Chrystal POV *gasp*

"Okay everyone, I hope you all have a wonderful summer. I hope you all visit me from time to time next year."

A chorus of "Bye, Miss Romero" and "Have a great summer" echoed throughout the room for a moment before the chaos of all the kids trying to exit at the same time resulted in a crowd by the door. A few moments later and I am able to take a deep breath and relax. 

Another year gone by and another summer to myself. Whether I want it to be that way is up in the air.

If someone were to ask me if I'd thought I'd ever end up teaching 7th grade algebra in a small town in Michigan, I'd have told them they were crazy and oddly specific. Yet, here I am and have been for over 8 years now. Okay, it's not exactly where I want to be, but it is surely where I'm needed...or need to be.

I try not to think much of my past because it only threatens to crack the perfect walls I've put up around me. A crack would show weakness and that's the only thing I can't afford to be anymore. Weak.

Before I get lost in thought, I decide it's best to clean up and be on my way. I pick up the clutter my students left behind and throw it all away before the custodians come and do it themselves. I find it rude when other classrooms are left a warzone so I try my best to make their job easier. It pays off, as I'm always the one given the high quality cleaning supplies when needed.

Not finding any other excuse to stick around, I make my way out to the teacher's parking lot. It's nothing grand, seeing as it's a small school, but I appreciate the effort they make to accommodate their staff. I'm stopped by a few other faculty members who wish me a nice summer vacation or ask if I want to go to a group dinner to celebrate. Of course I politely decline. I'm what you would call a homebody.

I don't mind going out here and there, but for the most part, I'd prefer to be at home. I made it a cozy place to live and I take full advantage of it. It's stocked with everything I could want and need. There's not much out there that I find comfort in as much as I do with the things at home. Growing up, my older sister and some friends would mock me for being this way. I don't know why...it's not like I was hurting anyone or anything for being the way I am. In fact, I felt bad that for them and the fact that they couldn't handle being alone with their thoughts so much they had to go out and get fulfillment elsewhere. I didn't want to pity them for their choices, I just felt backed into a corner and didn't know what else to think that the time.

I'd like to think I've grown out of that way of thinking.

A short trip to the market on the way home and finally make it to my humble abode. It's nothing fancy. It's a pretty average home, but what makes it special is that it's all mine. There was a time in my life when I didn't think I'd ever have anything to call my own. Anything to hold on to. And well, let's not go into further detail for the sake of those walls.

Upon entering my home, I'm greeting by the soft meows of Preston, my little furry friend. He started out as a stray who wandered into my backyard two years ago. I fed him some leftovers and I suppose he took that as me adopting him as he kept coming back day after day. It didn't take long for him to try entering my home once I opened the door. After a few more weeks of him getting comfortable, he was taken to the vet and then officially mine. He earned the name Preston because he's a beautiful tuxedo cat. I found Preston to be classy and fitting for a cat who wears a tux 24/7. He's all the family I've got so I cherish his greetings upon my coming home.

It takes me a few minutes to put all the groceries in their designated areas before I can feed the needy cat. I like to think his constant meowing while I go through my routine is him actually telling me about his day so I stick to the ritual. Once he's devouring the food I finally lay out for him I go to the next step of my afternoon routine and gather all the mail left by the door. I don't get much other than bills and junk, but I still like to sort through it in hopes I suddenly have a million dollar check from a distant relative I never knew about.

While filtering through the ads and separating my internet and gas bill from the rest, I find an envelope with my name written in pen, but no return address. Not thinking much about it I decide to open it before the bills and before I know it I'm opening a white piece of paper and my eyes are bulging out of their sockets and my heart is dropping to the pit of my stomach.

My dearest,

It's endearing that you thought you truly escaped me. I let you have your moment alone, but it is time to retrieve what is mine again.

See you soon, amor.

~H

My throat constricts at the end of the letter. With a few sentences I feel my walls starting to tumble. All the fear, pain, loss, and heartbreak come back in full force. Everything I spent the last few years overcoming jumps to the front of my mind with one stupid, fucking letter. To know that they still have the power over me...that he has power...sends a chill through my spine.

How incredibly stupid of me to think I could pretend my past doesn't exist. That I could actually be free of it.

The more I think and reflect the more I panic. They've known the entire time where I've been. How much more naïve could I be? I can't just up and leave...they would probably find my new location anyway so the idea of settling somewhere new seems like a waste.

Maybe I could...no. That would be a dumb idea. Going back to where it all started. There is some protection there though. At least I think there still is. I don't think anyone would want to see me anyway. They wouldn't understand and I don't want to see the face of the man who hurt me first anyway.

I take a large breath and slump to the ground, the weight of my past overwhelming me. My options are floating through my head and I need to act soon or else they'll be here physically if they aren't already.

I know what my only option really is, but I'm not sure if I'm ready to face the heartbreak head on. Feeling Preston rubbing his head next to me I look up at him with a line tear streaming down my face.

"Looks like we've got to get ready for a little road trip, buddy."

~~~~~~~

Fleur POV

I could not sleep a wink even with my body screaming at me that it was exhausted. There were a few things that didn't help me with my terrible night's rest. The first was Justin. He crowded me the entire night, hanging onto me like he was a koala. Now, I'm usually one for cuddling, but I felt like I was being dragged into the pits of hell and I could not escape. There's a fine line between cuddling and hanging on for dear life and I don't think Justin knew the difference in his sleep last night.

Another reason for a bad night was the sleeping lump on the couch--Tank. It was like every time my eyes were open they'd end up floating towards him. It was dark, but not dark enough to not notice him. Plus, his presence takes up so much space it's impossible not to notice him. It was overwhelming to say the least. I blame his magnetic aura.

Finally, the fact that I didn't feel safe anymore was more than enough of a reason to lose the ability to sleep. I know Max gave Tank strict orders and not to take his eyes off me, but what if he was outnumbered? What if I was taken while he was asleep? Tank is only human and needs rest as well so it's understandable that he'd require sleep.

I don't foresee myself getting much sleep in the near future.

I pretended to be asleep when I felt Justin stirring next to me. I wasn't ready to face him and the questions he most likely had. I'm hoping he realizes there are things happening around us that are much bigger than our attempt at a relationship. If I had the guts to ask to go back to being friends only I'd have done it last night. Sadly, I'm a coward and I don't want to see him in pain and I don't want to lose him in my life.

I wish I'd thought more about the consequences beforehand.

I feel Justin's movement behind me and feel his arm unwrap from around me before I feel him get off from the bed. I keep my eyes closed as I hear his steps circle to my side. There's a long pause that makes me almost open my eyes before I feel his breath close to my cheek followed by a light kiss to my temple. Aww man...why does he have to be so sweet? 

I hear his footsteps retreat and hear him opening his bag and gathering clothes before the bathroom door opens and closes. One thing I find odd about Justin is his need to take long showers in mornings and at night. He said they help him relax and wake up, so I let him be. We all have our weird habits I suppose. 

Once I hear the shower start, I know I have about 30 minutes of quiet. I roll on to my back and let out a deep sigh then rub my face in a failed attempt to wipe the exhaustion off. I don't even know what is planned today with last night taking the turn it did. Will I actually be allowed to go anywhere? Maybe it would be best to lay low for a bit. I don't want to give Max a reason to worry. Plus it will make Tank's job easier...his babysitting job.

"You alright?" Tank asks, snapping me out of my thoughts. If I didn't already enjoy hearing sounds coming from his mouth in the form of words, his sleepy voice would have definitely sealed the deal. 

I peer down towards where he slept and am happy it isn't light enough in the room for him to see my blush. I can tell he's not wearing a shirt under the blanket that's covering him. The low light that is in the room is highlighting his chiseled arms. Something in me is jealous of the light that gets to touch those arms. 

Let's blame sleep depravity on my ridiculous thinking, okay? 

"I'm okay..." I reply, sounding less convincing than I thought I would. 

"You know, you don't have to pretend to be okay. Yesterday was probably a lot to take in and if you're not used to things it could be unnerving. Plus, I know you're always thinking. I can only imagine the wheels turning nonstop in your head all night," he finishes with a smirk. Pffft...like he knows me. Okay...he probably knows me a little bit since that was pretty much what did happen, but he could lose the stupid know it all smirk he's wearing.

After an eyeroll and another sigh I sit myself up and say, "fine. I'm not okay. I'm confused and worried and think maybe it's time to head home. If Max has a lot going on maybe me being out of the way would be better for him, but at the same time I'm not ready to just go. I still want to learn more about him and the rest of my biological family." I finish my mini rant with a deep breath. Hardly ever do I actually let my rambling thoughts out, but the relief that followed was pretty nice. The relief was short lived when suddenly Tank is stalking towards me, no shirt an all and sits right in front of me. If this were a cartoon, my eyes would be popping out of my head. 

"Hey," he says and then places his hands on each side of my face. I'm absolute putty at the feeling. Non breathing, shape of a human, putty. "Like I said last night, it's going to be okay. I'm here and I'm not going to let anything happen to you. You have my word." 

I believe him. I don't think he'd do anything to jeopardize my safety and I should do whatever it takes to not get him into any trouble or danger. His thumbs begin caressing my cheeks and it feels nothing short of amazing and calming. 

"I don't think Max would want you to leave so soon," he continues. I've got to give it to myself. I'm not dying in front of a shirtless Tank. I could easily lower my eyes to get a good view of the god of a man that's before me yet I have keep firm focus on his face. Not like that's bad to look at or anything. "We'll just hang out here today, unless I am instructed otherwise okay?" I nod my head in response while continue to bask in the feeling of his hands cupping my face. I don't know how his touch can both calm me and send me buzzing at the same time. 

It was probably only a moment of silence between us staring at one another when I noticed his gaze lower to my mouth then back up to my eyes. I could feel the buzzing spread all over now, more so in my bottom half. I swear his head even started moving closer before we were interrupted by a voice.

"What the hell is going on here?" Justin asks as Tank's hands are removed and I lean away from him. As I look at Justin I see a rightfully annoyed face and I can't help but feel terribly guilty and busted.

How am I going to handle being here with both of them all day? 

⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️

Hey lovely readers. Again, terribly sorry for taking forever, but I hope you enjoyed. ❤️

I hope you are all safe and having a nice holiday season.

Happy reading!