Page 37 of Catch
“It’s just sitting there, probably just as freaked out as you are."
"Doubtful."
In one swift move, Miles slapped the box down. I couldn’t see what was happening, but I heard the mouse move and Miles cursing under his breath. Then I heard the box slam down again. "Got it."
"Are you sure?" I peered over the edge of the bed feeling incredibly skeptical.
“He’s under the box, I just need to slide it out.”
"What are you going to do with it?"
"Slide it all the way to the door." He carefully pulled the box from under the bed, then pushed it across the floor. I stayed still, too scared to move in case it escaped.
Once Miles got to the back door, I listened as he opened it and told the mouse, "Run free, little fella."
A few minutes later, he returned to my room, holding the empty box up as if I would want it back. "All gone. It’s safe to come down now.”
"What if it had a family? What if they're planning revenge?"
He rolled his eyes, but instead of arguing, he crossed the room in two strides and scooped me up into his arms.
"Miles!"
"You clearly won’t be sleeping well in here tonight, so you’re coming with me."
He carried me effortlessly down the hall, and I knew I should have protested, but honestly? I didn’t want to. Not just because of the mouse, but because I didn’t want to be away from him, not even to sleep.
He nudged his bedroom door open with his foot and placed me down gently on the bed. "Just for sleep, Lox. No mice, no panic. Just sleep."
As I watched him move toward the couch, disappointment flared inside me. I wanted him to stay. To hold me. To make this confusing, overwhelming situation feel simple, just for a little while.
“Miles?” I whispered. He turned, his expression unreadable. “Stay with me?”
His jaw tightened, his fingers curling into fists at his sides. “Lox…”
“Just to sleep,” I added, using his own words even though we both knew how thin that line was.
For a long moment, he didn’t move. Then, with a sigh that sounded like surrender, he climbed onto the bed beside me, keeping just enough space between us to remind himself why he shouldn’t pull me closer.
And yet, even with inches between us, the air still crackled with everything unspoken.
Turning to him, I smiled hesitantly, propping my head up on my hand. “Sorry I wanted to burn your house down.” I didn’t add as much, but I was thinking that after learning about his parents earlier that day, wanting to burn his house down was insensitive.
Miles turned to face me, and propped his own head up as well. “I’d have struck the match if I thought it was the only way to keep you safe.”
My cheeks turned red and I bit my lip, attempting to look away. But Miles grabbed my chin and forced me to look back into his eyes. We stayed quiet, both laying our heads back down and staring at each other in the dimly lit room.
Before long, I was sleeping soundly, dreaming of Miles and me hand in hand, running away from Chuck-E-Cheese as we laughed. When I woke up, there was a smile on my face,and I expected to see Miles sleeping in front of me.
But he was gone, and I sat up quickly, looking around his empty room before getting to my feet and making my way to the kitchen. There was a pot of hot coffee already made, along with a note.
I scoured the house before I left. My gun was drawn, my badge was flashed. No signs of mice, but even if they were lingering around, I put them on notice and you should be safe. See you after work. -Tomcat
Chapter Twenty-One
MILES
I didn’t sleep a wink.
