Bulletproof Heart

Gerard's POV

The combination of the stress of the past week and the insomnia that insued, the early morning trip, and my earlier, ahem, physical release, followed by the warm shower put me right to sleep. I didn't even realize I'd fallen asleep until a sudden noise pulled me back. I heard the front door slam signaling Frankie was back home and she didn't seem exactly happy. Her footsteps were unnaturally heavy and headed my way. After rubbing the sleep out of my groggy eyes, I slowly sat up, trying to focus on the fuzzy blob sitting on the foot of the bed. Her pretty face gradually became clear.

“Hang on, I'm awake, I am. Just need my eyes work... ok, hi.” I tried shaking my head slightly to remove the cobwebs. Should I mention her friend? Maybe not.

“Hi,” she started, looking rather sheepish. Did she regret our previous activity? “So, not sure where to start, because I've got a lot to say but I want to make sure it comes out right.” She looked at her hands in her lap. There was a long pause and when she began again, she spoke very quietly. “Don't want to be overheard by anyone else.” She pointed toward the wall, and Ray and Mikey. I nodded. “I don't regret anything we did before, so you can stop looking so worried. But I do wish it hadn't gone down quite that way. I mean, we've know each other 2 hours? I'm NOT like that and I'm pretty sure you aren't either.” I had started holding my breath and biting my bottom lip awhile ago. The relieved sigh I let out was so obvious that she gave me a quick peck on my cheek.

“I was a bit worried that you thought I was a creep. This feels so strange for me, especially after spending so much energy evading this kind of …. thing.” Feeling the heat rise in my face, I found a spot of carpet to look interested in. Then I said the last thing I expected to come out of my mouth. “We should probably be more careful about the physical stuff in the future, so we can get to know each other as people, you know? That is, if you are interested in a future with me.” Um, wow. What did I just say? Why don't you just profess your love and get on one knee, idiot. “I meant what I said about you not being a piece of meat to me, Frankie.” My heart was no longer in my chest. It hammered somewhere between my throat and ears, making it almost impossible to swallow, breathe or hear.

Ray's cousin had been looking down at her lap for most of the conversation, probably the only reason I had the courage to speak this way. But after my last sentence, her head lifted abruptly and turned toward me. My head was still down but I could see her in my peripheral vision. When I slowly turned to face her, I realized she was crying.

“What's wrong? Did I say something wrong? I'm sorry.”

“No,” she laughed, then sniffed quietly. Then she lightly covered my hand with hers.“Just been a long day already.” She was right there. “I'd very much like to get to know you better as a person. And it's only going to get worse when Brendan gets back. I was planning on letting you know what I know about that situation as well. When I left you, I figured I'd see him right away. His stuff was set up like he'd been waiting awhile but he was gone. Ray said he'd seen Bren run out of the house really upset. It's such a small town here that I thought he'd be easy to find. I drove around a bit since he wasn't answering his phone. Finally he texted back. He's acting like he's ok but he's not. When you know someone as well as we know each other …. He's supposed to meet me back here after getting groceries, the ones I had asked him to get.” She let out another long, loud sigh. “I don't know Gee. I think he was outside my door earlier and overheard us. You know... overheard... us.”

Notes

I'm back! I know its been a few days since I've updated but I've been working hard on both my stories just for you. I'd love comments, ratings, subscriptions, recommendations.... if you could.

Check out @mikeyfuckingway because you won't be sorry. 'Til we meet again.

B