Anything but Minor - Kate Stewart Page 0,32

into a smile as I continued. “For Halloween, of course. But I never got to trick or treat.”

Rafe looked down at me with a mix of amusement and a look of “Are you done yet?”

“I’m going to start kickboxing in a few weeks, so take that, Mom,” I rattled on nervously. Rafe looked over the counter and then back to me before I could say anything else.

“I figured southern comfort food. Fried green tomatoes, fried chicken, mashed potatoes, that sort of thing.”

I looked over the counter and nodded. Though I was embarrassed and in too much pain to think about eating, I couldn’t wait for the medicine to kick in so I could sleep through it. Also, I desperately wanted to keep his company.

“You must be exhausted,” I said as he looked down to me before he piled our plates ridiculously high. “You didn’t have to come back.”

“If there’s one thing—” he paused as he scooped some mashed potatoes on our plates “—I know, it’s muscle strain and aftercare. Go pick a movie. I’ll bring it to you.”

I selected the Outsiders and pushed the tape in. Rafe looked like a giant on my oversized couch. His appeal was overwhelming as I tried to keep my eyes averted. After the opening credits rolled, and out of habit, I began to speak along with the dialogue. Rafe turned to me, curious, as I winced in apology.

Food worked as a muzzle as I ate the most delicious chicken on the face of the planet while I sat next to Rafe watching one of my favorite movies. I fought hard to stay awake against the pull of the muscle relaxer. I didn’t want to miss a minute of it. I watched Rafe more than I did the movie, and when he caught me, he would simply smile.

Right before I dozed off, I put my hand in his. It was the best day of my life.

I studied her small hand in mine as she nodded off, her legs tucked underneath her and her head resting on my shoulder. She looked so perfect, not a hint of makeup, nothing but an old t-shirt and high shorts that exposed most of her bare thighs. I wanted nothing more than to wake her just so I could see her eyes again. I pulled her hand toward my mouth and kissed it as she sighed in a sleep stupor. That sigh did me in, and my cock jerked beneath my jeans. I was harder than I’d ever been in my life.

“Stay gold, Ponyboy. Stay gold.”

I looked up to the screen and back to Alice as she slept and once again scooped her into my arms. I stared at her for a brief moment as her lashes fluttered against her cheek and her sweet plump lips drew breath. Once I had her tucked in bed, I pulled out another movie and lay on her couch, thinking of only her. She was alone here, that much I knew. Aside from Andy, I was too. All my friends had either left Charleston once we graduated or had married off and were living their lives. I was on the road more often than not and barely had time to keep the relationships I had. My mother only called for a handout and my father, well...fuck him.

I knew exactly how Alice felt, except Charleston was home for me, and she’d been brave enough to come here alone. She needed someone and I wanted to be that someone for her. But deep down, I knew it would be close to impossible.

Andy was all that I had and a few fair-weather friends at the bar. But lately, Andy seemed so pissed off at me, I didn’t know how to talk to him anymore. He was dealing with his own shit, which I assumed had to do with Kristina. Alice came along at a perfect time, despite what Andy said.

We needed each other.

I wondered if I could handle my attraction for her and keep my hands away. Touching her earlier had felt so fucking right and had tested every single part of the man in me. If I was honest, she seemed fine with being alone.

In truth, I needed her.

Every time she looked at me, I wanted more of it. Every time she opened those perfect lips to speak, it was like Christmas. There was just something about her I couldn’t shake. Maybe it was her innocence, her honesty, or maybe it was just her.

“Fuck,” I mumbled