Chapter 14 An Unexpected Knock At Midnight
Corran
It is after midnight when I finally return to my place. I have spent all day at April’s place, helping her get everything organised that she got delivered. Her flat is looking more like a home now. She has most of what she needs. There are still a few things she is waiting for over the next couple of days.
Stepping into my place, I close the door and rest against it, sighing. The place feels lonelier than it usually does. I had to leave April’s place because I was tired, and I didn’t want to end up spending the night again. I freaked out so bad when I woke up next to her this morning. Her body curled into mine tightly. The warmth of it was comforting. I ran out of there and straight to my flat. Guilt took over me, and I paced my floors a while, but then, after all of that, I calmed down. I had nothing to feel guilty about. We didn’t do anything but sleep.
I pull myself off the door and head for a shower before bed. I need to go to work tomorrow, but I promised April I would come by after and see if she needed help with anything else. She’ll be glad to finally have what she needs. Though I will miss just being able to sit on her floor in an empty room, enjoying the peacefulness. I glance around as I stroll towards the bathroom, and I sigh once again. A part of me wished I stayed with April, but I couldn’t. I can’t use her for comfort, even if it is for only sleeping.
I strip down, stepping into the shower. I close my eyes and enjoy the warmth falling over my body. I won’t stay in too long. Ten minutes and I am stepping out of it, wrap a towel around me and go to my bedroom. I sit on the bottom of the bed, letting myself dry off. I look over my shoulder at the empty bed and hate the idea of climbing into it to sleep alone again.
I run my fingers through my wet hair, and before I have a chance to do anything else, there is a knock on my front door. Who the hell is that? I swear it better not be one of my drunken friends whom I haven’t seen in a long time. I’m considering ignoring it, but another knock comes. It could be one more person. April! But why would she be knocking on my front door if I only left her place not even twenty minutes ago?
I stand, heading to answer it. When I pull the door open, I am surprised to see it is April. Her eyes fall on my half-naked body, and her tongue darts along her lower lip.
“April, what are you doing here?”
Her eyes focus on my face as she nervously rocks on her heels. “I don’t know.”
I furrow my brows. “You don’t know why you are at my front door?”
There must be a reason for it.
April opens her mouth to reply, but changes her mind. With a nod of her head, she begins to walk away mutter a sorry. I grip her arm before she can go any further and bring her back to face me. When I do, I pull her to my chest. I didn’t mean to. April gasps at the closeness between us. I should let her go, but I don’t.
I glance down at her. “April, you clearly had a reason to come here.”
Her eyes meet mine for a moment before her they divert to the ground, her cheeks turning red. “I-I-I don’t want to be alone tonight.”
Her words are shaky, clearly nervous about saying the words. I place my finger on her chin, tilting her head back to make her look at me again. She chews anxiously on her lip.
“Why did you just say that?”
“Because it isn’t probably what you want to hear, Corran.” She sighs.
“It is fine. I wasn’t too keen on the idea of staying alone. Come on in.” I smile, finally letting her go.
“Are you sure?”
I take her hand in mind. “Yes,” I say and lead us inside.
I didn’t want to be out in the hallway too long in only a towel. My neighbours will start talking. April seems to relax. I can understand why she was nervous about saying what she came for. I don’t know if it is a good idea that we start making a habit of it, but one more night won’t do harm.
“Are you sure you are okay with this, Corran? You don’t need to say yes just so I don’t get embarrassed.”
“It is fine, honestly. It will be nice to have the company. And as I mentioned, last night was the best sleep I have had in a long time. We are only sleeping. It isn’t like we are having sex.”
I regret the last words the second they escape from my lips. Way to go, Corran, make things awkward.
April laughs. “I don’t think I would remember how; it has been that long.”
I chuckle and relax, thankful I didn’t make things weird, and April saw the funny side of it.
“Me too…”
I lock up behind us and lead us to my bedroom. I excuse myself to change. I grab joggers and a tee, disappearing to the bathroom. I usually sleep in boxers or naked, but that would be inappropriate for me to do tonight. I make sure not take long. Upon returning to the bedroom, April is sitting at the bottom of the bed, her fingers tapping on her knee. She is still nervous.
“April, you can get into the bed. Do you need anything?”
“Um, no, I am okay. Sleep is all I need.”
I nod, and she slips into the bed. It takes me a second to follow. I am more nervous about sleeping next to her than I think I would be if we were going to have sex. I take a deep breath and slip into the bed next to her. We keep a distance between us. Who knows if that will change while we sleep like we did last night?
“What time do you work tomorrow?” she asks as we get comfortable.
“Nine, but don’t worry, if you are still asleep, I will leave the key, and you can lock up when you leave.”
“No, I will leave with you because I need to be at the flat for the things being delivered. The time frame is between two and nine.”
“Okay. I will make sure to wake you up then.”
“Thank you. Goodnight.”
I switch the light off. We turn our back to one another. I believe neither of us wants an exact repeat of last night. Even though there is distance between us, knowing April is right there is still a comfort to me.