Chapter 3

 

I’ve followed this girl to every store in the mall. I don’t really care either. I love watching her. I don’t need to speak, or touch her, just watch. The way she thinks she doesn’t draw attention to herself. The way she doesn’t even realize how beautiful she really is.  Angel has a perception of herself, and that’s not the real her.

“Do you think we should have streamers?” She asks me questioningly. I just shrug when she looks at me.

“I wouldn’t know what a birthday party has.” Angel looks at me strange.  “I never had a party growin’ up. My parents weren’t those kinds of parents,” I say matter of factly. Her mouth falls open. I don’t want that from her. I’m used to it.

“That’s shitty. When is your birthday?” She asks with happiness in her eyes.

“Last month. Sorry, sweetheart. You missed it,” I say with a grin, knowing that she was thinking of a party for me. That’s not going to happen. Never had one, don’t need one now. Angel sticks her tongue out at me, making me laugh before she turns back.  When we finally leave the last store, we have seven bags and a handful of balloons. Thank God, we brought the truck.

“You sure you got enough?” I jokingly ask.  I’m only fucking with her but I can see the serious look in her eyes.

“You think we need more?” The fear that she isn’t doing all she can, shines through. I wonder what the hell is making her this way?

“I was jokin’, darlin’. You have plenty.” Angel visibly relaxes as I load all her stuff into the truck. I walk back around to open her door for her, but she doesn’t move.

“What’s wrong?” I ask.  Her eyes fill with tears. It rips away at my insides that she’s crying.

“Do you mind if we make one more stop?” Shaking my head, I reach up and wipe her cheeks.

“I’ll take you anywhere you want.” She gives me a sad smile before climbing in. Closing the door, I walk around to my side, wondering what the hell it is I’m doing with this girl. There is no way in hell that this would ever work out. So why the do I feel like I’m breaking down with her? 

***

“Turn left, and then stop at the end of the fence.” She directs me. I follow her directions, but my stomach flops inside of me. This isn’t an area that I’m used to. In fact, it’s the complete opposite. This is for the high-class, rich people.

“Right here?” I ask glancing over at her. Angel nods her head. I pull the truck to a stop at the end of the fence, just like she told me to. There’s a huge house that sits right off the road. It’s amazing. It has a long driveway that wraps around in front of the house. Angel sits quietly looking up at it. I don’t say anything, just wait for her, but when she sobs, I lose it. I slide across the front of the seat and pull her into my arms.

“It’s ok. Don’t cry, Angel.” I tell her trying to be helpful.  Her sobs kick me in the stomach, though. “Whose house is that?” I ask. Angel pulls back and looks up at me.

“Mine. Well, my parent’s actually,” She says as my eyes jerk from her, to the house, and back.

“You’re kiddin’ me?” Shaking her head, she wipes at her eyes.

“Nope. That’s where I used to live.” I want to ask her more. I want to ask her what the hell happened, but I know by the look on her face that I shouldn’t push it.

“Things change, Devil. Nothing stays the same forever,” She says in a low voice. My eyes find hers. I want to hold her.

I wrap my hand around the back of her neck, pulling her mouth to mine. My lips touch hers just briefly, the slightest of touches. She’s so soft–so perfect. My tongue comes out, tracing a line over her bottom lip. Savoring the taste of her, I close my mouth over hers. Angel is surprised, hell, so am I.  Our tongues begin to dance with each other and Angel begins to pant.  When I pull away, my hands refuse to move. They stay there, tangled around her neck, holding her.

“I’m not a good man, Angel.” Whispering against her lips, I don’t know what else to say.  She doesn’t respond. We don’t speak for a few long minutes, until I see someone open the door to the house.

“Someone’s there,” I say, nodding toward the house, she pulls away.  Angel spins around to look before her hands come up to cover her mouth. She watches for a few seconds until she yells, “Drive, Devil. Please!”