Betrayal

Chapter 34

I wake up in a sweat, a panic, and take deep breaths. The dream I was having, or nightmare, is in bits and pieces. It was about Warren and I. Everyone finding out about us. I know it's because of what happened yesterday with his sister. She saw us. I had my hand on his cheek and he was kissing it.

I ran away. And waited for it to blow up. For her to tell Rebecca, for the fight, the fallout. But there wasn't one. She didn't tell her. I saw her after in the waiting room. Her and Warren sitting side by side. If I had a way to leave, I would've. But I just sat there and avoided eye contact, took my turn to go in to see Dominic, and waited. That was it.

I slowly lay back down. My bra and panties are sticking to my skin. It's early in the morning. Soft light is coming in through the windows. It makes the room look pale and blue. I look at the clock. It's a little after eight. It's been two days since the accident.

I slept like shit. I kept waiting for him to come in my room. At least to talk about what happened with his sister. Or even just a text message. A conversation. It makes my anxiety worse that we haven't talked much since we sat in the cafeteria. I've chalked it up to what's happened with Dominic. It's affected all of us. There's a dark cloud over us.

I slide off the bed and use the bathroom, wash my face, brush my teeth, and throw on some clothes. I hesitate to leave the room. The house is extremely quiet. I tip toe down the hallway, seeing that their bedroom door is standing open. After a moment of thought, I peek inside.

Rebecca is asleep. Warren isn't in bed. I walk back down the hallway, down the stairs, and go into the kitchen. He's outside on the patio, stretched out in a chair, and smoking a cigarette. I hesitate to move from the island, then slowly make my way to the door. As I open it, he looks at me. His eyes are dark, his hair is a mess, and he looks exhausted. It makes me so sad to see him like this.

"Hey," he whispers.

"Hi."

I close the door behind me. He blows smoke from between his lips, then motions for me to sit. I go to the chair next to him and sit. He offers me a cigarette and I take it, he lights it, and I sigh as I begin to smoke. It relaxes me.

"You look tired," I whisper.

"I am. I didn't sleep well. Doesn't look like you did either."

"No, I didn't. Had bad dreams."

"About?"

"Um... your sister," I say shyly. "What happened yesterday."

He nods and puts his cigarette out.

"She isn't going to say anything," he mutters. "She doesn't like Rebecca. It'll be fine."

Relief seems to wash over me. Thank god. He leans forward and takes a long, deep breath. I can tell how tense he is. I want to touch him or try to help relieve his stress. I could rub his shoulders, his back, or anything else he'd like me to do. He's taken care of me when I've been hurt. I want to do the same for him.

"Are we going to see Dominic today?"

He nods.

"They are," he says quietly. "I want you to take the train and go into the city this afternoon. To the apartment. I'm going to meet you there."

My stomach flutters and my cheeks flush. Really? It surprises me that he wants to do that after what's happened. Maybe he just wants to forget about it for a little bit.

"Okay?"

"Okay."

He sits back in his chair. I look him over. His dark robe is tied loosely, hanging open, and I can see his black briefs. I stare at them, then look at his face. He's already staring at me. It's as if he's studying me and my cheeks blush hotter. There's something in his eyes. He looks... different. Sadness. Deep sadness. It makes my stomach ache for him.