laced

three

A small sigh escapes my lips as I remove the groceries from their bags. Thank God I didn't have to walk home with these. Josh offered me a drive home and I politely declined at first, but gave in after he continuously insisted. We spent the car ride home talking about music. He showed me some of his favorite artist, and we listened to some even. It was sick.

I finished putting away everything, then pulled off my navy green coat and set it down on the old couch that sat against the wall.

I felt anxiousness bubble up in the pit of my stomach as the clock ticked. Forty-five minutes.
I have a solid forty-five minutes before he gets back home. I run a hand through my messy brown hair as I make my way up the wooden steps that led to the second floor of the house.
First, I'd clean up our room.
Next the bathroom.
I should be fine if he comes home in a good mood, maybe he'd be in a good enough mood for us to cuddle.
I loved it when he was sweet and soft with me, which wasn't very often.

••

The forty-five minutes passed rather quickly, but I managed to clean up our bedroom and bathroom in time.

I greet him at the door with a smile. He closed the door behind him maybe a bit to hard. I felt my breath hitch slightly, but releif washed over me when I receive a smile in return, along with a lazy kiss to the cheek.
He ran a hand through his overgrown, blonde, mop of hair. He kicked off his shoes and set his car keys down on the coffee table.

"Did you go shopping like I asked, Ty?", He asked, almost in a warning tone. I nodded frantically at the question.
"Use your words." He said, irritation clear in his voice.
"Yes, I did. Sorry."
I say, shrinking down a bit, glancing down at the old wooded floor. He walked over to the fridge, opening it accusingly as if I lied.
He closed it after staring for a few minutes.

"Good, babe. Thank you."
He says, scanning over my features. I nod slightly, a nervous smile curling onto my lips. The rough man makes his way towards me and my smile quickly fades, swallowing down my urge to run. He grips my cheeks in one hand, hard enough to leave a bruise.
"Use your damn words, Tyler." He spat out bitterly.
"I'm sorry-I-thank you-I-I mean you're welcome." I managed to choke out, tears already starting to slip out of my eyes.
He let's go of my face harshly, groaning.
"Stop crying before I give you something to cry about!"

I quickly wipe away the few tears,
"Yes, I'm sorry, Braden."

He sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Just go, get out of my sight, I'm already pissed off enough." He grumbles out.

"Did something happen at work?" I ask, looking at him with concern and he response wasn't so plesent.

"Did I not just tell you to fucking go! Get out of my fucking house, Tyler!" He yells out, taking a threatening step towards me and I hurry to the door, grabbing my coat before turning the knob.

"Be back before eight. I swear Tyler, you're going to regret being late. This is the second time I've let you out of the house today. Be grateful."

••

I was a bit happy getting to go outside again, although it would've been nice if it wasn't so chilly. I couldn't help but feel guilty, knowing that I was only out here because Braden was trying to protect me.

I sigh softly, stuffing my hands in my coat pockets as I walk along the concrete. It was quiet, besides the few birds chirping and the engines of cars as they drive by.

I decide to waste my time in the little library down the street. I love it there. I always go there when I have extra time before Braden gets home. I wish he'd let me read at home.
I push open the door, smiling at the familiar bell that rung.

I make my way over to the fiction section, glancing down at some Harry Potter books. Those were wonderful. I pull one of the large stories out, glancing over the title, then taking it over to one of the tables. I seat myself and open it, but before I could even begin, someone sits across from me.

"What a coincidence."
Says the boy with bright bubblegum hair.
"Is it really, or did you just want to see me again?" I teased, smiling. I couldn't quite explain it, but he felt something different with Josh. Not the odd, scared feeling he got when he was around Braden.
This was a safe feeling.

Josh shrugged, "maybe a bit of both." He glanced down at my book, a smile tugging at his lips. "Good choice" he comments, looking back at me with his soft brown eyes. I nodded, in agreement, closing the book.

••

Those last few hours were spent talking about school, what we wanted to do with our lives. We talked about family too, but I couldn't say much. Braden hated it when I talked about him, and he was the only family I had left.
I walked home quite happy, memories of me and Josh talking still buzzing through my mind. That was until I opened the door.

"Guess who's late?"

Notes: i love u all haha don't hate me