Good Boy

CHAPTER 15

I felt like I was under water and had no idea how to get to the surface, the words 'they want you back' flashing behind my eyelids every time I closed them. 

I knew, logically, that my body was sitting next to Easton's in his car as he drove us to his home in silence. But, my mind was elsewhere. 

It felt like I was six years old again, trapped in a concrete cell and no idea how to get home. I was still just a scared little boy curled up in the corner of a freezing cold room with no way out.

I didn't know how to ask for help or if I should even try. I knew I wasn't worth it. As soon as Easton learned the truth about my past, he'd be inclined to agree.

The motion of the car stopping and being put in park drew me out of my daze enough to take in my surroundings. 

Easton's house wasn't what I had pictured in my head. The sun was rising slowly, leaving the world in a shadow of soft pinks and yellows that made it only a little harder to notice all the details. From what I could see, the home in front of me was a one story with little flower boxes in the windows. The shutters were brown to match the roof and the siding looked to be a muted yellow. The pathway up to the house was surrounded by different flowers and the front door was also the same brown as the roof. 

It was a precious little home and I was lucid enough to be surprised that Easton lived somewhere like this instead of a copy and paste condo or penthouse. 

"I hope this is okay. I don't want you to feel like you didn't have a choice, but I couldn't let you stay at that apartment." Easton's voice startled me in the silence and he whispered an apology after I flinched at the reminder of what happened.

"S'fine. Just wanna sleep." I pushed the door open and got out on wobbly legs. I could hear Easton getting out as well and heard his footsteps rushing over to me. 

"Let me help." He reached a hand out toward my arm and I flinched back, snapping, "Don't touch me!" 

Easton raised his hands in a surrendering gesture and took a step back. I slammed the car door shut and started walking toward the house. 

Easton followed me and eventually had to step around me to unlock the door. I swallowed thickly as he led me inside, closing and locking the door back behind us.

The house was just as cozy on the inside as it was on the outside. I only wished I was able to enjoy it fully, but my nerves wouldn't settle. 

"You can have a seat on the couch. Would you like some coffee? Or I have some hot chocolate?" 

"I'm fine, thanks." I knew I was being petulant, but I could take perfect care of myself and Easton was hovering.

The living room was straight ahead and from what I could see the kitchen was to the left. Easton nodded to my response and I took that as my cue to go sit on the couch. I thought he would walk to the kitchen, but he ended up walking off somewhere to the right. 

The couch was an off white and so comfortable I wanted to sink into it, but I just took a hesitant seat at the edge of a cushion and started wringing my hands together in my lap. 

I heard Easton's heavy footfalls coming closer after a moment and looked up to find him with an armful of fuzzy blankets. I rose a brow. 

"You look cold." He lifted a shoulder in response and I scoffed. 

"Can you not?" Easton froze where he stood and I didn't want to look at his sad eyes anymore so I stared down at my hands, taking a breath to try and relax. It felt like there was a wall I couldn't tear down preventing me from fully letting go of the night's events and I hated that Easton was seeing me like that.

Easton didn't say anything, so I spoke once more, "I don't need you to take care of me. I'm fully capable of that on my own, thanks." I felt bad for being short with him when all he wanted to do was help, but I couldn't let him get too close. 

"Finn." 

My heart started pounding faster at the tone in his voice. It was completely different from the soft and cautious one he had been using all night. I kept my gaze glued to my shaking hands. 

"Look at me." His words left no room for argument so I hesitantly lifted my eyes to meet his. His stare was set on me and a frown plastered sternly on his face. 

"You're gonna lay down, and you're gonna let me take care of you," Easton started, and when I tried to respond, he lifted a hand up and cut me off, "No ands, ifs, or buts about it. Am I clear?"

I gulped. I had never seen this side of Easton before and I was ashamed to admit it made me feel floaty. 

His voice was firm, almost like he was commanding a dog, but it didn't feel degrading in the slightest. 

I nodded shakily and stretched out on the couch, staring at Easton as I did. 

As ashamed as I was to admit, it felt like something shifted inside of me and was finally starting to settle. 

"Good boy." I melted into the couch and my eyes fluttered shut at the praise. I had never felt like this before. 

What is he doing to me?

A soft blanket was laid on top of me and I slowly reopened my eyes to the sight of a soft looking Easton standing above me. Instead of the crippling fear I expected to follow that realization, I sank even further into the couch, feeling safer than I ever had before. 

Hesitantly, Easton put his hand under my head and lifted. I followed his direction easily as he maneuvered himself to sit on the couch and then lowered my head into his lap. 

“Is this okay?” He asked me, taking the edge of the blanket that covered me and pulling it up to my chin. "Mhm." I could only hum an affirmative, completely shocked at my own reaction to the man ordering me around. Why is this making me feel so protected?

Alarm bells were ringing in my head, but not out of fear of Easton. More so screaming at me that this was becoming dangerous. I was trusting him too much far too easily and he was seeing a side of me no one had ever been allowed to see before. 

"That's it, you're doing so good. I could tell you needed this. Let me give it to you?" I felt like everything shifted between us far too quickly, but after finding my apartment in a mess of my personal belongings and feeling so out of control of everything, I was too tired to question why I suddenly felt like I could be like this with Easton. His hand began carding through my curls and I lightly nodded against his thigh, turning on my side toward him as I nuzzled my face into his stomach. 

Little tingles zapped from my scalp and down the back of my neck and spine as Easton played with my hair. I could feel him wrapping a single curl around a finger and tugging lightly before letting it go. He repeated that motion multiple times. 

I sighed into his stomach and loosely wrapped my arms around his torso, shuffling even further against him. He huffed a laugh at this and my face burned in embarrassment at him seeing me turn into goo at his touch. Before I could move away, his free arm rested gently over my back and held me against him. 

I couldn't believe our position. Just the other day, I was keeping him at arms length. But, he was right, I did need this. Even if I didn't understand it. Even if I didn't deserve it. 

A fuzzy feeling settled into my bones and I felt like I could finally breathe again. Like my head finally broke the surface of the water I had been drowning in since the events from last night. 

I didn't know how to thank Easton. He was giving me something I didn't even know I needed. Was that what having a fated mate was like? If so, I didn't think I could handle it. I couldn't keep living if I got used to him only for him to leave me behind, too. 

The feeling of one of my walls crumbling to accommodate Easton was terrifying, but the desire to stay in his arms like this took over every other thought I had. Whenever he decided I was too much and left, I would just have to cross that bridge when I got to it. I finally felt safe after my home was violated and there was nothing that could make me want to leave the comfort Easton provided me in that moment. 

Even if it was only temporary.

A/N~ We're back, baby;) 

Sorry I haven't updated in a while, it's been hectic over here. Hope you all enjoy this chapter, you can also no read chapter 16 on Patreon/Ream for just $3-5 a month<3

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