Worth Taking The Risk (18 page)

“It must’ve been hard on you too.” he said.

I blinked and looked at him. “I mean…well yes it was hard but I’m doing fine now.”

His face softened and he caressed my cheek. “You don’t have to lie to me. I see it still hurts you.”

I frowned. “No I’m-”

“Keller, you can trust me.” he leaned in and kissed my forehead. “Sometimes its good to cry and spill everything out.”

I sighed. “Since when you became so wise?”

“I’ve always been wise.” he winked.

I closed my eyes and sighed. Maybe I could tell him what happened. I haven’t talked to anyone about this. I even stopped going with that psychologist. It only hurt to talk about the past, and it was so uncomfortable to talk about something personal with someone who was just analyzing you. But Mitch was different, he seemed to care if only a little bit.

I opened my eyes to look at him, when did everything change? As I looked at him I couldn’t help but feel…feel… feel what?!

So instead I kissed him gently on the lips. The kiss stayed that way, gentle end soft. Not rushed by either side.

A cough interrupted us.

I looked up and saw Ambrose with his arm around a short looking boy. He was a head shorter than Ambrose, deep brown eyes that looked away from me when I started checking him out. My he’s shy! But his hair did get my attention. It was a white blonde with spots dyed blue and styled in a crazy way. His skin so pale! And it looked even more because of the clothes he was wearing. Black jeans, a purple shirt that had a dinosaur staring up at the rainbow and a small flower on its mouth.

The boy is adorable.

I stood up and so did Mitch.

“Guys, this is Chris my boyfriend.” Ambrose smiled proudly and Chris blushed.

“I’m Keller.” I smiled and kissed Chris’ cheek.

“Mitch.” my boyfriend said.

My boyfriend.

That sounds strangely awesomely great!

Chris stared at Mitch and then at the crutches. Mitch narrowed his eyes at the boy. “Got a problem?”

Chris shook his head furiously and buried his face in Ambrose’s chest, looking up at him with confused and scared eyes.

“Chris, that’s my best friend.” he pointed at me. “And that’s her boyfriend.” he pointed an accusing finger at Mitch and glared at him.

Oh! He’s so cute!

“Enough with the glaring battle, none of you is going to drop dead.” I rolled my eyes at both Ambrose and Mitch. Then turned to Chris. “Has he offered you something to drink?”

Chris shook his head timidly.

“You haven’t?! What type of boyfriend are you?” I turned to Ambrose who blushed.

“He just got here!”

I rolled my eyes. “Would you like something to drink?”

“Water is fine.” Chris smiled a little.

“I’m your boyfriend and you don’t offer me anything to drink. What type of girlfriend are you?” Mitch smirked.

I handed Chris a glass filled up with water and he eagerly took it. “I just fed you so be happy.”

Mitch chuckled and then we went to the living room.

Mitch sat next to me and Ambrose and Chris across from us.

“So how did you met?” I asked interested to hear this out. Ambrose never gave me details.

Surprisingly it was Chris who talked. “I work at a movie rent and Ambrose was very fond of going there and not even rent a single movie after the first. He just went and pretended to look for something. While stalking me.”

“I did not stalk you! I was looking for an old movie.” Ambrose blushed.

“You so were stalking. One day I got tired of it and asked what his problem was. Things happened and I asked him on a date after that he officially asked me to be his boyfriend.”

Chris asked Ambrose on a date?!

Huh, appearances
do
fool you.

After that we just talked and fooled around. It turns out Chris
is
shy with everyone else except with Ambrose. He acts so confident with him. Then they had to leave on their date and hours later Mitch left too.

I was alone in the house, Maggie and dad haven’t arrived from the doctor and I began to worry. My eyes suddenly felt heavy and everything began to darken.

][-][-][-][-][

The sun in my face woke me up. I was in my room. How did I get here?

With a yawn I got up and took a shower then changed into a pair of jeans and a green shirt, then pulled my hair into a loose ponytail.

I hurried downstairs and saw Maggie making breakfast. “Morning.” I grabbed an apple. “How did it go?”

“The psychiatrist gave him new medication. He said Ed will get better with this one.” she smiled sadly at me.

“Is he sleeping?” I asked.

She nodded.

“Alright. Well I got to go, I’ll see you at night.” and I was out of the house.

….

When I got to the Gaynor’s house I saw a familiar car parked outside. I frowned and knocked the door. Mitch opened and smiled when he saw me, planting a peck on my lips as a greeting.

“You’re going to hate the next couple of hours.” he whispered and I frowned.

“What are you-”

“Keller!” Michael Brooks came running towards me and hugged my waist. “I missed you.” that little…

“Mrs. Brooks.” I smiled at the woman.

“Keller, hi. I hope you don’t mind taking care of Michael for three hours? We’ll pay you double.”

I nodded. “I can watch him.”

“Mitch can help you.” Emma smiled.

My actual job with the Gaynor’s was to keep Mitch company and help him in everything he needed.

With that the adults left.

I haven’t asked what Emma or Richard do in all their time away from their house, I don’t think I want to know.

“I want cookies!” Michael demanded.

“I’m going.” I said and walked towards the kitchen.

“I want cookies now!”

I groaned and looked for cookies.

“On the top shelf.” Mitch said.

And sure thing, a jar of cookies were there. I grabbed a few and placed them in a plate. Then I poured some milk in a cup.

“Where’s Melissa?” I asked Mitch as we went back to the living room where Michael was watching some cartoons. I placed the cookies and milk on the table and she began to eat.

Mitch shrugged. “After crying and complaining to me how much I hurt her she, slapped me and left. Saying that I’ll never see her again and that I’ll regret just that.”

I laughed. “She’s crazy.”

“Aren’t you jealous?” Mitch asked incredulous.

I scowled. “Should I be?”

Mitch smiled. “Well now I have to worry about Ivy. We are going to this dinner in a couple of days.” he groaned. “I can’t stand the girl. I’ll convince my mom to let you come.”

I chuckled.

“Keller, my stomach hurts.” Michael made a sad face and wrapped his little arms around his stomach.

“I have some pain killers. But let me call your mother.”

I searched through my contacts, aha!

“Mrs. Brooks? It’s Keller Adzharia.”

“Keller? Is Michael okay?” her voice suddenly took a nervous touch.

“He’s alright, just a slight stomachache. I wanted to ask if he was allergic to anything?”

“No, he’s not. We’ll head over there now, thank you Keller.” and she hung up.

I gave Michael something for his stomach and minutes later the Brooks where here to take him. Emma and Richard went straight to their bedroom.

“Well I guess it was an early call.” I began to gather my things when Mitch hand stopped me by grabbing my arm.

“Stay.” Mitch said looking at me with hope in his eyes.

I nodded and returned his smile.

Chapter 26

This is unbelievingly uncomfortable. Everyone was staring at us as we made our way to the senator’s table.

It’s been a week since I stayed at Mitch’s house. Nothing happened, we did sleep in the same bed but it didn’t went beyond slight kissing and holding each other.

Yesterday he asked his mother if he could take me to the dinner at the senator’s house. Emma was thrilled and said yes instantly. She even bought me a dress. Dress that I am wearing now. It was a strapless turquoise color. It clung to my body like a second skin and it was a little bit uncomfortable to wear I have to admit. She even got me this heels to go with it and let me borrow some of her jewelry. Which I tried to convince her not to but she’s a stubborn woman.

Mitch on the other hand looked better than ever. He wore a suit, with the first few buttons undone and no tie. But this time he didn’t have his crutches with him. So that meant he was limping a little…okay a lot. Richard refused to let him out from the house with the crutches. Apparently he called the doctor and is trying to reschedule a surgery. The doctor said it was good for Mitch to try and walk on his bad leg so it’ll start gaining strength.

And now Mitch is in pain. I can tell by the look in his eyes and the way he’s gripping my hand.

“Mason!” Emma smiled at a gray haired man. Maybe around his fifties.

“Emma.” he smiled warmly and they hugged. “Richard, pleasure to see you again.” he shook Richard’s hand and turned to us. “Look at you Mitch! Ivy was right, you’ve changed and for the good. Now who is this lovely lady?”

“Keller Adzharia, my girlfriend.”

I felt a tingly sensation at the way he said that.

There was surprise in Mason’s eyes but he simply smiled and nodded then offered us to seat, which we gladly did. Emma and Richard went off to meet some other people.

“Are you alright? Want anything?” I turned to Mitch.

He scowled. “I’m not a little kid. But no, I don’t want anything.”

I rolled my eyes and we sat there watching people talk and dance.

A tap on my shoulder made me look back. A young cute looking guy smiled at me. “Want to dance?”

I blinked, then frowned. “No thank you.”

It was his turn to frown. “Mind if I seat with you.”

I turned to look at Mitch who had a death glint in his eye. “Sure.”

“How are you doing so far?” he sat across from us.

“Very good, thanks.” I didn’t try to make conversation and the table went silent for a few seconds.

“What’s your name?” the boy asked.

“Keller.” I felt Mitch’s hand grip mine harder.

“I’m Andre.”

Suddenly the air was being sucked out of my lungs thanks to Mitch’s not so gentle kiss. Afterwards I was left panting, wide-eyed, red as a tomato and my mind in la-la-land.

“So you two are together?” the boy asked the obvious.

“Got it right man.” Mitch kissed my cheek and winked at me.

The guy nodded and after a few awkward minutes he left the table.

“Next time you do that, give me a little warning. I nearly had an asthma attack.”

Mitch chuckled. “You don’t have asthma.”

“So?”

Mitch gave me a confused stare. “Did you had any alcohol?”

“I’m not drunk.” I rolled my eyes. “Forget it.” I sighed and leaning into his shoulder.

We only had a few minutes of peace.

“Mitch!” a girly voice said and practically sat on MY boyfriend.

If looks could kill she’ll be buried ten feet down already, I swear. I mean, I’m not fan of jealousy but come on she’s practically raping him!

“Ivy move.” he said in a tired and annoyed voice.

She pouted but moved away anyways.

The whole night she kept bugging Mitch and making faces at me, indirectly calling me names. In a few words: annoying the crap out of us.

*The Next Day* (KELLER’S HOUSE)

“We should go on a double date.” I suggested.

Ambrose brightened up. “Really?!”

“Yeah. Nothing fancy, more like a hang out. We can go to the pizza place and then hang out at the park.” I shrugged.

“That’ sounds great. Let me call Chris!” he grabbed his phone and called his boyfriend while I did the same.

Today was my day off. But I still wanted to hang out with Mitch so I dialed his number and after three rings he answered.

“Hello girl, what’s up?” isn’t he so romantic?

I rolled my eyes. “Just wondering, are you going out today?”

A minute of silence. “Nop. Why?”

“Do you want to hang out with Ambrose and I?” Ambrose was jumping in front of me nodding his head like crazy. “And Chris?”