Games We Play

Chapter Eight- The Devil You Know...

Trey

I woke up the next morning to Lori trembling in my arms.

She still appeared to be sleep but her face had this terrified pained look all over it.

"Nooo..." she whispered.

"Baby?" I spoke.

She didn't wake, but continued squirming as I held her waist.

"Mom, wake up." She whispered again as tears trickled down her cheeks.

"Lori." I said softly shaking her.

"Oh my God!" She gasped as she finally woke sitting straight up as she looked around the room.

"Hey, it's just me. We're at my aunt and uncle's, remember?" I said rubbing her back as I turned her face back towards me.

She took a deep breath and looked at me.

"I'm sorry." She mumbled as she wiped her tears away.

"No, don't apologize. Come here." I said taking her in my arms.

She exhaled and laid back in my chest.

As badly as I wanted to ask what that was about,
I remained silent and just stroked her back while holding her.

I wanted to be a safe place for her. When she was ready to tell me what all that was, she would.

After a while, she pulled away from me and got up to start putting on her clothes.

"I should be getting back. You want a ride back to your hotel?"

"Sure." I replied studying her face.

"I got you." She said folding my T-shirt that she'd slept in and handing it to me.

"Keep it." I replied getting up myself, "so what's the plan?"

"As far as?" She said cluelessly checking her phone.

"What we talked about last night?" I reminded her.

She looked up at me, "I slept on it and I honestly don't think that me leaving is a good idea. I got so much going on and I don't wanna be a burden on you with everything you got going on."

"It's decided already, Lori. I'm not leaving you in Atlanta." I said.

She rolled her eyes and sighed.