Sip by Sip

Chapter Thirty-Nine: Atta Girl

    "Juliana is moving in with me!" He exclaimed cheerily when he entered the shop.

    She got up, walked past him, and out the door. He stared after her in astonishment.

    "Gemma?" He whispered, confused, an anxious feeling churning at the pit of his stomach. He rushed out after her, met with the frigid air once again.

    She was standing, leaning her shoulder into the wall of the coffee shop, her head tipped back to rest against the brick. She looked exhausted, and extremely distraught.

    "Gemma, I . . . "

    "He won't leave me alone." She whispered in a choked voice, her eyes focused on the sky to keep back the tears. It hurt him in a way he couldn't describe, to see her so near to crying. "He won't leave me alone, Noah."

    "Jason?" He asked, even more confused. He thought she was upset about Juliana moving in. He thought for a moment . . .

    She nodded, still not meeting his eyes. "He's a drunk. He's a fucking drunk. That's why he didn't show. He's . . . "

    His eyes were wide, and intense with worry. She looked away. "What happened?"

    "He was drunk, and shouting, and intruding, and shouting some more. He was terrifying. I felt . . . " She choked on a sob, before continuing in an angry whisper. "Fucking trapped. God Noah, I felt so fucking trapped. Trapped in my own home."

    "What did he do to you?" He demanded, his tone dark and heavy with rage. His eyes were pleading, pleading that she was okay.

    "Nothing." She took a shaky breath. She sniffled, and looked up to him a bit guiltily, "I hit him over the head with a flower vase."

    His eyebrows shot up, more impressed than surprised. The angry glint to his eyes faded a bit knowing he hadn't hurt her. "You what?"

    "I knocked him unconcious, and dragged him back to his room." She said, before hinting a small smile. "Good thing I'm not helpless."

    He smiled softly at her, and took her in his arms. He knew he was breaking the 'no touching' rule more than ever before. But he had broken almost every other rule anyway.

    She nestled into his jacket, his breath warm against her neck. His chest rumbled against her cheek when he spoke, warming her frozen skin. "Atta girl."