Page 39 of The Loathing

“Okay.” His voice trails off and the sound of a stool scuffing along the floor fills the room, him being in close proximity makes my breath catch in the back of my throat but I style it off with a small cough. His scent fills my nose, the smell of vanilla and woodsmoke surrounds me and I can’t help breathing in a little deeper.

“If you still wanted to meet up with your friend, we can do that… I’ll just hang back, you won’t even know that I am there.”

A whisper of a smile graces my lips as my eyes stay glued to my canvas.

“I’ll know you’re there.”

“Subconsciously yes, but are you going to let your father’s choices ruin your life for the foreseeable?”

I blink, turning to look at him and shake my head from side to side.

“Then tell your friend we will be there at noon,” he gives a tight nod and stands, my eyes raking up his tall frame until they finally settle on his light, crystal blue eyes and then I watch as he walks out of the glass outbuilding and from my sight.

Turning back round, my lips twist into a smile.

* * *

Sitting in the back of Titus’s Jeep I am a million miles away as I look out at the scenery that is passing by my eyes.

I felt a little uneasy when I first got in the car knowing that Titus’ first time driving on the left side of the road was late last night. I catch his eyes flicking up into the rear-view mirror and occasionally our gazes clash but I ignore the way my heart stutters in my chest.

There is something about Titus that pulls me in and I am confident it’s his eyes. I feel like he is hiding so much behind those pretty blue eyes.

We slow as we approach Arabella’s house, the oak gates slowly opening and the tires crunch on the gravelled drive.

“I won’t be a moment,” I say quietly as I open the passenger door and walk up the steps to their home, knocking on the door.

Turning back, I look over my shoulder and Titus’ stare is pinned to me. My head snaps back round quickly when I hear the door open.

“Amora!” Conor beams, opening his arms wide and I fall into his embrace.

“Uncle Conor.”

“Oh, Amora.” Darcey’s soft voice has my head lifting and I look at her, her green eyes narrowing as her smile grows.

“It’s so good to see you,” she grabs me from her husband’s grips and pulls me in for a cuddle.

We break away when I see Arabella coming down the stairs wearing heavy black doc martens, shorts and an oversized tee tucked in the front.

“I heard you have a hot bodyguard… is that true?” Darcey asks me, giving me a wiggle of her perfectly shaped eyebrows.

I roll my eyes, swatting Arabella in the arm when she stands next to me.

“Ow!”

Conor’s brows rise as he steps forward and onto the step of his front door, his eyes landing on Titus, and he lifts his arm to say hello.

I watch as Titus holds his hand up from the driver’s seat, saying hi.

“Well, he is a dishy isn’t he?”

“Mum!” Arabella scolds, rolling her eyes, “That’s disgusting.”

Darcey giggles as Conor pulls her close to him, kissing her on the lips.

“Ew, I’m out. See ya,” Arabella shakes her head from side to side, disgusted by the public affection and storming past her mum and dad which only causes them both to laugh loudly.

“Have fun girls, be safe!” Conor calls after us as I turn and walk out the door and towards the waiting car.

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