Texas DayDream

Chapter Twenty-One Protection

I try to hide the surprise in my face the best I can but the mask is just not quick enough. Roz notices first with my expression around the room. I'm confused and yet excited by the whole idea. Her gaze tells me that she doesn't want any of us to go ahead with the idea. She clearly stated that to Liam and Adam and probably even Leah at one time or another.

Roz seems like she's that kind of person. She's selfless.

Over the time I've spent in her house, I know that, there isn't a single question of doubt or not I'd help. There isn't a single moment in my life where I ever did anything for anybody else. Not even a single moment I risked anything for anyone else but Marcus. He wasn't even worth the effort. I've come to that realization.

"We should go after the Jewelry store." Leah's sudden moment cuts me back into the conversation. They had been talking and I wasn't paying attention.

"No.." Liam says " not enough money there."

"It's less security and less need for guns." Leah adds giving Liam a look.

"We'd have to find someone to take the gems Leah." Adam suddenly says from next to me. I was unaware that he was standing that close.

"Guns aren't an issue." Liam adds. "neither is security."

"Bull" Leah scoff at him.

"We want money not gems." Liam says getting closer to Leah, leaving Roz to watch everyone exchange ideas.

I got closer to Roz and sat down on the seat next her right bed side. She looked over at me; her frail demeanor, made me worry even more then I did before. I'd do anything for Roz. She was like my sister. Somehow I had grown to love her. Love her more then I loved anyone. She was kind and sweet and didn't deserve anything bad to happen to her.

The years of ruining my own body made me feel guilty. If I had not been such a shitty person maybe I could have been a match to Roz. Maybe it was a one in a million shot but what if I was and I fucked up my body. That was my fault.

"Don't let them..." Roz whispered at me, making my head turn and my eyes connect with hers.

"Don't let them what?" I asked softly. everyone else was arguing they pretty much forgot about Roz even being in the room.

"What they plan." She said. She rested her head on the pillow next to her face. Bring a soft smile to her lips. "Don't let them."

"I can't promise that." I replied bring my arm closer and holding her hand tightly.

"You know we can't just let you die Roz." Adam said from beside me.

The argument had come to a halt. Leah was in the chair by the window with Liam standing behind her rubbing her back. I had been so consumed by Roz that I had not heard what they had said or even what the plan was.

Adam came up behind me and stood close over the back of my chair. Adam didn't often get close to me. He didn't make it a point to do much of anything. He didn't try to make moves on me. Sometimes I felt insulted. Other times it made me feel good. The concert was the first real time he ever did anything for me. Held me and made me feel different then I ever felt before.

His close proximity made me feel nervous and looked back at Roz again. Her eyes held a knowing smile. I smiled at her. It was then that a nurse came in and ushered us all out. Visiting hours were over and we all had to go. Even Liam. Since it was intensive care they would have staff on call twenty four seven so the need for family to stay all the time wasn't important as it would have been somewhere else in the hospital. Liam argued that he wanted to stay but he was abruptly given a disapproving look from the nurse who said if he didn't leave she'd call security.

Adam got him to leave with a hand on his shoulder and a shove in the direction of the door. We all said our good bye's to Roz and filed out of the room. Walking down the long hallways and out to the parking lot. We all climbed into the car and I sat in back with Adam. Leah was shot gun with Liam driving.

Like it normally went.

Unless Roz was with us then she sat next to Adam.

Her protector.

He was now my protector too. I noticed that about Adam he held that big guy body like he was meant to guard the world. He just had that personality. At least I thought he did. Liam was another story he was guarded and secretive. He seemed far more dangerous then Adam was. But then again when I saw how he was with his little sister I knew he couldn't be all that bad. Unless, of course, you did something to her.

Then you were probably as good as dead.

We got closer and closer to Adam's town. I didn't know where I would be staying normally I stayed with Liam and Roz. But with Roz not being home I didn't know that I wanted to stay at her place with her drunk father. Soon we arrived at Adam's and he got out pulling me along with him. I had not even noticed that our hands were laced together until I felt the tug of him pulling me from the car. I got out behind him and he pulled me along to the front door. Liam had reversed the car and took off down the dirt road leaving us behind in the darkness.

Adam had stopped on his lawn. I turned to look at his house and it was dark. I wondered if his mother was home. I figured she wasn't considering it was like four am by now she'd have been blowing up his phone with worry calls by now. She must have been out of town again for him to bring me home.

I slide my gaze back to his and his eyes searched mine.

"You know I'm going to help right?" I said softly my voice raspy from not talking for such a long time on the ride home.

"You're not." He replied putting his warm hand on my cheek.

I curved my face into his warm hand and savored this moment. No one was ever this sweet to me. No one ever made me feel so good inside. I felt the moments of pleasure sure the moments were over quickly. Gone as soon as they arrived and I'd be gone in a heart beat. This wasn't one of those rushed heated moments.

This was something different.

I didn't know what but it was.

"I will." I replied looking deeply up into his eyes. "You can't stop me either."