there for me (shourtney)

xxxvii.

shayne's pov -

The party slowed down around midnight. Jax and his family headed home well before most people to put the kids to bed. Courtney and I said goodnight to them, promising to bring over leftovers for lunch tomorrow.

Sarah and Claudio were the last ones to leave, wandering up from the beach ten minutes to midnight. 

"I'm sorry." Sarah apologized. "Rarely do we get the chance to come out here." 

Courtney smiled and hugged her. "You guys are welcome here any time." 

They departed soon after, leaving their well wishes. And then, it was just Courtney and I. She yawned as she closed the door behind Sarah and Claudio. Stumbling up the stairs.

"I'm tired, baby, can I change then help you clean up?" She gripped the railing and lifted herself up the last step on to the main floor.

"Go to bed." I said softly. Pulling her into a hug. "It's been a big day. Just go sleep. I'll get the rest." 

I felt a weak nod in my chest as she pulled herself to stand on her own. I pressed a kiss to her forehead and guided her for a few steps toward our room. Her feet tired and shaky.

Once I heard the bathroom door shut, I started to surface clean. Pitching paper plates and throwing silverware into the dishwasher. 

Heading out to the deck, I picked up some empty beer cans and bottles, briefly casting a glance at Jax's house. The house was dark. I smiled. Thank you.

A shout from the beach caught my attention. I couldn't tell from who, or from which direction, but I heard it again. Another yell, followed by laughter. Getting closer to our beachfront. In the dim light cast on the shore from the house, I could make out three guys stumbling down the beach. Yelling and laughing at each other. All of them dressed in similar outfits. Tanktop and board shorts.

"Hey!" One of them shouted. I couldn't tell if it was directed at me, but I went back inside. With a newfound and sudden sense of urgency, I hurried down the staircase, rounded it, and locked the door to the lower deck. Turning off all the lights downstairs on my way back up. 

Getting back upstairs, I could hear them clearly now. I dimmed the kitchen lights. Cursing myself that I didn't flick off the deck lights. A sharp yell pierced the air, and I moved over to the door and slid it shut. Glancing back at the bedroom, I noticed the bathroom door still shut, so I walked over to the room and closed the door. 

A knock on the sliding glass door made my skin crawl. Fuck no. I turned around to see the three guys from the beach, well past sober, separated from me only by a glass door. One of them waved me over. This is how you end up on 'I shouldn't be alive', Shayne. Don't go.

I headed over. Opening the door only a crack, my foot keeping it braced so it couldn't open any further.

"What's up, guys? My family and I are trying to sleep." I said. My voice low and steady. I heard something shift in the house. I hoped it was just Courtney getting in bed.

The guy closest to me put his hand on the door, trying to open it further. I held it shut, gripping the handle. 

"Hey, back off." I said. Staring into his eyes.

"Relax, bro." He took a labored breath. "You got any booze?"

"No." I watched his movements carefully. One of the other guys started to knock on the glass door.

"Guys, get the hell off my property." I said. Starting to get irritated, I bit my tongue.

"What about weed? You got any weed?" The guy closest to me asked. Pleading. 

"I'll call the cops." I hoped the threat was enough to scare them. I heard the door open behind me. Courtney, please, no. 

"Shayne?" She mumbled. "What's going on?" 

I didn't look at her. I wasn't going to risk letting them out of my sight. Not even for a second.

"Courtney, go back into the room." I lowered my voice. My muscles flexing as I heard the guys outside shuffle to catch a glimpse of her.

"Who are they?" She asked. Unaware of the situation.

"Courtney - please just -" I was cut off my the closest guy.

"What a pretty girl." He sneered, looking over my shoulders. "Pretty face."

"Shayne?" Her voice steadying out. I heard her feet shuffle closer, my body instantly stiffened. An urge to protect her screamed in my ears.

"Go back to the room." I didn't hear her move. "Now. Do it now." Her steps got quieter, then the sound of a door shutting finally registered. She's safe.

"Didn't need to do that." The closer guy said. 

"Get the hell off of my deck, or I will call the police." I gritted out. "I'm not playing games." Not with her. A brief image of Kora and Jude running around the house flashed behind my eyes. I shook it off. They're safe at home.

"It's not worth it." Said the guy who'd been quiet. "Let's just go. Bars gotta be open on the pier." He stumbled over his words, pulling at the other two's shirts.

As soon as the closest guy stepped away, looking me up and down before snapping his teeth, I shut the door. With more force than needed. Locking it, and drawing the curtains tightly shut. I dismissed the deck lights as a project for tomorrow as I shut off all the lights on the floor. Leaving the house in complete darkness as I felt along the walls for the door to our room.

Opening it, I stepped inside. Shutting and locking it behind me, I found Courtney laying on her side, facing away from the door, toward my side of the bed. The rise of her hip not covered by the sheets. I stripped right there. Taking off my shoes, socks, shirt, shorts, and leaving myself in only my boxers, I climbed into the bed. Not caring if I was on her side.

She lifted her head slightly, looking over her shoulder at me.

"Are you okay?" Her voice grumbly from exhaustion. 

"Yes." I said plainly. Not wanting to elaborate. I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her back tight against my chest. One arm shielding her torso, the other in the crook of her neck, acting like a pillow. I buried my face in her hair, nuzzling close to her. Just let me hold you.

"I love you." She said, picking up my hand around her stomach to kiss before placing it back and holding it. 

"I love you too, Courtney, so, so much." I hummed into her ear. I adjusted her body closer against mine as we both drifted into a deep sleep.

-

some drama! idk if i exactly liked writing 'suspense'(?) like that, but hey, why not experiment?