Loving Lucian ✅

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Peyton James

Lucian was gone longer than I thought he'd be. He wasn't supposed to be gone this long. When he left, he was shaking, his muscles were flexed, and the veins in them were close to popping out. I wasn't even going to tell him to leave. I didn't really want him to leave, I wanted him to apologize sincerely and try to be less hotheaded with as much effort as he did with his insensitivity.

I've never made him so angry with just one conversation before, and never have I ever insulted him like that. I've called him an ass before, but 'bitch' is taking it to an entirely different level. You never call a man a bitch. Unless he's okay with it. And I think it's obvious that Lucian Montenegro is not okay with being called a bitch.

I thought about our fight over a hundred times, and I still felt no need to take back anything I said. Except for maybe the bitch part, but that's just my easy guilt picking at me. I've said it before, I hate conflict.

And Lucian is the epitome of conflict! That's the only thing I'm not 100% in love with!

There was a soft knock at the door, and I walked to look through the peephole. I hesitated to open it, and leaned my back against the door silently.

"You weren't supposed to be gone that long." I whispered almost inaudibly.

"I thought you wanted me gone." He said from the other side of the door.

Seriously, how can he hear that well?!

"I wasn't going to say that. Why'd you come back?" If you were that pissed at me?

"Isn't it obvious? Peyton, I love you. I know it doesn't seem like it, but I can't stand knowing that I made you unhappy. I'm sorry. I don't do it on purpose, it's harder to control than you think." He said with clear remorse in his voice.

"But you'll work on it? That's all I want. Just your effort. I don't want you to change, I'm not asking that. I couldn't imagine a drastically different Mr. Montenegro, that's weird. But just tweak the things that cause conflict."

"I will. I promise." He swore. After a moment of silence, he chuckled breathily. "I didn't grab my key when I left..."

"Oh right, duh, that's why he knocked, Peyton." I muttered to myself, turning around to unlock and open the door. He smiled at me apologetically, taking my hand and kissing the back of it.

"And forgive me for hurting your stomach before. I didn't know that I was doing it. I'd never hurt you if my life depended on it." He said seriously, seeming sad by the thought of hurting me.

"It's fine. You were annoyed at me, which isn't what pissed me off. If you're annoyed over something reasonable, don't worry, it doesn't bother me. And sorry for rolling my eyes at you. And calling you a bitch, that's the worst thing I've ever said to you."

"Not to me. To me, the worst thing you've ever said to me was 'I quit'." I knew he hated the memory of that day. He hated what he said, he hated that I quit, he despised the day I quit.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and hugged him. He was caught off guard, but hugged me back tightly after a second. "I love you so much." I said, muffled by the collar of his t-shirt.

"I love you too." He sighed, content with our make up. He was silent for a second, then he laughed. "Damn, you called me a bitch."