Painting

Chapter 39

I'm back in my room. I am really scared to see the text, Teddy sent me. Tyler told me I shouldn't worry about it, but I can't help it. I'm seriously concerned about him knowing where I live. What if he ambushes me? Seriously June? An ambush? He is not the FBI. Stop worrying. Think about something else. Something that makes you happy. Tyler and Victor? No! Now is not the time to... Well, you know what.

I could open the text, I'm sure it's nothing that bad. Teddy knows that I am not alone anymore. I think Tyler and Victor made it pretty clear, the last time. Now let's see it.

Teddy: I've been thinking a lot about you. A lot. The things I would do if you were there with me. I would make you sit in my lap, while I'm watching something on Netflix and watch you fall asleep. Where are you?

That's not so bad, but now he will know, I read it. He is probably siting there waiting for my answer. Before, I do that, I should probably get dressed. I'm still holding the white sheet against my chest, laid down on the bed. It is comfortable, though. I can just wear leggings and a hoodie. No need for underwear.

I get up and take the two I brought. I put the oversized one, on. Black leggings and I'm all settled. I take a deep breath and think of a response. It should be nice and direct. Quick to understand. Should I say I'm flattered? No. That will just give him hope that there is a chance we might get back together. I'm not mean. I hope he is not fantasizing about me. Who am I kidding? Of course, he is. We're talking about Teddy, my ex boyfriend. What if I say that he can go **** himself? He would get angry. We don't want that. He might just increase his efforts to find me. Then what am I suppose to say?

I hear a distant conversation. I hear Victor with an angry tone. That doesn't happen often. He is always so calm and reserved. Tyler is talking with a soft voice, trying to calm him down.

-He texted her again?!

-Nothing too serious, don't worry and keep it down, she might hear you.

-I don't care if she hears me. I want to protect her. That guy is out of his mind, I don't want him to get anyway near her, again.

-I know me too, but let's not loose our temper.

Victor takes a deep breath.

-So what exactly did that sick fuck sent her?

-Like I said, nothing too serious, only suggestive. It wasn't sexual.

-You just said it was suggestive.

-I know, she might have not sensed it.

-Of course she did! June is not dumb, Tyler.

-You are right.

-Now, what do we do?

-We let her deal with this on her own, but we give her support and only intervene if it gets really bad. Like if he threatens her or something.

-Okay.

Tyler walks back into his room and Victor walks toward mine. I quickly put my headphones on and blast some music. I take a notebook. The notebook, I write all of my ideas in. I sit down on the bed. He leans on the door frame.

-Would you tell me, if something was bothering you?

-Yes, of course.

-Good. What are you writing?

-Poetry and ideas.

-Can I see?

I show him the last one, I wrote. He reads it with attention.

-I really like it. You could publish if you want. It would be my pleasure to publish it.

-Maybe, one day. Now, I'm too self conscious.

-I understand. I won't bother you with that if you don't want to.

He slides his fingers in his hair.

-Have you answered, yet?

-No, I haven't.

-What are you going answer him?

-I don't know, yet.

-You could, not answer at all.

-If I do that, it's going to be worst.

-If you say so.

I look at the ground and slide my fingers in my hair.

-I don't know what I'm suppose to do.

My voice breaks a little. I take a deep breath.

-I'm scared.

Tears run down my cheeks, out of my control. Victor opens up his arms.

-Come here.

I walk toward him and put my head on his shoulder.

-Don't go.

-I won't, don't worry.

-Everything is just, so complicated. The world is loud and people have so much expectations.

-I know. Why do you think we bought this cabin? The city is loud, when we are at our condo in the city, I can't sleep without my headphones on.

-You sleep with your headphones on?

-Yes. Do you?

-Only when I want to quiet the world. I put some rain sounds and all of the sudden, everything is alright. I don't have an ex boyfriend that works for the FBI, I don't feel like garbage and I have an idea of where I'm going. Even, if I really don't.

-Why do you feel like garbage?

-Seriously, I don't even know myself.

-I don't know where I'm going either. I had a rough start. It is still rough, but these days, something is making it smoother. More manageable.

I look at him, a gentle smile lights up his face.

-There you are.

-More manageable?

-Yes, more manageable.

I bite my lower lip.

-Don't bite your lip.

-Why not?

-Because, I might have to bite it back. I wonder what a goddess like you would taste like.

I feel the heat coming up to my face.

-Sorry, I didn't mean it like that. I can feel your heat through your hoodie and my shirt.

I cover my face with my hands.

-You don't have to be embarrassed.

I hear Tyler in the hallway.

-What is going on here?

We open our arms and he walks toward us. He takes us in his arms too.

-I don't know what happened, but you guys are warm.