Fifty Reasons to Stay (Book Three)

Chapter Thirty Four- Surprise!

(Leo's POV)

"Japanese police have recovered the remains of Katie Smith, whose body has been missing since 1991 when she was kidnapped from her own front yard. She was two years old when she disappeared, and after a twenty five year search, her body can finally be put to rest. Smith was one of twelve bodies taken and murdered by an unnamed suspect. Current reports say she may have made it to America..."

"Turn this station off.." I mumbled, half aware of the words being said on the TV. "I don't care about any of that."
Donnie poked his head out from the blanket and switched it to the local radio station. Their music sucked and if I had to listen to the same freaking song again I–

"And now for you adults who love our music from a decade back, let's play the #7 song this week in 2016... Hello from Adele."

"No." I said sternly as if the radio guy could hear me. This song became super popular right after my breakup back then and it was so cringe worthy. I hated hearing it. Today was supposed to be perfect. No sappy music. He couldn't know why though..

"Aw come on.." Donnie grinned teasingly, poking my burnt shoulder. "Listen or go outside."
Crossing my arms, I reached for the aloe on the side table and put it in his lap. "Help me out. I'm dying."

Donnie nodded. "You are a wimp."
"Was it just last week you were groaning in pain from your terrible sunburn? And which one of us took care of you? Ha." I rolled onto my stomach and waited for some relief to the pain I'd been in all morning.
He poured some aloe onto his hands and began spreading it across my sunburn, not exactly carefully. "Wear sunscreen!!"
"I did!"
"Sure..." He smacked his hand onto my shoulder and I groaned. "I put it on in the morning. But then I forgot, okay? I didn't want to be around your family for longer than I have to."
"Oh really? At least they don't breed killers." He grumbled, moving to my arms. "They like you."
"Even your annoying great uncle who keeps asking if I know how to make Chinese food?" I didn't even know if that guy was joking, either.

"Even him." The chilled aloe was really relieving me now, so I relaxed my muscles and just laid limp on the bed.

"I guess I'll behave... for you." I turned my head a bit to face him.
"Mm... you better." Donnie pecked a kiss on my cheek and rested his head on the pillow beside me, a shy smile on his lips.
"Or else what? You'll give me the silent treatment for twenty minutes?" I nudged him, getting under the blanket. It was cold. "I'm used to that."

"You'll see.." He got up, reaching for his shorts. "I'm going to the water."
"You better cover that up before you leave.." I smirked, looking him up and down. His tan line was so amusing. Pinkish and slightly tanned from the waist to the top of his head, and most of his legs, but from his thighs to his hips his skin was snow white.

Donnie blushed slightly, slipping the shorts on. "Come swim with me tonight. Serious.. you'll love it and the sun won't hurt you."
"I have other plans," I smiled, watching him dress.
"Yeah, sure." He hesitated before reaching for his long sleeved swim shirt, then stared at the mirror at his scars. "Can you just come with me.." I could see he was getting upset, which was unprecedented as I assumed he was growing used to the slightly raised pinkish skin where he'd hurt himself. Even if it did disappear, it would take longer than a few months. He needed to be patient. And yeah, I get it, he's self conscious. But he did it to himself.

When I didn't respond in time, I made it worse.  Donnie shook his head and laid back down beside me. "Forget it."
"What's this all about? You've been out there all week and suddenly you can't..? Donnie– nobody cares, you can't even notice your wrist unless you're really looking, and God, have you seen some people's chests on the beach? A little scar is nothing compared to those men with sagging, sweaty skin..."
"It not that.." He covered his eyes. When his words started messing up, it meant he was really upset, too upset to focus on it.
"Then what is it? I really shouldn't go out there with a burn like this.." I touched his arm. "Tell me."