A Dangerous Game

Chapter 13

I wake up enveloped in his arms, the sun shining on my back. His face so close to mine that his lips brush a soft kiss on my forehead every time he breaths. I stay frozen, letting my body slowly ease out of my dreams, my muscles tightening and my eyes fluttering in the dusty morning light. I'm tempted to let myself relax into the covers once more, but now my brain is awake and already picking through my memories, reminding myself why I don't have that particular luxury. Whoever has been collecting my mother's medication will be stopping at the pharmacy today, and in only a few short hours, we'll have the identity of our killer.

Which means I'll have to tell Louis I went behind his back to talk to my father before he figures it out for himself.

My mood immediately darkens as a knot of dread forms in my stomach. I can already envision the conversation in my head, his hurt expression when he finds out I betrayed his trust and put his safety in jeopardy. The anger that will flash in his eyes as our talk swells into an argument. And then...nothing. I don't know what he's going to do, how he's going to react, or what he'll say. The only thing I can really be sure about is that the boy who took me in and who loves with his heart on his sleeve is going to get hurt, and it will be my fault.

"Haz?" Louis asks, wiping at his eyes. His voice is thick with sleep. I quickly school my features, masking the anxiety and panic running through my mind.

"Yeah, love." My voice is equally groggy and I clear my throat, testing it out. "How are you?"

"Hmmm, good, fine. What about you?" he hums, yawning into his hand. I can't resist letting my thumb trace the line of his jaw, my soft smile widening as he closes his eyes under my touch.

"Good." It goes silent again, the only sounds being Louis's soft exhales and the occasional creak of the bed. All too soon I can no longer stand the quiet, my mind too full to keep my mouth shut any longer.

"We should probably get up now," I murmur. He groans, shifting and burying his face in my exposed chest. The stubble on his chin tickles my skin but I don't move, enjoying the press of his cheek over my beating heart.

"Maybe," he sighs out, tracing circles on my wrist. "But do we have to?"

I want to tell him that no, we don't. We can just lay here all day, a tangle of limbs full of whispered words and soft kisses. But instead I summon my hard earned discipline and nudge him away, ignoring his sleepy protests as I swing my legs over the bed.

"I got first shower."

"Fuck you," he mutters, using a pillow as his new snuggle buddy. Apparently it isn't as good because he groans and shoves it over his face. "It's too early for you to be mean to me."

"Louis, despite how cute you are when you wake up," I say, earning myself a curious peek through the castle of sheets. "it's already ten, only two more hours and half the day is gone. Plus," I start to add as he hides away again. "it's not all that early, meaning your butt needs to get moving without complaints."

He drags himself into a sitting position, still clutching the pillow. "You love my butt though, you can't deny it."

I roll my eyes and turn away to hide my blush, but I can still feel his smirk on my back. He's already reverting to his sarcastic, charming self. I love both versions of him, but I have to admit that sometimes his clingy koala side can be easier to deal with.

I step into the bathroom, stripping down as the water heats up. I check it, feeling the icy cold droplets slowly start to heat up on my skin until the temperature is bearable. I step into the stream of water, feeling it pump it's warmth over my skin, already waking me up. I've just grabbed a bar of soap when the door creaks open and Louis' soft footsteps pad towards the shower. I freeze, debating whether or not to hide my body or pretend I don't know he's here, when he speaks up.