Chapter 19: Open up!

Laura's POV:

Some people would find my bluntness intimidating. But that was actually what made me, me. The no-bullshit attitude.

I stood in the middle of the road. The ominous dark clouds in the sky matched my mood perfectly. It looked like it was going to rain, the chill crept over my skin giving me goosebumps.

I rubbed a hand over my shoulder, to get some warmth. The dress I had on was a sleeveless.

A car pulled up in front of me, the windshield rolled down and Ryan's head looked out.

“Christ, Laura.” He called, his voice husky through the cold. He waved at me. “Come on, hop in. Hop in.”

I reached for the rear door and slipped in. Ryan watched me intently as he started the ignition.

“Are you okay?” He asked softly.

I nodded. “Just hungover.”

I looked out through the window, fastening the seatbelt round me. I watched as the car made a slow procession through the street. Houses and people faded away from sight. But the argument I had with Jaxon couldn't.

Was I happy that I finally stood up to him? yes.

Was I right for doing so? Probably.

He claimed his saved me. But I couldn't bring myself to believe that.

“Sometimes I think you're a very sad woman, Laura.” Ryan's voice suddenly cut through my thoughts.

I looked up at him, meeting his eyes sizing me up. He was more observant than I'd given him credit for.

Because, he was right. I had been sad for a long, long time. I had been starved of happiness and affection for so long that I'd forgotten what it felt like. I had refused to let any man in, afraid to be abused and hurted again.

Afraid to be silenced and for the one time, that I finally managed to be happy and wild and drunk and different was last night. And then waking up this morning to Jaxon.

Everything seemed to have happened so fast. It scared me.

“If you've been treated wrongly like I have. You wouldn't see any reason to be happy.” I said dryly, tearing my gaze from his— back to the window.

“That's a lie.” He said firmly. “If everyone life treated badly choosed not to be happy. We wouldn't have anyone left in the world.”

I said nothing.

The street rolled past. I felt Ryan's gaze burning at the back of my neck.

“You need to open up to someone.” He paused. “You need help.”

Something was swelling inside my throat, crawling to come out. Those unspoken words that had taken shape inside me.

I tore my gaze from the window. When I shifted my eyes to his face, he was watching me. One hand steering the wheel slowly.

I smiled at him gratefully, lying back into the seat.

A thick silence enveloped us, piercing through my thick skin and into my heart.

The car rode into my garage minutes later, Ryan escorted me inside, then excused himself on some urgent business he needed to handle.

The silence from the car seemed to have seeped into the house. It was silent and empty. Brian had probably taking Ria to school.

“What?” Gwen screamed, as I parked in front of the strip mall. There were only a few cars in the parking lot, but I choosed the farthest from the yoga studio.

“You got drunk and woke up at Jaxon's place?”

I nodded grimly. Slipping off my seatbelt and climbed out of the car. We started walking.

Gwen slurped an extra-large strawberry milk shake through two yellow straws. She was lactose intolerant but that didn't seem to deter her.

“Gwen, you're not supposed to eat or drink anything substantial before we go to yoga class.” I warned. “And is that made of soy milk?”

I quirked an eyebrow at the cup she was clutching firmly.

She snarled at me, defensive. “I'm allowed to drink real milk. And besides, my stomach is made of steel.” She patted it lightly. “Steel baby!”

“Uh-huh.”

After Ryan dropped me home, Gwen dropped by to join me for our usual yoga appointment. We always went together and I was glad for an excuse to finally forget about the sequence of events that had unfolded in the last twenty-four hours.

Yoga was just that fresh air and space I needed. I drew in a deep breath.

It was drizzling a little and the temperature had dropped to jacket weather. Spring was stubbornly holding onto the tiara and refusing to pass it to summer. A few brave locals had moved on from sweaters and pants ti shorts and spaghetti straps.

“What was his face like when you stood up to him? I needed to be there.” Gwen chirped in.

How I could forget that look. It somehow gave me a sense of justice. His red furious face contorting with rage and frustration.

I smiled at Gwen. “He looked like he ate a bowl of spoilt porridge.”

“Suits him right.” She laughed airily, flinging her hands over my shoulder. Somehow that little act warmed up my mood. I laughed with hard.

She slurped the last of her milk shake and did a free throw into the garbage can. The cup bounced on the rim and fell to the ground, spilling it's contents like pink vomit all over the place.

“Shit.” She hissed.

“You still haven't caught the hang of it uh?” I chuckled softly catching her glare. She was fuming at the basket as if to blame it for her miss-throw.

She made to walk past it.

“You'd better go pick that up.” I reminded her, she halted reluctantly.

But before she could respond, someone else snatched the cup off the ground.

“I don't want anyone getting fined for littering.” A male voice said lazingly, laughing.

I looked up. I could bet a pound that voice was familiar.

Our eyes met and locked as if drawing energy from each other. My mouth fell open.

What the hell..

My heart was leaping wildly, almost jumping out of my chest.

Calm down Laura!

Calm Laura!

I tried to breath but it hitched in my throat, which was now suddenly dry

Why was Williams here?

What did he want here?

I eyed him warily. Jaxon said he almost raped me last night. So why was he standing here and smiling like that.

Like nothing happened last night.

Like he didn't kiss me.

Like he didn't grab me.

Knowing I couldn't have any man in my life.

Why was he here?

His tall figure loomed over us, his hair was wrapped up in a bandana. Though some strands still fell out on his tanned skin.

I swallowed hard. My cheek was so red matching the band he tied on his arm.

His deep brown eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled. A shadow of a beard covered his square jaw, making him look very masculine.

I looked away uneasily.

“Hi, Vixen.” He greeted.

I nodded at him. “Hi.”

Tattoos decorated both his muscles and toned brown arms. I hadn't noticed those yesterday. Probably because of the tight Polo he had on.

“Uhm. About last night.” He began.

Alot of things happened last night. My mind whirled replaying the details in a flash.

The dance.

His hands snaking for my waist.

His lips reaching for mine.

Damn, Laura!