He smiles and picks up a photo of an older man and woman. I can see the resemblance between Kyle and the guy in the photo. “My mom decorated it for me.”
“That was sweet.” I smile at the thought of his mom fretting over him.
He opens a side door. “This is the laundry room. Feel free to use it anytime, but let me know whenever you need to wash clothes. I’ll carry up the basket for you. I don’t want you to fall.” He takes it from me and places it next to the washer; then he reaches above the washer and hands me the laundry detergent and softener. He really is the sweetest and most thoughtful guy. He does things for me that most men would never even think about. He starts to walk out, but I put my hand on his arm. “I want to ask you about the rent. Can you just take it out of my paycheck?”
His eyes soften. “There is no rent. I want you to take care of yourself and the baby, yeah?” He puts his palm on my stomach, which shocks me. I look down. His hand is huge and covers most of my belly.
“Kyle, I can’t ask you to do that,” I whisper. My insides are shaking from the overwhelming number of things that have been happening. I have a new home and someone basically taking care of me and treating me so nicely. No one has ever treated me like this. I’m sure this is normal for most people, but having someone thinking of my needs is something new. “I don’t know what to say,” I say softly.
“Don’t say anything, sweetheart. If you want to do something for me, you can watch a movie with me?” he suggests.
I smile widely. “I would love that. Let me put my clothes in to wash. Do you have any you want me to throw in with mine?”
“You don’t have to do that.”
I tilt my head, eyeing him. He laughs and motions to his basket.
“Thank you, Kyle,” I call as he walks out of the room.
Kyle
I am a fucking pussy. It thrilled me that she came upstairs to ask me for something. It was my hope that since she would be living downstairs, she would spend the majority of her time upstairs with me.
I just ordered us a pizza and some cheese sticks to be delivered, and I pull up some movies for rent so she can choose. I grab some drinks from the kitchen and place them on the coffee table.
She walks into the living room, and she looks cute in her sweatpants and T-shirt. Her hair is wet and hanging down to her butt. Her hair is a natural, beautiful blonde. “What movie do you want to watch?” I ask her as she sits beside me, curling her legs under her.
“Anything but romantic stuff I’m fine with.”
I look at her like she has two heads. “You’re the first woman I have ever seen that doesn’t love romantic movies.”
She laughs and shrugs, turning her attention to the TV, dismissing me. I put in an action movie, make her a plate, and hand it to her. She barely looks at me, deep in her thoughts. I can tell something is bothering her; she has ghosts in her eyes. She’s looking at the TV, but I can tell her mind isn’t into it. She’s being haunted.
Chrystal
Why do I do this to myself? Just a few simple words and I’m depressed. I think back to the bad things that happened.
Romance? I never experienced that. I have never even been properly kissed. I was never raped—I had sex willingly because I thought that was what I had to do as a wife—but I never enjoyed it. And we never really kissed. His lips would brush mine in passing before he would roll off of me and we would go to sleep. That was my life. I lived every single day getting beaten over things that just didn’t make sense. How could I do things the way he wanted when he just made things up as he went? It was so hard. Life was just hell. I never slept a full night until I was out on the road by myself and knew that I wouldn’t be woken up in the middle of the night to him finding something else wrong.
“Honey?” Kyle touches my shoulder, and I finally snap myself out of my thoughts, before I get buried so deep that it would take me days to get out.
I smile, pushing wet strands of hair behind my ear. “Yeah?” Trying to play it off.
His eyes search my face. “You okay?” he asks, and I nod, putting on a smile because what else can I say? I have not voiced my past to anyone. My own family can’t even accept me; how can someone else? I just can’t right now. I think I need the chance to accept it myself first before I let anyone else in.
I wave my hand. “I’m fine.” I lean over and take a slice of pizza, trying to make it less awkward. He takes a long drink of his beer, and I know it’s forgotten when he turns on the movie. I kind of feel bad in a way because he’s been so kind to me without asking for anything in return, but how do you start talking about something so painful?
I sit back, pulling my feet up under me, turning my attention to the movie. I just want to enjoy the moment. An hour into the movie, I’m hyperaware of Kyle sitting next to me. We’re just an inch apart, and my hand is right next to his on the couch. I feel like I’m in high school and I’m waiting for my crush to hold my hand for the very first time. I feel Kyle laughing beside me. I peek over and he’s grinning at the TV like it’s the best thing he’s ever seen. I’m taken aback at how beautiful his smile is, but I won’t be fooled by that. He has this very dangerous edge to him; he’s a dangerous man without a doubt. Without thinking, I stick my pinky out, wrapping it around his. I don’t look at him. I just pretend that I don’t notice it at all. I just want to touch him. I don’t care if it’s just this. He has been so kind to me today. He pulls his pinky from mine, and I look down just as he intertwines our fingers. I smile happily. This is much better.
The movie ends way too soon. “I guess I’d better get some sleep.” He nods and helps me off of the couch. I rub my belly, feeling her or him kick.
“Is it the baby?” He nods toward my stomach.
“You want to feel?” I ask him. He smiles, and I reach forward and take his hand, placing it on my belly where the baby is kicking. His eyes widen in wonder, and looks at my stomach like the baby is going to jump out and snatch him.
“That’s amazing.”
It is amazing. It’s hard to believe that I’m carrying a baby in my body. The miracle of life is so amazing.
“I’ll help you down the stairs, don’t want you to fall.” He takes my hand again, intertwining our fingers, and walks me down the stairs. I feel special. I know it’s stupid and he’s just being nice. That’s all this can be. I’m pregnant, very pregnant. Me being attractive flew out the window a few months ago. I push open my door and step inside, looking back at Kyle.
“Goodnight,” I say softly, smiling.
“Goodnight darlin’.”
I pull the door shut, my eyes closed. I let out a deep breath and walk to my bedroom, ready to sleep for days.
Chapter Four
Chrystal
One Week Later
“Darlin’, your appointment is at four, right?” Kyle asks, sticking his head in the door.
“Yes, it’s right around the corner.”
This past week has been heaven on earth compared to living in the backseat of my car. I’m now getting adjusted to staying with Kyle, and we have become best friends, honestly. Ones that flirt relentlessly with each other. He winks and leaves me alone once again, and my stomach twists. God, why does he have to be so attractive?