Second Chance Boyfriend (Drew + Fable 2)

She shrugs one shoulder. “I would’ve figured something out. I bet Colin would’ve taken us in. I hear he lives in a freaking mansion. I’m sure he has plenty of room.”

Fuck me. I can’t believe she would say that. The guy was a total dick to me that night I first saw her, making me believe he had something going on with her, and now she’s saying she would’ve moved in with him like no problem?

“I don’t want to inconvenience you,” she continues. “First thing tomorrow before I go to work, I’m going apartment hunting.”

“Why do you do that?” I ask, my voice so low, I sound like I’m growling. But damn it, I’m pissed. “Why do you act like you never want my help? Like you can’t count on me to come through for anything?”

“Seriously?” Her voice rises. “When have you ever come through? I can’t count on anyone. No one. I’ve always taken care of myself. I’m not about to become dependent on you now.”

“Why the hell not? We haven’t been together long enough for me to come through for you when the going gets tough. But I’m here now. Offering everything I have to try to help you and you act like you could give a shit.” My blood is boiling. I’m infuriated she’s treating me like this. A voice inside my head whispers I need to tread lightly, but screw it. The gloves are coming off. I need to tell her how I feel before I explode and really lose my shit.

“I said thank you,” she whispers.

“Yeah, like I held a gun to your head and forced you to say it,” I return, flicking my gaze away from her so I can stare at the ceiling once again.

She’s quiet, I hear the rustle of the sheets and comforter and I glance at her out of the corner of my eye to see she’s curled into a ball, her shoulder shaking. A sob escapes hers and she slaps her hand over her mouth.

God, she’s crying. Probably over how I just yelled at her, like I’m some sort of jackass.

“Come here,” I whisper, gathering her in my arms. She comes to me easily, curling her arms around my middle as she rests her head against my bare chest. Her tears dampen my skin as I smooth her hair away from her forehead. I whisper soft words of comfort close to her ear, hating how despondent she sounds. She’s crying hard, her entire body shaking. I fear her heart might be breaking in two.

“I—I don’t know what to d—do,” she sobs. “I can’t believe she left us with nothing. That she didn’t tell us she was leaving.”

“It’s going to be all right.” I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, run my index finger down the side of her throat. “I swear, I’ll help you with whatever you need.”

She takes a deep, shuddering breath. “It’s not that I’m ungrateful. I just…I don’t know how to do this. Accept help from someone. I’ve always carried this load on my own. It’s hard to believe someone wants to share the burden.”

“Whatever I can do to help, I’m here. You don’t have to rush and find an apartment right away.” I slip my finger beneath her chin and left her head up. Her cheeks are streaked with drying tears and black smudges ring beneath her eyes. She never washed her face and she looks so lost, so pitiful I lean in and brush a soft kiss to her lips. “Take your time. Find a good place for you and Owen to live.”

I’d rather they stay with me for the long term but I don’t want to push. Having her brother living here with us would be…uncomfortable at first, but Fable is literally all he has.

“Okay.” She nods, as if she’s trying to convince herself. “Okay, you’re right. I do need to take my time and not pick the first apartment that’s available.” She closes her eyes, presses her lips together. “I don’t have any furniture. She took it all. Even my bed! I’ve had that stupid bed for years. It’s not even that comfortable. The mattress is all lumpy.”

I kiss her again. “She’s crazy, baby. Bat-shit crazy for taking everything like she did, and so quickly too. I honestly don’t know how she did it.”

“I don’t know either. It makes no sense.” Fable opens her eyes. “She makes no sense. I tried to stop figuring her out years ago but then she goes and pulls stunts like this and I’m left trying to piece together exactly why it happened.”

“Stop thinking about it.” I kiss her lips one more time, then drop a kiss on her cheek, her nose, her forehead. “We’ll worry about it tomorrow. You need to get some sleep.”

She nods, her eyes sliding closed and she squeezes her arms around me. “I’m sorry.”

“I’m the one who’s sorry. I shouldn’t have yelled at you.”

“I think I needed it.” Her voice is already fading and she nuzzles her face against my chest. “You feel so good, Drew. I love you.”

My heart eases. I’m reassured by her sweetly spoken words. “I love you too.”

Chapter Eighteen

Most of the shadows of this life are caused by our standing in our own sunshine. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Drew

“So she’s moved in with you.”

“It’s temporary,” I’m quick to tell Dr. Harris. I know what she’s thinking. What everyone will think, though it’s not like I know a ton of people. We’re moving too fast, Fable and I.

But it’s been almost a week since her mom abandoned her and Owen. I just can’t kick her out. They have nowhere to go. Besides, I like having Fable living with me. Owen and I have come to a somewhat uneasy truce. I know he’s not my biggest fan, but the kid is polite, keeps his room clean and doesn’t give me any trouble. Not that I believed he would.