Where the Heart Lies

White Picket Fences

*Unedited*

Eric's POV

The sun was beginning to irritate the hell outta of me, I turned over to block out as much as I could and that's when I noticed when I moved I wasn't alone. Wrapped tightly in my arms was Rachelle, beautiful and sexy especially with her hair in a complete mess because I knew I was the reason it look that way. Between me gripping her hair and all she pulling while she came beneath-it's a surprise there weren't any bald patches.

How I managed to get myself into this mess I wasn't sure; I went against by better judgement and got involved with her-but she's here. After all this shit she came back and she stayed, I needed to fix this and fast, if we were to have any kind of future together.

Moving as quietly as I could, I got out of bed-looking for my phone, once I found it I stepped in the bathroom. As usual he picks up on the second ring.

"This is not as scheduled, I take it this is about the girl." The sound of his voice still grinds my nerves.

"Yes, today. This shit has to come to an end and I don't want her hurt whatever happens to me Rachelle is to be unharmed."

"I told you there is only one way this can end now-if you're calling me then I'm assuming that you agree." I thought about the beautiful woman tangled between my sheets and what I would do for her.

"Let's do it. Text me the details I'll meet you." After that I cut the call. Leaning against the counter, doubts began to form as to whether this was the right thing to do-but I saw no other option to make sure that Rachelle was as far as possible from this life.

Coming back into the room, she was awake.

"Hey you." I smiled at her

"Good Morning, you really need to think about getting thicker curtains."

"I rarely sleep here but you're right and I'll make sure that next time you have any sun in your eyes." I leaned down over her and gave her a long kiss. Her face told me something was wrong, "What's up? Morning breath." I joked.

"No, I mean it's not that. I need to leave for a while." Straightening myself I moved away from the bed and walked to other side of the room, I didn't want her to see my disappointment or anger. Grabbing a towel, I wrapped it around my waist before turning around to face her again-she was happy that I chose to cover up but she masked her disappointment and stood from the bed holding the sheet around her.

"Where are you going?"

"Eric. I need you to trust me ok. I need some time-this life is not an easy one and something tells me that choosing it means I can't exactly live my old one the same way anymore. Things are already changing and I don't hate-in fact I'm weirdly attracted to it all and that's scary for me. I need to make sure that this 100% what I want."

"I understand that but you should not be going anywhere, I'm not being jealous-I need you safe." It wasn't a total lie, I wanted her safe and her travelling somewhere I wasn't made me very uneasy. But to say I wasn't jealous, that's a lie-it hurt-I knew she was seeing that other guy but it's like I said last night I pushed her away and kept her away—I couldn't, I didn't have the right to tied her down and tell her she's mine. But God I wanted to; I wanted to tie her down right now and never let her go.

"Eric." Her voice broke through my thoughts, she took my cheek in her palms and started rubbing my stubble, "I love you-please know that okay."

"And I love you too but you're not leaving the city Rach-I need to have you where I can protect you." She began kissing me, I knew she was trying to change the subject and distract me and it's shameful to admit it was working.