Inside The Lines

| Chapter 22 |

Flynn's POV

I enjoyed waking up with Romee in the bed next to me more than anything. But I feared this was more dangerous than she imagined. For some reason I felt the need to give her everything. I wanted to protect her from any harm. I couldn't explain why I felt this way. Something about her made me feel vulnerable.

I wanted to know more about her. For once in my life I felt the need to invest my time in someone. She looked so beautiful as she slept, with her long brown hair sprawled out onto the pillow. Her perfect plump lips pink in color. I couldn't keep my eyes off of her.

"Take a picture it'll last longer." I hear her say, with her eyes still closed.

"Who says I haven't already?" I tease.

One of her eyes open to examine me.

"Is it time to wake up?" Her arms stretch out from underneath the covers.

"We have a few minutes."

"I need to buy new clothes." She whispers under her breath.

"Or we can break into your house." I mention.

There's a thought.

"We'll grab what you need."

"That's a crazy idea." She says. "When should we do it?"

I can't help but smile at her reply.

"During school, we'll arrive late. Make sure he's not there when we do it."

"Okay."

Her eyes are fully open now and she turns to face me with her hands under her cheek. Romee doesn't say a single word when she does this, she blinks and stares. It was so hard to read her.

What was she thinking?

"Is the mustang okay?"

"They said I could pick it up tomorrow. It should be okay for the race."

"The race is next week. Are you going to win?"

"Of course I am." I said in disbelief.

"Can I tell you something?"

I nod my head at her.

"Reece needs to win the race to keep the house. We are so far in debt that our Aunt wants to sell it and make us move to live with her instead."

I swallow the lump in my throat when I witness the fear in her eyes.

"You need to win so much more than we need to. I'd rather be shipped away than have you lose your mother."

The sincerity in her voice sends a chill down my spine. How could she care so much about a person she hardly knows?

"I'll try my best."

"Good."

          "I don't see his car." Romee looks out the window to view the front of her house. The driveway is free of his ugly ass car so I assume the coast is clear.

"Let's go inside." I said.

"We'll wait here." Collin mentions from the backseat.

I step out of the car with Romee following suite. I can't help but notice how tense she looks. I wish I could do something to ease her mind.

We approach the front door and she unlocks it with her key. To our relief the door creaks open so we enter. The inside is what I always imagined it to look like. Organized, minimalistic, although the kitchen was an entire mess at the moment. I bet Romee is the one who cleans up after Reece.