A Deadly Affair

Thirty-Four

The highway is dead, save for a few cars. Ryan drives stoically, and everyone else is dead quiet too. Lots of different emotions are flying around the air in the car. I can't feel anything; it all feels like a nightmare that I've just woken up from. I get the feeling Josh is having the same experience; while Maya is lost in thought- I imagine it's hard for her to understand that's what her Dad was like, the life she would have grown up in had he not been sent to prison. While Ben and Skye are obviously so relieved; Ben plays with Maya's hair, seeming content, while Skye listens to music on her phone and stares out the window, as content as Ben. Ryan on the other hand, is not as obvious about what he's thinking; I'm curled in the passenger seat, my body turned to him, and my heavy eyes studying him. I'd give anything to hold his hand, or touch his cheek, but I've decided to leave him alone to his thoughts. I can't begin to imagine what he's probably feeling. 

Something loud interrupts the silence, followed by Ben's chuckle; I look behind me to the back seat to find Maya's red face and Ben's boyish grin. I send her a sleepy, yet amused smile; her stomach always growls at the most inopportune moments.

"Ry, pull over at that Huddle house." Ben suggests, kissing maya's cheek and causing her embarrassment to ebb. I turn, catching Skye's eyes, who sends me a half smile, so much like Ryan's it's crazy; I smile in return as Ryan takes a right, turning into the parking lot of the Huddle house. I resist the urge to frown at the establishment; bathed in bright yellow and moonlight. I hate twenty-four hour diners. I detest the dark mood in them, and the smell of the coffee they use. Everyone else piles out, but I stay put, not wanting to move as my exhaustion gets the best of me; I'd rather just stay in the car until I can go home. I don't want to move. My door opens, the cool air hitting me until something blocks it.

"Come on, baby," Ryan coaxes quietly, rubbing my back as If he's trying to get a toddler out of the back seat. I can't move, I'm too tired to even lift my head. I wave him away, letting my eyes close.

"I don't want to move." I reply honestly, curling further into the seat. "I'll just sleep while you all eat." I really don't know if my muscles will move; it doesn't help that I detest huddle house. Ryan leans in, pressing a light kiss to my hair, before unbuckling my seat belt.

"I'm not leaving you out here," He tells me quietly, turning me gently to him, his eyes understanding. Why is he so good to me? All the things he's trying to comprehend that just happened, and he's so gentle, so caring to me. I force myself to sit up, despite aching muscles and the pain that shoots through my arm; it's not fair that he always has to be the tough one. I make a mental note to take care of my cut the second I get home- it's on its way to becoming infected. "You can sleep inside. I'll let you use me as a pillow." He offers, and I smile softly up at him.

I reach up, pressing my hand against his cheek, wanting to imprint every part of him into memory. "I thought I lost you." My voice cracks, and his eyes show he feels the same relief coursing through me. "Are we safe now?" I whisper, looking into his eyes as he pushes my hair out of his face. An hour ago, I thought I might lose him, that he might be beaten to death; seeing him standing in front of me is a miracle to me I'll forever be grateful for.

"Yeah." He replies. I nod, sliding out of the car, and shutting my door. He looks down at my arm, running his finger gently along the edge of the fabric; he shuts his eyes for a second, before looking at me with repentant eyes.

I cut off his words by pressing a finger to his lips, knowing what he was about to say. "You apologize too much Ryan Phoenix." I smile at my cleverness, repeating his own words from when we first began. My heart jolts awake when his smile shines through the seriousness.

"I learned from the best."

I stick out my tongue, before reaching into the back seat of his car, grabbing his jacket that he doesn't need since he's a human heater. "Can I use this? I don't want people to stare at the bandage." I look down at the makeshift bandage, made from the ripped tee I'm wearing. He takes his jacket, wrapping it around my shoulders, and pulling me toward him with the front of it.