Between You and Me

~~19~~

I stand up from Oliver's bed and pick my underwear up from the floor, sliding it up my legs then turn and look back at him. He's laying on his back with his strong arms folded behind his head watching my every move. The blankets of his bed pool around his hips, but my memory knows pretty well what lies beneath.

"Say it again."
"I love you."

My face breaks into the biggest smile I've ever shown in my entire life. I walk back to my spot beside Oliver when he pulls me to rest on top of him instead.

"I. Love. You." He kisses my face on both cheeks and my forehead in between those three special words, "But you don't have to say it back if you're not ready, beautiful."
"I will be. Just, not quite yet."
"I understand."

I rest my head on his shoulder and close my eyes while Oliver runs his fingers through my loose hair. I'm enjoying every second of this calm moment, knowing that it won't last much longer.

I feel complete again, now that Oliver and I have solved our small issue. He was hurt by my secrecy when I was only thinking of his future and what's best for him. Just me trying and failing to be a good girlfriend. Communication is more important than blind protection.

As if my phone knows the peace I'm feeling, it picks that exact moment to ring from in the pocket of my jeans across the room.

Oliver chuckles when I groan and bury my face in the crook of his neck "You could always stay right here and let it go to voicemail."
I lift my head and look him in the eyes, "You know I'd love to, but it could be my mum."

His eyes soften as I get up and head in the direction of the ringing. I was right to get up because the phone flashes my mum's caller ID.

"Hey mum."
"Sage? Where on earth are you so late?" She sounds worried, like calling me might not have been her first idea.
"I'm with Oliver."
"Oh."
I smirk in his direction, "Are you okay?"
"Of course, of course. I just wasn't sure if you'd be home."
"If I'd be home?" My eyebrows crinkle at her words, why would she need to know if I'm home?

I slowly wander back over to Oliver and sit down beside him before kissing his forehead as I listen to my mum's explanation.

"Well, I'm not home right now either, I just wanted to know if you'd be around when I am."

Something isn't right. Mum is never this vague. Could it be there's a person be that she's bringing over? If there is, who the hell could it be?

I must tense up with all these thoughts running through my mind, Oliver sits behind me and starts to massage his hands over my shoulders. It feels so nice I almost forget my mum still waiting on the phone.

"Do you want me to be home tonight?"
"I don't mind either way, I'd just like to know the whereabouts of my daughter."

I smirk again at her sudden defensive choice of words. She sure has a man she wants to bring back to the apartment, and I won't be there to block anything when it happens.

"I can stay here if that's okay with you."
"Of course, Sage. Say hi to Oliver and his family. Goodnight, I love you."
"And I love you, mum."

As soon as I hang up Oliver takes my phone from my hand and sets it on his bedside table. Next he returns to easing the many knots out of my stiff shoulders. My head falls back out of pleasure and I'm pleased to hear him chuckle at my reaction again.

"That feels fantastic. Thank you."
"You're a very stressed person, Sage. It's not healthy." He leans in and presses the lightest kisses to both shoulders and lingers on my neck.
"I'll remember to ask for this treatment whenever I'm stressing."

I turn my head and hold his cheek in my hand and peck his lips.

"I love you." He gently pulls my shoulders and rests my back on his chest, sucking on my neck, surely leaving a mark, "And now everyone will know."
"Know what?"
"That you're mine, and I don't want to share you with anyone."
I try to ignore the flutter in my chest, standing up and turn around, sitting back on his lap and resting my arms around his neck, "I'm pretty sure everyone knows I'm yours."
He smiles brightly, "But I want you to know, too."
"I do know." I whisper and kiss him for the millionth time tonight.