Page 3 of Staying for Her

But when my very unmarried little sister got hers without contest or objection from either of my parents, I knew there was more to it, and that’s when the anger started. I wanted to know why she got hers without conditions and yet here I was struggling on my own, all because I didn’t want to get married to the woman they wanted.

Their excuse was typical. Lena was their shining star, dating the son of a very prominent politician and doing everything Mommy and Daddy told her to. And here I was defying every rule they set in front of me, so of course, I got the brunt of their distaste for the way I chose to live my life.

I take another breath and try to put my past behind me as I find a pair of shorts and a clean T-shirt on my floor that I can change into. At this point, I have no idea what I’m doing, but I know I can’t let her walk away without knowing if she’s okay. So I get dressed and head out into the living room where I stop dead, watching as she bends over, her head in her hands and her shoulders shaking.

I take tentative steps and gently sit down next to her. As the couch dips, her head lifts and those hazel eyes meet mine. I smile, hoping to make this a little less awkward but knowing this is a situation that neither of us expected to be in today.

“I’m Lucas, by the way,” I say gently, holding out my hand as a small smile graces her face and she sets her small hand in mine as my fingers enclose them.

“Billie,” she whispers, her name washing over me like a warm breeze. It fits her.

“Billie? That’s different.”

There’s a slight roll of her eyes before she takes her hand back and leans back against the couch, her eyes peering up at my ceiling.

“Yeah, I grew up being called my real name by my entire family, except my mom, and hated it so much I decided to change it,” she mutters as I ask what her real name was. “Elizabeth.”

I grimace because I agree with her, it doesn’t fit her at all.

“Billie is definitely better,” I state, hoping to see that smile again, but all I get are her eyes as her head tilts to the side and she looks over at me. “Are you sure you’re okay?” I ask again for the millionth time, but I can’t shake this feeling that she’s saving face and I can’t have that.

“Well, for one, Mike wasn’t wrong. I don’t have anywhere to go and all of my things are in the damn apartment and I need to get them. I have clients to see in the next few days.” I furrow my brow, wondering what she does for a living but she answers that for me. “I’m a photographer. Mostly weddings and engagements.”

I nod again, the aesthetic fits her.

“Well do you want me to go over there and get your stuff for you? I wouldn’t mind,” I offer, already knowing the answer because Billie doesn’t really seem like the type of woman to take handouts.

“Nah, it’s okay. I’ll go over there tomorrow.” She hesitates for a second, taking a deep breath before her eyes cast down at her fingers that are secretly playing with the holes in her jeans. “Did you mean it?”

I tilt my head to the side, wondering what she means.

“About staying here for the night? Did you mean it?”

“Yes, I did.”

Her face lights up and I have to take a moment and gather myself because that smile is incredible. She is beautiful and I have to get up off the couch because my body is responding in kind, and that is not what either of us needs right now. Her, because she just watched her boyfriend cheat on her and found out he’s having a baby with someone else and I can’t handle a relationship right now, not with all my family shit going on.

“I really appreciate this, and I promise I will find somewhere to stay after tonight.”

I shake my head, making my way into the kitchen and finding my bottle of rum and some cans of Coke.

“Not an issue, but how about we forget about all that stuff and just have a good time?”

Her eyes light up as she takes in the alcohol and glasses in my hands.

“Wanna watch reality TV and get drunk?”

She smiles, her laughter ringing through the living room as I sit next to her. I turn on the TV while I pour us some drinks and it doesn’t take long for the worries of hours before to disappear.

* * *

Hours later, Billie is passed out beside me, her head resting on my shoulder, and I wonder for the millionth time tonight if I was doing the right thing. Billie is tempting, so tempting that I caught myself staring multiple times tonight and I had to actively shake myself out of it because all the dirty thoughts are a very bad idea.

Billie stirs, and I set my drink down, knowing that I need to get her into bed. So I stand, haul her into my arms and chuckle softly as she barely stirs. As much as she talks a big game, this girl cannot hold her liquor. I place her gently in my bed, knowing full well that I intended for her to sleep on the couch, but now, seeing her lying in my sheets, her hair fanned out behind her and her face soft in sleep, I can’t help but realize how perfect she fits.

I leave the bedroom and make up the couch, knowing I’m not going to get a lick of sleep because the thought of what this girl has done to me in less than eight hours is not a good sign for the future. I’m in big trouble.

Billie

---