Chloe
I have been pacing Blake’s apartment since he left. I am freaking out, scared in case something has happened to him. I hate I can’t contact him since my cell got broken. I am close to having a panic attack. I am imagining the worse things possible in my head because I know what Max is capable of and his friends if they are there. I couldn’t really be doing with a drink right now, but I won’t.
I need to find something to occupy myself. I glance around, but there is nothing because his place is spotless. I am driving myself insane. I don’t want Blake getting hurt because of me. I shouldn’t have agreed to come back here again with him. I wish he had listened when I told him to walk away and forget all about me.
I take a bottle of water from the fridge and take a seat on the sofa. I switch the TV on to find something to watch, but after a few minutes, I become frustrated, switch it off and start pacing the floor once again. I check the time. He has not even been away for an hour, but it feels like five.
Suddenly, I hear a key in the front door, and I swing around to face it, eager for Blake to walk in so I know if he is hurt or not. The second it opens, I rush over.
“Are you okay? Did he hurt you?” I whimper.
“Breathe, angel. I am fine.” He smiles.
I wrap my arms around him, hugging him, “Thank God.”
I instantly relax, knowing he wasn’t hurt and home safe. Blake doesn’t even hesitate to hug me back.
“I have everything you need. You don’t need to see that piece of shit ever again. I promise.”
“Thank you.” I smile, pulling back.
He hands me the bag, “You can go put them away in the spare bedroom. I will make us some coffee.” He says, reaching in to squeeze my hand.
I thanked him one more before walking away to the bedroom to put my things away. Not like I had much. I emptied the content of the bag onto the bed, making sure everything was there and, luckily, it was, including my medication. I wonder if he realised what the other pills were for. If he did, he didn’t say something, but at least if he did, he doesn’t seem to be tossing me out on my ass because of my issues.
I put everything away, which takes like five minutes and rejoin Blake. He is sitting on the sofa, two mugs of coffee on the table, alongside some cookies. He pats the spot next to him, and I take it, grabbing my coffee for a sip.
“So, what happened? Was he home?” I ask.
“Yes. He tried to be a hard man, but my friends dealt with him while I got your things. He isn’t seriously injured or anything.” He replies.
I am glad nothing serious happened to Max. I know he has put me through hell, but you don’t just stop caring for someone. I don’t want anything bad to happen to him. I know that may sound pathetic since Max hurt me a lot, but I just don’t have it in my nature to want harm to come to anyone.
“And no one followed you back, right?” I ask nervously.
“No, no one followed us. Please stop worrying, okay? You are safe here, I swear.” He smiles, squeezing my knee.
I won’t stop worrying because if Max really wants to find me, he will.
“I’ll try not to.”
I relax back against the sofa, hugging my mug.
“What would you like to do today? We can do anything you want, even if it means doing nothing if you aren’t in the mood.” He asks, turning side on so he is facing me.
“Um, I am not sure. If you have plans, you can go. I will be fine on my own.” I don’t want him changing his plans for me.
“No. I have nothing to do. We can hang out here if you want. Or we can go out for dinner?” he suggests.
“I don’t exactly have clothes to wear to go out for dinner,” I reply, embarrassed.
I don’t really have any nice clothes.
“We could go out and get you some clothes? I noticed you don’t have much, and you could probably do with warmer clothes.”
His voice is always so gentle when he talks to me. I like he doesn’t judge me.
“No, I don’t have any money for new clothes. The ones I have will do for now until I find a new job.” I still have no idea what I will do on the job front. I can’t exactly go back and work at the club because Max or his friends will be there.
“I can buy you some new things. It really wouldn’t be a bother.”
“As sweet as that offer is, no. You have already done enough for me.” I protest. I refuse to let him spend any money on me, not after everything he has done for me.
Blake went to speak, and I knew what he was going to say, “Please don’t ask again, okay?” I whisper.
He sighs but nods. I break eye contact with him, putting my attention back on my coffee.
“I can cook us something. Do you want to come to the store with me, and we can decide together what to have for dinner?”
I guess a trip to the store wouldn’t be so bad. It will get me out of the apartment for a little while. There is no risk of me running into Max or anyone I know, not in this part of the city anyway.
“Sure. I can do that. It will get me out for a little while.” I reply.
“Great! Do you want a hoodie or a coat to wear?”
“A hoodie will be fine, thanks.” I smile. I don’t own a warm hoodie or coat.
Blake strolls to his closet to grab me one and comes back. I pull it on, feeling instant comfort when I do, and his clothes always smell good—a mixture of washing powder and aftershave that hasn’t thoroughly washed off the material.
“Ready?” he asks, and I nod.
He lifts his car keys and wallet, slipping them into his pocket. He rests his hand on the small of my back, guiding us out. Something about his touch makes me feel safe, something I have never experienced before.
Hopefully, we won’t be out too long because I am exhausted from the last few days' events. I still have no idea of my plan from here on out, but I can worry about that tomorrow.