Faulty Trust || Katie McCabe

17

I trailed my fingers up and down Katie's bare back in the early hours of the morning, memories of the previous night running through my head. Everything felt right for once, and my head was empty. The terrible thoughts I'd had two days ago were completely gone now; instead, Katie was the only thing I could think of. She had consumed my head all day yesterday, and now this morning, as she lay peacefully beside me.

We had training today, but I didn't have the heart to wake her because I didn't want this moment to ever end. I sucked in a deep breath when she began to stir, groaning and wrapping her arms tighter around me if that was even possible. Letting out a giggle, I placed a gentle kiss on top of her head.

"Morning, sleepyhead," I said softly as Katie rolled over onto her back, leaving me feeling cold at the loss of warmth.

The early morning sun cast down on her, the thin tank top she'd thrown on last night revealing purple marks scattered across her chest. My mouth twitched up in contentment with my work.

"What?" Katie's voice drew my eyes upwards, the smug grin growing on my face. "What's with the look?" Her confusion was clear as her brain was probably still foggy from sleep.

I lightly traced my finger across her chest, connecting the dots between each bruise. My grin was wide now as realisation flashed across her face, and with a groan, she rolled out of bed and towards the bathroom. I couldn't help the laugh that bubbled inside me as I too got up and began looking for my joggers from yesterday.

The shower turning on caught my attention, and I scoffed. She thought she could use my shower without asking? Banging on the door, I tried hard to hide my amusement. "No invite? A bit rude, no?"

"And not telling me you're a literal vampire isn't?" She shot back; I let out a loud laugh as my smug grin returned. With that, I exited my room and turned the coffee pot on, still feeling dead tired. Training was going to be rough today, but I'd go insane without it. I loved the stability football brought to my life.

It was nearly nine when Katie appeared, already ready for training. Glancing down at my own attire, I frowned; it looked like I'd just rolled out of bed while she looked like she had twelve hours of sleep and was ready for a full day. "How can one look so good?" I mumbled to myself before turning and pouring her a cuppa.

"What was that?"

"Nothing," I covered quickly, earning a raised eyebrow that made me bite my lip. "I should probably head back to mine to get ready for training." I continued, not missing the way Katie's face fell slightly before she took a sip of her coffee.

"Yeah, probably." I watched her for a moment; the way her eyes didn't meet mine, and she clenched her jaw slightly. My eyes softened at the sight as a heavy feeling washed over me. It was clear she was overanalysing what I had said. Taking it a way I hadn't meant it in. She didn't completely trust me still, and a piece of me was heartbroken by that.

I sat down next to her, setting my coffee cup down and cupping her cheek with my hand to gain her attention, which it did. Katie's blue eyes bore into mine with an intensity I wasn't sure I'd ever get used to. I glanced at her lips for a brief second, trying my hardest not to be tempted.

"Will you give me a ride to training?" I asked, not breaking eye contact as I lowered my hand to her neck, where I softly ghosted over a bruise that was visible on her neck, a smile threatening to break out across my face.

"Uh," Katie's voice was softer, clearly distracted. "Yeah, sure."

"Yeah?" I leaned in ever closer; her eyes had moved to my lips with no shame, darkening as I leaned in closer.

"Mhm." I closed the distance with a quick kiss before pulling away completely. An immediate frown forming on Katie's face. "Stop with the teasing."

I grinned, "No thanks, I quite like watching you squirm." I quipped while collecting my things and heading towards the door. Katie hadn't moved from the kitchen, still clearly deep in thought. It was unlike her, but I pushed it to the back of my mind for now.