"Here, turn around," Jeremy said as he unclasped the necklace.
I turned around and he secured it. I could feel the cold metal on my skin and laughed. "Thanks, Gwen," I said, using the nickname I called him as a kid.
He ruffled my hair again. "No worries, kiddo."
I saw Darius walking in the garden and called him over.
"Look," I said, showing him the necklace.
Darius smiled and said, "Looks good."
"I know, right!"
"This girl has a weird fascination with necklaces and lockets," said Jeremy and I rolled my eyes.
"Anyway, I have to go," said Jeremy.
I looked up from playing with my locket. "Already?" I asked.
"Cathy is back in the hotel. She's got jet lag." He was rolling his eyes. I gave him a hug, yes, another bone crushing one.
"Tell her hi!" I said. He waving and then shook Darius’ hand before leaving.
"Cathy?" asked Darius.
"His girlfriend," I said, trying to see the necklace that sat perfectly between my collarbones.
"He has a girlfriend?"
"Duh." I pouted as I watched. Darius smiled.
"What?" I asked as he stared at me. Did I have more ice cream on me?
"Your mother’s looking for you."
"Oh shit," I said, sighing deeply.
It was just past midnight when we got home and I groaned when I remembered that our parents were still staying with us.
"Get a good night’s rest, you two. We have plans for tomorrow," called my mother and I groaned my disapproval. Leave it to my mother to make plans. Darius chuckled but I glared at him. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was like this. He wasn't the one wearing a pink cupcake dress.
"Me first," I said, quickly closing the bedroom door in his face so I could change. I could hear him outside as I pulled my suitcase and opened it. Damn, he brought the wrong suitcase into the room. This one was filled with the soft toys I had won, not my clothes.
I pulled out my smaller bag and pulled out a grey elbow sleeves dress with red and white butterflies on it. I had sometimes worn this as nightwear at home and I might as well tonight. I changed into it quickly and washed my face before opening the door.
"Took your time, huh," he said as he walked in.
"Took your time," I mocked on my way out. I went downstairs and froze on the steps where my parents were.
"Oh darling, I wan-"
"NO!" I yelled before she could go further. I turned around and ran back to our room. There was no way I was sitting down for another 'talk' with them. I walked in, just as he was getting into bed, and closed the door.
"It's boiling," I complained as I waved a hand in my face. Yesterday there was no heater, and now it was full on.
I walked over to turn the fan on and Darius looked at me.
"It's going to get cold with that on," he reminded me. I shrugged, grabbing my pillow and blanket and walking to the floor where I was to sleep.
"What are you doing?"
"Sleeping."
"There's space on the bed."
"Nah, I like the ground." I lay down on the blanket on the floor.
"You weren't saying that last night." He sounded teasing.
"Shut it," I said, my face reddening. I pulled the blanket higher on my shoulders.
"I bet you, you'll be back in here in no time," he said.
"Deal."
No deal. It was freezing. It had been three hours and I was still awake. Damn it.
I sat up. I had turned the fan off an hour ago but it was absolutely freezing and the cold hard floor wasn't helping either. I looked up at Darius who was sleeping, his breathing steady and calm.
I grabbed my pillow and slowly walked to the bed. I wickedly thought about suffocating him with my pillow, just for revenge. But then I would get arrested. Not worth the bother. I was too tired anyway.
I crawled in my space on the bed and, just to make sure he was asleep, I poked his cheek with a finger. He stayed still.
"Thank god," I said, turning to my side. He was sleep. Now where are the covers?
I felt around with my hand and grabbed the edge of the cover, slipping under it.
I closed my eyes, ready to go to Dreamland.
"I told you."
Damn. So he was awake. I felt my cheeks flare up. Good thing he couldn’t see my face.
"Oh, shut up," I snapped in mock annoyance. But I didn’t protest when I felt his arm wrap around my waist. Instead, I leaned back into his chest that was warm and cozy. The warmth made sleep overtake me and the last thing I remembered was the smile on my face.
Chapter nineteen
I love birds, and I'm sure most people do, too. But right now, I feel like throwing rocks at them. They were chirping like the house was on fire or something. They were chirping loudly and it was annoying when all I wanted was to sleep.
"Shut up," I muttered, trying to roll onto my stomach and felt something that I knew wasn't the bed.
Opening my eyes, I stared into a muscular chest. Oh, not again.