Otis Langston
"Explain this" I demand.
"Explain what?" Hazel murmurs.
"Hazel! Look at me and explain why the hell did you think it was a good idea to sneak out without anyone's notice?!" I question. She cowers.
"Well you wouldn't let me go....so I just..."
"You just what Hazel" I take a deep breath before I plunge in and hug her.
"You scared the shit out of me yeah? I know that I'm imposing too many rules in your life but....no matter what you should never do that again, can you promise me?" I ask softly. She sighs before nodding and hugs me back.
"I'm sorry" she apologizes. Rome and Lucy watch from the doorway with small smiles on their faces.
Once I tuck her in I go back to my room and Rome follows.
"Why do you keep following me?" I ask.
"I just wanted to tuck you in" he says nervously.
"Tuck me in? What am I, four?" I scoff.
"You know....just to know if you're okay" he murmurs.
"Yes Taylor I am fine. Can you please leave now?"
"Hmm ok... goodnight" he smiles and leaves. He must've been a puppy in his previous life.
I fall asleep the moment my head hits my pillow. What a day....
~~~
The next day I wake up to my daughter yelling from outside.
"DADDD wake up, we're LATE!!"
"Oh my god. I'm coming I'm coming, give me a second" I rush into the bathroom.
Well, we ended up being very late. Thanks to me. I had to talk to Hazel's teacher and then get scolded my boss for being late and then I had to call my mom to come pick Katie because the daycare was closed for today which they didn't even think was important to inform me.
"Hii, how was your day?" Rome greets me that evening.
"Like shit" I say as he takes my bag from my hands and help me to the car.
It's been like this since a few days, he brings me a bottle everyday takes my bag and helps me to the car and chats with me about his day and my day. It's almost like he became my.....bodyguard. Yeah.
"Mine too. Can you believe that the people I had to pick up bitched me in front of the whole town because her dress accidentally got stuck in my car?! Like what is wrong with people?" He complains all the way. I nod my head in agreement to whatever he was saying.
I do like listening him talk but I zone out a few times. He doesn't seem to mind as he continues blabbing. His conversations are endless, no matter the situation or the time or the mood he has something to say.
Hazel gets into the car with a frown on her face. She doesn't greet me or Rome.
"Hey sweetheart how was school?" I ask.
"It was fine" she mutters.
"What happened?" Rome continues.
"Well, Ailee's parents went and complained to the principal about me, about how I was lying to my parents and that I was a bad influence on her kids" she scoffed.
"Excuse me?!" I snap. That woman is done for. If she has problems with MY daughter she has to come talk to me. Not humiliate her in front of the goddamn principal who doesn't have anything to do with this!
"Don't worry Hazel, I'll talk with her ok?" I tell her.
"Yeah whatever I'm fine"
~~~
Rome asked me out for a coffee. I obviously refused and he had been pouting the entire freaking day. He was definitely a puppy.
"Okay I'll see you guys tomorrow bye bye" he waves us goodbye without making eye contact with me. God, this man.
"Why is he leaving so early?" Mom asks.
"Maybe he has something to do" I answer as I send an apology email to my boss which he asked me to write. Who forces and apology out of someone? I already apologized this morning.
Later that night, Rome texts me saying he was bored. I text him back saying that I was busy as I continue the extra work my boss has assigned me. It was around 3 when I could finally sleep. Rome texts me
Taylor
Are you done?
Me
Yeah....what are you doing up this late?
Taylor
Waiting...
Me
For?
Taylor
Someone who was too busy to get a coffee with me :)
Me
Sounds like a dick to me.
Taylor
He's a sweetheart <3
I scoff at his words.
Me
I think it would be better to describe you as a delulu than to call him a sweetheart.
Taylor
I'd rather be a delulu than call him a dick :)
Me
I'm going to sleep, goodnight Rome.
Taylor
Sweet dreams sweetheart <3
I smile. I change into my PJs and go into a peaceful sleep.
~~~
Rome Taylor
It's been almost two months since I've been working for them and it's been my happiest two months. I like spending time with Otis and Lucy too. They're so much fun. Well, otis maybe not but honestly, when are crushes not fun?
It was my 24th birthday today and I was super excited. Maybe I could finally convince Otis to hang out with me. I could also have a playdate with Lucy. God I'm way too excited. Except Lucy nobody else knows that it's my birthday today.
"Hey look the birthday boy is here" Lucy teases as she feeds me a piece of cake.
"I made it" she says proudly.
"I helped!" Hazel adds.
I chuckle and pull them into a hug as I thank them gratefully. Just then Otis comes down, and frowns as he glares at me.
"What's going on here? Hazel come on we should get going" he says as he hurries outside pulling Hazel away.
"Dad it's Rome's birthday!" She tells him.
"Okay well. Happy birthday Rome. I'm kind of running late, so can we start?"
I was really hurt. Very very hurt. I thought I could use my birthday as an excuse to get the princess treatment from him.
I drop them off as usual and come back home to see Lucy decorate the entire hallway. There was a banner wishing me with small animal stickers surrounding the banner. I squeal as I hug her once more.
"Thank you so much for this!!" I say.
"Let's get this started then. I ordered all your favorites, come on"
I had the craziest time ever. All my favorite food and we lazed around and watched modern family. I asked Otis if he could leave Katie home today since Lucy isn't going to work but he refused.
In the evening Hazel called me.
"Hey, my class was done early today can you pick me up?"
I agree and get ready to pick her up. So far so good. Or so I thought.
YOU ARE READING
Defiance
RomanceOtis Langston has just settled into his new house with his two kids and his mother. His kids are his motivation to live, he values them more than his own life. His mother is quite worried if he'll ever open up his heart again....well to answer her...
