Tension (I) ✔️

XII

"Baby I'm so sorry you had to see that. You don't understand how pissed off I am right now, I can't believe he would say some shit like that! I want to go back in there and punch him in the face." Henry grumbled his fists balled up pacing around the front lawn. The air was growing colder since the sun had gone down, I held my arms to my chest trying to block out the cold but it wasn't helping. I slowly approached him and grabbed his balled-up fist then I wrapped him in a hug, he slowly wrapped his arms around me.

"Honey it's alright. Trust me I've heard worse from people." I muttered.

"But it's different coming from my dad you know? I wanted my family to like you so you can feel like you belong somewhere. I thought that he would like you, I really did. And now I feel like a complete ass hole because I brought you here." He said with slight sadness with a little anger. I nodded understanding,

"I get it, Zack. I wish your dad wasn't stubborn but we can't help that. By I really like your mom she's really sweet." I said trying to make him feel better. I looked up at him, giving him a warm smile.

"Yeah, she doesn't really care who I'm with. Do you want to stay here? We don't have to if you don't feel safe." Henry asked me concerned. I shook my head and rubbed his back. I felt a little warmer now that he was closer to me.

"I'm fine. Were fine Henry. I think I can deal with your dad for 2 more days. Plus I'm not going anywhere so your dad will have to deal with me." I stated firmly. He let go of me and leaned down to kiss me. He pulled away and gave me a bright smile,

"This is why I'm with you, Rachel. You're so smart, persistent, strong, sexy and do all of that with a confident stride. You're so beautiful." He said with a sweet smile looking me in the eyes. I grinned and kissed his cheek,

"That's so sweet Henry! I mean Zack. That's kinda weird to call you that but... thank you." I said softly I was really touched by what he said. It made me appreciate him more,

"Oh... I'm sorry about earlier. I don't know why I caught an attitude. I apologize." I added sheepishly avoiding his gaze,

"Sweetie it's fine. Plus I don't like my name either sometimes I kinda forget that my name is Zack so I feel you. But are you sure you want to stay here?"

"Yeah, I'm sure," I said with a smile. He grabbed my hand and pulled me through the wet grass. I was a little irritated by his father and the fact that both our socks were wet.

"C'mon lets get our bags then." He said dragging me to the car.

***

After the cousins arrived it was a loud reunion, all of his relatives liked me besides his father one of his cousins is gay and is married to a man and he is really sweet I can tell we will be friends in the near future. Currently, it was 3 am the house was finally quiet and everyone was asleep but me. Henry was fast asleep lightly snoring behind me, his face buried in my shoulder and his arm circling my waist. I felt slightly smothered by the closeness but I knew he was tired. I'm restless. I'm tired but my brain is too active going at the speed of light. After a few moments I realized I had to pee, I slowly move Henry's arm off of my waist then he began shifting,

"Baby where are you going?" He muttered sleepy, his voice was hoarse from the lack of sleep.

"To the bathroom," I whispered before getting up. The springs in the bed creaked from my sudden movements.

"Alright. Don't take too long." He muttered. I scoffed and rolled my eyes. I slowly opened the door and walked across the hallway to the bathroom, I did my business, washed my hands and made my way across the hallway back to his room.

I gently closed the door behind me and laid back next to Henry, he wrapped his arm around me and pulled me closer to him. He must have sensed something was h\up cause then he asked,

"What's wrong?" He asked I shocked my head.

"Nothing. I can't sleep."

"Is it because of..." I shook my head,

"No, it's not. I'm not losing sleep over your father." I snapped. I wasn't worried about his ass.

"Then what is it, baby?" He asked just as softly, I sighed and turned around to face him.

"I just- I don't know, I wish I had a family to visit or to call. I used to enjoy a family like yours when I was younger. I never understood why my life sucked. I grew up being told that my family hated me and my sister that's why we were in the system. When I was 16 Vanessa and I ran away, then I got into contract killings when I was 18 because I needed to stop selling my body for money. When Manchester asked me I took the offer." I said in a tired tone, he nodded and then gave me a questioning look.

"Wait so how did you meet Ray?" He asked brushing his fingers in my hair, I sighed and looked at the wall behind him. I knew this question would come up sooner than later.

"When I was a prostitute. He was a client of mine for about 6 months before he asked me to work with him when he found out that I was homeless." He looked at me wide-eyed.

"So y'all actually.... Screwed?" He asked me slowly. I could tell he was confused, I nodded.

"Yeah, we did more than a few times," I said. He looked at me shocked,

"What? He paid me well." I said a little offended.

"Wow. y'all have a deeper history than I thought. So do yall still mess around? If so I'm going to have a nice chat with him." He said in a dark tone. I smacked his arm lightly,

"No you will not kill Ray, he's our boss. And to your question, a little bit after he hired me we did fuck around for a while until I met Jay. He was my first love. We both love each other but never pursued a relationship, that was like 3 almost 4 years ago. We don't see each other like that anymore, we are best friends now. So don't think anything is happening between us." I explained in a serious tone, not saying we are in a relationship yet but I don't want him to think I'm cheating on him. He nodded. I could tell he was staring at me in the darkness.

"I get it. I won't kill him, but you will get the family you always wanted. You deserve it and my family will be yours when we get married." He said. I could tell he was trying to make me feel better. I smiled,

"Your silly Henry. You are thinking way too far ahead. Thank you for listening... I was afraid to tell you because I wasn't sure if you would judge me or something." he shook his head. I could tell by the movement of his head. He placed his hand on my cheek and rubbed my eyebrow,

"No. I will never judge you. You know that. When you meet me I made your life better. Didn't I?" He asked. I could tell he was smirking,

"Sure," I said with sarcasm, he kissed my forehead and pulled my head under his chin and rested his chin on my head,

"C'mon baby sleep. I'll watch over you." He muttered. That reminded me of what I said to Vanessa when we were cold and hungry under a bridge in the middle of New York City.

"Thank you."

End of chapter 12...

A/N: Hey guys! Let me know how you like this chapter! The next few chapters will be flashbacks! It will be in Rachel's pov. Alright! see you next chapter! make sure to Vote, Comment and Share!

Love ya,

Bri😁