Through My Window

Original Edition: 24. The Morning After

CHAPTER 24

ARES HIDALGO

The first thing I feel when I wake up is something warm next to me, the contact of skin against my arm takes me by surprise, so I turn around and I see her.

Her eyes closed, her long lashes resting on her cheekbones, her mouth closed as she breaths slowly. She looks so delicate and fragile. My chest tightens. I jump off the bed, stepping away from her.

I need to get out of here.

I need to get away from her.

What the hell was I thinking?

Picking up my clothes off the floor, I quickly put on my boxers and shorts. I leave my room careful not to wake her up, I don't want to face her, I can't face her expectations and break her heart again. I can't make her cry and watch her run from me, not again.

Then go back in there.

The voice of my conscience reproaches me, but I can't do that either. I am not what she expects, or what she needs. I can't play relationship with someone when I don't believe in that shit because sooner or later I'll end up hurting her and ruining a good girl who doesn't deserve it.

If I know I can't give her what she wants, why do I keep attracting her to me? Why can't I let her go? Because I'm a damn selfish bastard, that's why, because just imagining her with someone else makes my blood boil. I can't be with her, but I don't want her with anyone else either. I run downstairs and grab my truck's keys from the table.

Run, like the selfish coward that you are.

I'm about to grab the doorknob when I hear someone clear their throat. I turn to see Artemis sitting on the sofa, wearing sports clothes, he must come from his morning exercise routine, "Where are you going looking like that?"

And that's when I realize I'm only wearing shorts, I don't even have shoes on, "Nowhere," I say quickly, returning the keys to their place, I don't want to sound like an idiot.

"Running away?"

"No, I'm just, you know, still sleepy."

Artemis gives me an incredulous look, "You don't have to lie, you're running from the girl who sleeps in your bed this morning, right?"

I don't even bother to deny it. Artemis knows absolutely everything that goes on in this house unlike my absent parents. I don't say anything, he just smiles and calls Claudia.

"Bring him a shirt and some shoes," he orders and Claudia disappears up the stairs.

"What are you doing?"

Artemis just shrugs, "Helping you out."

"Why would you do that?"

Artemis leans back, spreading his arms on the couch, "I'm your older brother, I'm supposed to help you through difficult times."

"You never help anyone without receiving anything in return."

He smiles, "Can't I help my brother for no ulterior motive?"

Claudia hands me the shirt and I put it on along with my shoes.

I narrow my eyes, watching him, I open my mouth to speak when Claudia is ahead of me, "Ares," she looks at me, "Rachel already woke up and asked me about you, I didn't know what to say to her."

Ah shit!

"Tell her I had to leave and I'm not coming back until later" I squeeze the keys in my hand, "Tell her to go home."