Chapter 45 Warm Again
Chapter 45 Warm Again
(ZAYNE’S POV)
I pull into the courtyard and the engine whines down to silence. her small frame hunched over like she’s carrying the weight of the world. God, I hate seeing her like this.
I get out the car and call her name.
“Brie.”
She stops and turns to meet my eyes. I hold my arms out, and give her a smile.
“Come here,” I say softly.
She hesitates at first, then slowly, she walks into my arms and I scoop her up, pressing her head against my chest.
“I don’t want you feeling sad anymore,” I murmur into her hair, tightening my hold. “You’re no longer grounded.”
She blinks up at me, those wide green eyes searching mine. “Really?”
I smile. “Really.”
“But you have to promise me you won’t do what you did today ever again.”
“I promise,” she whispers.
I set her down gently. “Now go on, head into the house.” She gives me one last look and walks toward the front door, her shoulders still a little drooped but lighter than before. I straighten up, exhaling slowly.
Aurianna steps in front of me with her arms crossed. “Zayne, can we talk for a minute?”
I sigh, but nod. “Yeah, sure.”
She looks at me, biting her lip. “Again,I… I’m really sorry for everything that happened today. I hope you’re not still mad at me?”
My eyes drop to the ground for a moment, then I look back at her.
“Honestly?” I shake my head, running a hand through my hair. “No.”
“Really?” she asks, her brows rising.
“Yeah,” I nod. “After what Brielle told me in the car, how can I stay mad at you? What kind of kid makes fun of another kid’s dead parent? If I'm being honest, I don’t even feel bad that Brielle whooped his ass.”
Aurianna chuckles. “Be careful, Beaumont… what if she hears you?”
I smirk. “She won’t.”
“But I’m still going to call the school because none of this is fair,” I continue. “If Brielle has to face suspension for two weeks, Connor has to get punished too.”
“Please,” Aurianna says, rolling her eyes, “don’t make me sit through another meeting with his parents. His mom was… kind of a raging bitch, right?”
I can't help but a laugh a little. “Yeah… she’s definitely something else.”
We walk toward the house side by side, a little more relaxed. For the first time in days, it feels like old times, when we could actually have a conversation that didn’t end in her looking like she wants to strangle me.
“You know… this is the most we’ve talked in the past five days,” I admit, glancing at her.
“Oh, so you’ve been keeping count,” she teases, arching a brow.
I stutter, because of course I have. Every day, every car ride, every moment I’ve sat next to her without speaking has been counted in my head. I open my mouth, but she cuts me off with a laugh.
“Relax, Beaumont. I'm just teasing you,” she says.
We reach the staircase, she pauses and gives me a light smile. “See you later, Beaumont.”
I watch her climb the stairs with a little spring in her step, and I can’t lie—my chest feels lighter, warmer.
I’m more than happy that we’re talking again. Joking again. Maybe, just maybe, the ice has melted.
I just hope I don’t screw it up this time.
—
Later That Evening….
(AURIANNA’S POV)
I step out of the shower and dry my hair off before slipping into my nightwear and jumping into bed. The cool pillows sink around me, the sheets soft against my skin.
Finally, I can rest after a mentally and emotionally stressful day.
Just as I settle in and slowly start to drift off, there’s a knock at the door.
“Who is it?” I call.
“It’s me. Zayne.”
I turn toward the door and my stomach does this weird little flip.
(ZAYNE’S POV)
I stand outside her door with my hand hovering on the frame. Maybe I’m already pushing it. Just because she’s been friendly with me today, doesn’t mean the boundaries she set have blurred. She told me before to never come to her room. Just text if I need her.
I exhale slowly, expecting her to say no.
“Come in.”
Surprised, I turn the handle and step inside, closing the door behind me. I lean against it, not sure of what I should do now so I just shove my hands in my pockets.
“So… is there a problem?” she asks.
“Oh, no. I just wanted to remind you that Cameron’s fashion event is the day after tomorrow.”
Her eyes widen. “Oh… I forgot about that.”
“You’ll need an outfit,” I say, keeping my voice low. “We’re going shopping tomorrow for what we’ll wear to the event.”
“Okay,” she nods slowly. “Sounds nice.”
We fall silent for a minute, just staring at each other, waiting for one of us to speak first. The tension in the room is… weird. But not in a bad way.
I rub the back of my neck. “Uh… I… I’ll head back to my room now. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight,” she replies softly.
I turn and bump my head into the doorframe before finding the handle. I glance at her and she’s leaning against headboard with her arms crossed, a small amused smile playing on her lips. She’s teasing me without even saying a word and I can’t help but grin sheepishly.
She shakes her head, still smiling, and I shake mine, laughing quietly to myself. I close the door behind me, walking back to my room, my heart feeling a little lighter.
I don't know why I'm acting like this.
With other women, I've never had a problem playing it cool, but when it comes to Aurianna I just… lose all sense and control. I don't know if she's doing something to me or there's just something wrong me, but I like the way she makes me feel.
I haven't felt like this in a very long time.