Not My Hero

The answer comes easily. “Definitely.”

Brie stirs slightly, and I notice her hand is fisted as it lies in the middle of my chest. I move mine from her cheek and slowly begin to pry her fingers open until I can press her palm flat over my shirt.

Still worried about leaving her alone with Mom, I ask, “Will you be okay to stay with my mom tomorrow while I go to school?”

Apprehension tightens her voice, “I have to go home.”

“You don’t,” I argue. “You can stay with us.”

Brie shakes her head. “It won’t be right, and my mom will get angry.”

I shift my hand to her chin and nudge her face up. When our eyes meet, I say, “She can’t hurt you if you’re here.”

With the light shining in from the kitchen, I see the concern on Brie’s face.

She doesn’t trust me yet.

“We can take it a day at a time. Get to know us, and once you trust us, you can decide if you want to move in,” I offer an alternative that won’t be as daunting as immediately moving in.

I can see she’s thinking about what I just said, and then she nods. “Okay.”

Worried for her safety, I say, “Can you wait until after school tomorrow so I can go with you to your house. Maybe if your mom sees you have someone who cares, she’ll be careful.”

Brie stares at me as if I just said the unthinkable, and then the corner of her mouth lifts slightly. “You care?” Her eyes begin to shine, and she sucks in a shaky breath. “About me?”

“Yeah.” My answer makes a tear spiral over her cheek, and using my thumb, I wipe it away. “Can I ask you a question?”

She sniffs then nods.

“Has anyone ever cared about you?”

A neglected expression shadows her face, and I can see she’s struggling not to cry, then she whispers, “No.” She swallows hard on the emotion, then admits, “You’re the first person to hug me.”

My God, it’s so much worse than I thought.

The saddest emotions well in my chest, and turning my body toward her, I wrap both my arms tightly around her. I hug her as hard as I can without hurting her.

I feel a tremble ripple through her body and wish I could tuck her inside my heart where no one would be able to hurt her again.Chapter 10BRIEWaking up, my head instantly clears of sleep when I feel Colton’s chest rise and fall beneath my cheek and hand.

Memories of last night rush through me. It was both the worst and best night of my life, and the combination leaves me feeling over-emotional.

The ordeal with my mom was nothing short of horrifying, but… afterward, being with Colton… was wonderful. It still is.

Colton said he cares about me.

The memory makes a weird sensation flood my chest. It’s something akin to finally finding a place where I belong. Not being alone anymore. It’s an overwhelming feeling.

He’s been so nice to me, and now that I’ve had a taste of safety, I really don’t want to go back home. Or to school. I want to stay right here.

I start to smell something delicious, and pushing myself up, I peek over the couch. Seeing Mrs. Lawson in the kitchen, my eyes widen, and I pat Colton frantically on his chest.

He lets out a groan, and when his eyes open, I whisper anxiously, “Your mom’s in the kitchen.”

Embarrassed that she must’ve seen us lying together burns through me. I scramble over Colton only to drop to the floor. Pushing up on my hands and knees, my wide eyes land on Colton’s grinning face.

“It’s okay,” he chuckles, still half asleep.

I sit back in a kneeling position, not able to stop staring at Colton because he looks different first thing in the morning. There’s a shadow forming on his jaw. My eyes drift over his face, and I realize he no longer looks dangerous, but instead…

Oh crap.

My hand flies to my heart that’s starting to thump faster against my ribs, and I nervously wet my lips.

Climbing to my feet, my gaze darts over the living room, looking everywhere but at Colton.

“Oh good, you’re up,” Mrs. Lawson says from the kitchen. “I made a fresh pot of coffee.”

It feels like my face is going up in flames as I mumble, “I need the restroom.” I only realize what I just said once the words are out, which makes me blush even more.

Really, Brie? You didn’t have to tell them you’re going to pee.

I rush down the hallway.

Ugh, kill me now.

Once I shut the bathroom door behind me, I lean my forehead against it and suck in deep breaths to calm down.

What was that?

I’ve always felt awkward around people, but that was different.

I rub a hand over my excited heartbeat and draw my bottom lip between my teeth.