In Between Times (Complete Novel, Mastered May 12th, 2022)

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

— Getting lost

Letter for God – Abhi The Nomad ♩ ♪ ♫ ♬

AMELIA:

I didn't have a night terror. I'm okay.

We slept in his truck. He was probably uncomfortable last night. He's just sitting in a seat that can't extend backwards. I'm literally just curled up on top of him. I'm using his jacket as a blanket to cover my bare legs. He's asleep. I'm awake and staring at him, examining the morning shadow of facial hair taking over his gorgeous face. Men can be gorgeous, too.

I smile as I rub the sleep from my eyes with the back of my hand.

I shouldn't have asked to come with him, but then again, I'm glad I did.

I can now say I really — and I mean really know who Parrish Livingston is.

And I don't know how I feel about it. I'm just happy.

I even know weird things about him, like he has German toes, and he absolutely can't fall asleep with a light on.

My parents aren't the only ones unorthodox. His are damn screwed up, too.

He used to be a whore.

He can play the guitar, and he can sing, and I just love that he's so great at singing — but he stopped playing.

An experience in school, he said. It made him stop playing, because he was abusing his talent.

He didn't really elaborate on that one. I didn't pry.

I'll eventually convince him to play again. I know he wants to. I want him to do what he wants, I just don't want him to get famous, and leave me for someone that's always nice to him or someone that he can call his girlfriend.

His mom cheated on his dad with a hot shot lawyer and didn't feel bad about it. A complete bitch, I concluded. A bitch that is stupid for not accepting the two men already in her life.

Especially her son.

I'm just trying to scan through everything he told me. I told him a lot about myself too, but there's also something I didn't tell him.

I gamble a lot. I'm good at it. It's a serious hobby. It's a very serious part of my life that I should soon enlighten him with — if I want him to stick around.

"Wake up, Parrish." I kiss his lips softly as I mumble sleepily.

"No," he grumbles.

"Please," I smile.

His eyes slowly open, and then he's grinning at me as his hands move over my skin.

"Only because you said please," he smirks.

Oddly, I shiver.

"You need to go to sleep where you're comfortable," I say.

"We have to go to work," he responds, yawning in the process.

I groan. "Let's call in."

"I need the money, sweet girl." He kisses my forehead as I scoot closer to him. I hug his neck as I turn to kiss his cheek. His hands reach my lower back, causing me to groan a different groan.

"Dammit, Amelia."

"What?" I question innocently.

"You..." he clicks his tongue. He's thinking. I'm making his heartbeat faster, and it makes me feel in control.

I really like being in control.

"Hmm?" I teasingly bat my eyelashes that are totally lacking mascara. I don't need mascara; mascara is annoying and difficult to remove.