Breaking and Entering (Reece Bibby)

Chapter 8

I woke up the next morning still in Reece's arms. Although, that was the only pleasant thing about waking up as my head was throbbing and I thought I might puke if I stood up. I tilted my head up slowly so that I could see Reece. He was still asleep, a calm expression over his face. Looking at him, I noticed that the area around his eye was a dark purple and slightly swollen, something I didn't remember being there last night.

I continued to study him, the dark circles under his eyes, the way his hair was still adorably messy, the dimple on his chin that I had the urge to kiss but didn't. I looked at his soft lips and started to wonder if it would be rude of me to kiss him awake when I noticed he was mumbling something. I couldn't tell what it was so I leaned closer.

"Wait, Ava."

Hearing my name, I leaned even closer.

"Come back. What are you doing with her?"

"Reece, " I whispered, hoping to wake him up from whatever dream he was having. "Reece?" I grabbed his arm, shaking it slightly.

"Ava!" He bolted straight up so fast it knocked me off of him.

"Reece, it's okay." I sat up quickly and reached for his arm. He was drenched in sweat. "I'm right here."

Without saying anything he pulled me into a bear hug. His body was shaking and I didn't know what to do but try to calm him by stroking his back.

"It's okay. It was a dream. Everything's okay," I said softly in his ear.

"It wasn't a dream, though." He pulled away so that he was looking at me. The calm expression he had on his face earlier was gone, replaced with what could only be described as a mix of guilt and terror.

"What are you talking about?"

He shook his head, not meeting my eyes.

"Reece, what happened last night? And why do you have a black eye?" I reached my hand up and softly touched the darkened skin, causing him to flinch away.

"I shouldn't have gone to the bathroom. Actually, screw that, I shouldn't have even brought you out for a drink. I should have just taken you home after the film."

Suddenly, the memory of my conversation with the guy from the bar came rushing into my mind. "Did he do something to me?"

"Like rape you?" Reece's eyes widened further than I thought possible. "No. Hell no. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if he did that to you."

"Then why are you so worked up about it?" I put my hand on his arm, his body still covered in sweat.

"Because he could have! That was his plan! He drugged you and was going to take you somewhere and—" his voice got caught in his throat as tears started to fall down his face again. "How can you even look at me?" The pain in his eyes made my heart hurt.

"Reece, stop. I'm fine, okay? I promise." I gave his hand a squeeze. "And by the sight of your eye, I can only assume you did whatever it took to stop him. You did nothing wrong. I should have been more careful about watching my drink. This isn't your fault."

He looked down again, not saying anything

"Reece." He didn't look up. "Reece, look at me." I lifted his chin with my hand. "Do you understand? This isn't your fault. You can't beat yourself up for it."

He looked at me with his big, green eyes and I could see how much he was blaming himself. "I just—"

"Stop it. Quit blaming yourself. Start telling yourself you're my hero. You saved me from that evil bastard and managed to get me home unscathed. If anything, I should be the one feeling bad about having you go through all this trouble for me."