to stretch on my face tugs at the corners. "You were a ballerina?" Fuck she was cute as a child too. My younger self would have crushed on her then too. Not too, I'm not...never fucking mind.

"Fuck you!" She giggles and maybe this wasn't the best idea. "I loved dance when I was younger. I begged mom and dad..." Picking up a picture of them, her fingers stroke over their faces. "Why can't I remember?" Handing her the bottle she takes another drink. "I'm trying but it's a damn blank. I can remember everything but that damn day!"

Sinking onto the couch she takes another drink then hands it to me. "You will in time." She scoffs but I hand the bottle back to her.

"This stuff is crap." Her nose wrinkles in the cutest way as she takes another drink. Stop fucking thinking like that!

"Yet, you are still drinking it." Jumping up from the couch she rushes to the kitchen. "Arianna." Banging of cupboards have me almost to my feet to check on her but then she is back with a big smile. A bottle of tequila gripped into her delicate hand and shot glasses in the other. 

"Now this is more like it." Plopping down next to me. "Let's get this project started." I have a feeling it's not about my proposition earlier to get the assignment done. This is the first time in forever we have actually talked and when she smiles, I mirror it.

"What project is that?" I shouldn't ask and I know that I might regret this later.

"Project let's forget." Not even waiting she takes the first shot, already pouring herself a second one before I even had my first.

This is definitely not my best plan ever.