The 20 Year Old Virgin | Herophine

Chapter 45: Apologies Over Tea

Jo

My phone buzzes on the bedside table and I carefully wiggle myself out of Hero's arms, grabbing my phone and squinting as I read the message.

From Mercy: I've done what you asked of me, Jo. Meet us at Berners Tavern at 12.

I sigh in relief. Oh, thank god for Mercy. I quickly type in a reply.

To Mercy: Thank you so much, Mercy. I owe you.

The bubbles immediately pop up signalling Mercy typing a response.

From Mercy: No, I owed you. Thank you for standing up for me like that Jo. You truly are the best. I hope everything goes well for you later.

I hope so, too.

I quietly head to the kitchen and prepare our breakfast. Hero needs to eat if he wants to survive that football camp he's attending today, which I am grateful for. His time away is the perfect time for me to sneak out and meet Mercy. I hate keeping secrets from Hero but this one isn't something he needs to know just yet. He'll know once I iron everything out. Which I am determined to do today.

I fry up some eggs and hashbrowns and some bacons while toasting bread and brewing coffee. When I finish everything up, I wake Hero up and force him into the shower. He looks a lot better than he did yesterday after that confrontation with his mum but I could still see the shadow of weariness on his eyes. He's spent years bottling up his trauma and in one instant, it all bursted out. It wasn't easy, that's for damn sure, but I'm happy he finally said something. It's the start to the healing process, I suppose.

Who am I shitting?

I don't know anything about those psycho bullshit. All I care about is Hero's well-being. It's the most important thing for me-that I see him happy.

Once he's showered and dressed for football, we sit around the table and eat our food quietly. I don't want to say anything unless he decides on a conversation for fear that he might close in on me. I could see him lost in his thoughts across from me.

"What are your plans while I'm out today, babe?" He finally breaks the silence and I smile.

"I'm meeting Mercy for lunch," I tell him vaguely.

He nods, seemingly satisfied with my answer. "I'm glad you're getting along with her."

"I am, too."

"It just sucks that the rest of my family-,"

"Hero, please," I cut him off immediately.

He throws his fork, hitting his plate with a loud clang which makes me flinch. "Well they are!" He growls, his jaws clenching and his hands fisting on top of the table. It's very rare that I see Hero this mad. He's always been the calmer one between the two of us. But when it comes to this-his family and the way they've been treating mine and Hero's relationship-he very easily turns to aggression.

I can't stand looking at him when he's like this and I feel completely helpless. So I stand to my feet, bringing my plate to the sink. "You're gonna be late," I tell him, wincing at the way my voice wavers. I hear him drag his chair and moments later, he engulfs me in a tight hug from behind, resting his chin on my shoulder.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you baby," he softly whispers. "I'm just... mad. Mad at how they're treating you so unfairly," he explains, sighing in exasperation.

"It will all work out, love," I say in assurance but more to myself than to him. "You should really get going," I remind him again.

"I don't want to leave you," he confesses.