Love & Deceit

Chapter 7: Borderline Hysteria

Pain throbbing in my temples, dry throat, the undeniable feeling that I will probably kill someone if they looked at me the wrong way; yup, I'm definitely hungover. I peeled one eye open and winced at the contact with light. Ugh...this is gonna be a long day. I was suddenly aware of the strong arms around me...and last night started coming back to me. I remember coming to see Matt and then it's a blur...oh my god...did I sleep with him?! The idea made my eyes fly open, ignoring the flare of pain this sent to my head, and being greeted with a very awake Matt staring down at me lovingly.

"Good morning, Angel."

"...Refrain from using the word good right now." I groaned.

He gave me a lop sided grin, and then brushed a few loose strands of hair away from my face. Should I ask him? Or should I stay in this bubble of false security I've created. I know I can't be with him...I know I need to find James. But will it hurt if I stay in his arms a while longer? Oh who am I kidding? Of course it will...I need to find out what happened last night.

"Matt?"

"Yeah?" he said leaning down to kiss my head absentmindedly.

"Did we...umm y'know?"

His eyes widened a fraction, and then a sad smile painted his beautiful face.

"Don't worry, we just fell asleep."

I relaxed a little, snuggling into his safe embrace, until realizing that this is exactly what I'd been avoiding. No...I need to get over how I feel about him. I have more important fires to put out. Time to shatter this bubble...I got up slowly, causing him to release me from his arms.

"I umm...I should go."

He raised an eyebrow.

"Aren't you forgetting something?"

I looked at him, confused. Forgetting something?

"Raven, you came in here last night an absolute mess. You don't usually drink that much unless something is wrong."

So that means I didn't tell him anything. Thank god. I assumed my brain didn't function properly when I was drunk.

"...Just family stuff."

He raised an eyebrow. Ugh...he isn't going to let me get away with that.

"I had a tiff with Ash."

"It was obviously more than a tiff judging by how you looked last night. What did he do?"

"...Let's just say he kept something from me that he shouldn't have."

"Oh..."

"I know I'm being cagey, but I can't talk about it."

"Nah...I get it. I just hate seeing you hurt."

I felt a wave of affection pour over me. But pushed it down quickly before I did something stupid.

"I know..."

I sighed heavily and pulled him into a quick hug.

"I have to go Matt."

He didn't let me go.

"No, you don't."

I felt a small smile creep its way onto my lips.

"I really do."

He still wouldn't let go. By now I was laughing.

"Matt come on! I really have somewhere I need to be."