How Lost Souls Love

Sleepover

MAISIE POV

By the time I got home from being with Dax it was 10pm. After I saw Dax the way he was in the truck it was hard to leave him. I really wanted to stay. Luckily Dax thought of a way to keep us both happy. 

Hopefully it worked I thought as I opened the front door. 

“Maisie?” 

Noah was sitting in the living room watching TV. He turned to me slowly and waited to see what I would do. 

When I finally turned my phone back on a half hour ago I had 12 paragraph text messages from Noah and 32 missed calls. 

My dad had text me back to tell me to take my time and call him if I needed him. And then again about two hours ago telling me I needed to come home and talk to Noah because he was a mess and he wanted us to make up. 

Noah had swollen eyes and a defeated expression on his face. He was in the same clothes from yesterday, the ones he came home in, and he looked like he had been beating himself up all day. 

Guilt clung to me as I looked at him and now I wish I hadn’t turned off my phone all day like I had. I drop my stuff on the floor next to the island in the kitchen, then walk over and plop on the couch across from Noah. 

We stare at each other for a while. Each of us is not sure who should start. Eventually the silence is broken by our dad. 

“If one of you doesn’t say something I’m gonna smack the both of you.” He says scowling and crossing his arms from the hallway. 

Silence. 

“Fine. Then you both get the dad lecture. Noah sit here.” He says pointing right next to me. Noah does as he says and we both sit on the couch with our arms crossed facing my dad. He sits on the coffee table right in front of us bumping knees. We are so close we have no choice but to look at him and listen. 

“Maisie. Next time you need some space, go ahead and take it. But young lady.. you DO NOT turn off your phone again and blatantly ignore me and your brother.” He says pointing a finger right at me. “Do you have any idea how worried your brother was about you? What you went through was horrible, but do you realize that in a way your brother went through it too. He spent over 8 hours today trying to call you and make sure you weren’t dead in a ditch somewhere! And when I finally got home he was crumpled on the floor trying to convince himself you were ok.” He says glaring at me with his scornful dad look. 

I’m speechless. I have to admit I didn’t think about what turning my phone off would mean for Noah. I didn’t mean to worry him. I look at Noah for the first time and hate what I see. My big brother is crying. His head is down and he is crying because I made him scared something happened to me. Noah sniffs up his watery nose and refuses to look at me. My dad keeps going. 

“Next time, no matter how pissed off you are at him, do him the same courtesy you did me and at least let him know you're ok! Do you understand me?”  My dad asks looking right at me. His face is determined and a bit scary.. I’ve never seen the “Your in big trouble” face from my dad. So right now seeing it, I know I really messed up. 

“Yes sir.” I say looking down at my hands. 

“And you mister Noah Fetu Collins! You can't not show up for your sister and then get mad when somebody else does. Amy is a sweet girl son and i think she is amazing. I love seeing you happy. But you need to figure out your priorities a bit more. If you weren't going to be back in time you could have let us know. If anything Dax could have come and been here for her earlier so she didn't have to have such a hard night.”

“It’s not his fault.” I say. I’m still looking at my hands. Tears started to escape my eyes. I see them both look at me a little stunned at my words. Noah is still crying but he peeks my way from the corner of his eyes. 

“I’m not mad at Noah for breaking his promise..” I say sniffling and rubbing the back of my hand across my nose. “I mean, I am, but I’ll get over it. It's not a promise he should have had to keep in the first place. It's not his fault i'm afraid of storms.” I say looking up to look right at my brother. “I’m mad because you keep acting like you're waiting for me to have another episode. I’m not broken Noah. Im trying.. i'm trying to get better but it’s hard to do that when It’s like your just waiting for me to freak out.Your expectations can’t be my failure.”

“That’s really well put Maisie hunny.” My dad says. He looks back at Noah. “Look son. I know you want to protect Maisie. Hell I do too. But some things she will have to do on her own. You can’t make unrealistic promises of always being next to her if she has a setback. And if you're not there when she does have a setback, it doesn’t mean you failed her in anyway either. If it did then I would have failed her that day at the shop when I was out and old woman Irahs car backfired.” He said. 

I look at my dad and hope that he really means what he’s saying to Noah. That day was a complete accident and I didn’t blame him for not being there. 

“I don’t blame either of you for not being there.” I say putting a hand on my dad’s knee. Then I reach over and take Noah's hand. “I just want you to accept that I'm doing my best.”

“I know you are Maiz.” Noah says sniffling again. “And I’m really sorry. Really, truly sorry. I just felt really guilty that Dax was there for you again when I couldn’t be.” 

“No. You feel guilty he was there when you should have been.” My dad corrected. 

“Daddy..” I say shooting him a look. I had already forgiven Noah. I didn’t want him making him feel worse about it. 

“Father to son here Noah, don’t get so lost in your girlfriend that you lose your baby sister ok. There are only so many broken promises she will forgive before she kicks you in the jewels.” He says looking at us with a funny face. 

I giggle. 

“You owe Dax an apology.” He said pointing at Noah. “And you and Dax owe me more Oreos!” He says pointing at me. 

I laugh even more. Even Noah cracks and breaks down laughing. He wipes his face with the back of his hands and looks over at me. I smile, he smiles, and the next thing you know i'm wrapped in his arms in a tight hug.

“Im sorry Maisie.”

“Me too. I didn't mean to scare you. I was just mad. I promise next time i'll try and get myself together long enough to at least let you know im ok.”

“Alright kids.” my dad says getting up and tapping us both on the head. “It's late. Lets get some sleep ok?”

We nod and head down the hallway to our rooms saying our goodnights. I go in my room and close the door behind me and sigh. Leaning my head against the door I let a few tears slip down my cheeks.

“Are you ok?”

With a shaky breath I nod my head and lock the door. I turn around to see Dax sitting on my bed looking at me sadly. My room is cold because the window is open from where he climbed through. I walk over and slide it down before pulling the curtains closed. 

“I'm ok.” I walk over and curl up next to Dax. he wraps his arms around me as I rest my head and hands in his chest and lean back against my headboard. “I never thought about how what happened to me could scare the people around me too. Seeing Noah crying like that.. It's something i wish i never had to see.”

“He loves you. I didn't realize you turned your phone off or i probably would have warned you about how that would turn out. When your accident first happened, Noah would sit by his phone and wait for you to call or text him back. He would get really worried if he didn't hear from you at least once an hour. Even when we knew it had to be obvious you were asleep he would sit awake and worry. He may never admit it, but even Noah has gotten more sleep now that you're actually here. '' he chuckles.

“I guess.”

A loud and annoying yawn escapes my mouth and I'm embarrassed at first. Soon Dax lets out the same exhausted sound and I look to my door nervously. We wait for a second before chuckling lightly to ourselves.

“Remind me to smother you with a pillow the next time you have to yawn.” I giggled.

He groans and scoots us down on the bed. “Lets just go to sleep. I have to wake up an hour before the rest of you to go home and change before heading to the shop.” he says letting go of me with one hand to rub his eyes.

I smile and roll away from him to go to my closet and get the extra blanket. Dax and I talked for a while after his episode. We knew we slept better together than we did on our own. I had suggested sneaking out and staying the night with Dax at his apartment but He said he didn't think Lotto or Noah would like that. I was disappointed at first because I liked the idea of having him with me to chase the bad dreams away. I also liked the idea of being there for Dax if he needed me too.

We both knew it was what we wanted. So we came up with this idea instead. If one of us was having a really bad day and we needed the other, Dax would climb through my window and stay with me. He could set an alarm and leave before anyone woke up, and we would use separate blankets in case we got caught so it would appease my dad and brother just a bit more. If we did get caught the last thing we wanted was for them to assume we were having s*x.  

Noah grabbed the blanket and pulled my comforter from under him to push towards me. I wrapped myself in like a burrito and puffed up my pillow. Dax kicked off his shoes and just pulled the blanket up to his chest in front of him not bothering to actually cover his body. It made me laugh. Here I am the one that loved the cold but I was wrapped in my blankets as if cold was the end of the world.

“What's so funny?” he asked with a sleepy amused smile.

“Nothing. I'm just glad I could be here for you is all.” I say, smiling at him. I reach up and run my fingers through his hair and stop to rub and nead soothingly at the back of his neck. I did it earlier to soothe him when he was in his truck and it seemed to help a lot. Knowing how falling asleep after a bad day can sometimes cause nightmares I hoped doing it now would help keep them away.

Dax closed his eyes and let out a breath. We didn't say anything else. I rubbed his head until his breathing became relaxed and even, telling me he had fallen asleep. I yawn and snuggle closer to him. 

Dax POV

I was sulking around my apartment throwing treats down the hallway and watching Beast run after it to scarf it down. 

I had been sleeping a lot better with mine and Maisies arrangement the past couple weeks. We had agreed that if we felt we needed to, that I would go to her room and we would be there for one another. 

The problem is that neither one of us had needed one another the past few days. I was getting better sleep so I was having even fewer episodes. Even Maisie was perkier than she usually was. 

It was both relieving and annoying because even though I know I shouldn’t, I really wanted Her by my side. After Maisie  and Noah made up I stayed away a few days to give him some time to cool off. We eventually bro hugged it out but I could tell he still wasn’t sure what to think of mine and Maisies friendship. 

Friendship.. 

Sometimes I wondered about that. Where maisie and I really still just friends? I mean, we sleep together. Sleep being the literal word. We hold hands, even though I guess we never really talked about it. And we text each other everyday and sit on the phone all through the night. Aside from kissing and intimacy… everything about the way we are with each other screams more. 

Even Harbor asked me when I was bringing my girlfriend back to see her. I laughed and told her Maisie would be back soon. She beamed at me with a smile that could blind the sun and I just laughed. I didn’t mean to confirm that maisie was my girlfriend, but I sure as hell liked the sound of it 

My phone vibrated next to me so I put the bag of treats down, much to Beasts dismay, and looked over at it 

Maisie: I don’t suppose you're having a bad day or anything…

I laugh. I guess Maisie and I think more alike than I thought. 

Dax: Nope. You?

Maisie: no.. 

Maisie: :/ 

Dax: maybe we could still do something?

Maisie: ??? 

Dax: we could watch a movie in your room? And if you want I could stay.

Dax: if not I can come back home. 

Maisie: YES! Lol 

Maisie: stay! Please

I laugh out loud. At Least now I know she is getting as attached to sleeping with me as I am to her. 

Dax: On my way. Lol

Maisie: Yay!! 

I laugh before getting up from the couch and practically skipping to my room like an i***t. I throw on a fresh shirt and some basketball shorts. Beast jumps into my dresser drawer and meows loudly. 

Crap. I better feed him now while I’m at it. I go to the kitchen we’re his food bowl sits on the floor and fill it up. He digs in right away. Worried he won’t have enough I pour even more in the bowl and just let it spill to the floor. 

If I want a good night's sleep the last thing I want is to be worried about Beast not having enough food. 

After a 30 minute drive I park down the street from Maisies house and text her that I’m there. My phone immediately rings. I answer. 

“What’s up? I’m about to come in now.” I say putting my car in park. 

“Noah saw your text saying you were coming over. I just told him about our movie night and he wants to watch too.” She says, a bit nervous. 

“Uhhhh….” I blank. I don’t know what she wants me to say. I hear he shuffle on the other end of the phone and then she whispers 

“Park in the driveway for now. Move your car later. It’s ok.” 

“Alright.” 

After just parking in the driveway I go in and bullshit with Noah for a little bit before settling in to watch the movie with them. 

I want to sit next to Maisie and pull her up to my chest to sit between my legs and lean back to watch the movie but I know I can’t. 

After Noah plants himself firmly next to Maisie on the couch I know sitting with her isn’t an option either. 

What a total c**k block, I think glaring silent daggers at the side of his head. We sit through and watch Transformers laughing and commenting here and there. 

We watch a bit of random TV before Noah announces he’s going to bed. He gives me a stern yet weird look before kissing Maisies head,  going into his room, and shutting the door behind him. 

Maisie lets out a deep breath and crawls across the couch to give me a hug. I smile and breathe in her sunscreen beach smell. 

“It feels weird not being able to hug you or cuddle when you're this close to me.” She said almost sad as she buried her face in my collar. 

“Yeah.” I say giving her waist a big squeeze. “HE is asleep now though. Do you wanna watch more tv? Or do you want to go to sleep. 

“How about we watch TV in my room and go to sleep.” She says sitting back up and smiling at me. 

“Ok.” I say smiling back at her and pushing a loose strand of hair away from her eyes. We take all of our cups and snack dishes to the kitchen to clean. 

The front door opens and Maisies dad walks in. s**t. I didn’t even think to ask where Lotto was. 

“Daddy!” Maisie says looking up surprised. “I thought you were asleep? When did you leave?” She asks pausing from the dishes to look at him. 

Lotto smiles and just shoos her away. “Went for a drink with your cousin Danny. You guys were pretty into your movie and I knew I wouldn’t be gone long so I left you be.” He says coming over and kissing his daughter on the head. 

“Dax.” He says nodding his head at me. “A bit late for you isn’t it son?” He asks with a smirk on his face. 

I look at him a bit confused. What? Maisie looks the same as me. I stay over all the time.. even if he doesn’t know I’ve been here more recently in Maisies room it’s not unusual for me to be here this late. 

“I was actually just heading out. I just wanted to help maisie clean up.” I say smiling. 

“Oh ok. Well it looks like you're all done..” 

What the heck? 

“Yeah.. um. I’ll uh, see you later Maisie.” I say walking away from her. Maisie looks at me both confused and pleading. I walk behind Lotto and shrug. I have no idea what’s happening right now. 

Then as if things can’t get any weirder Lotto busts out laughing. He had literal tears in his eyes by the time he finally spoke. “Oh god!” He laughs, wiping his eyes. “That was just too good. Dax! Get over here and sit down.” He says, still smiling but pushing a chair out for me to sit on. 

“First of all. Let me start by saying I’m kind of disappointed in the both of you.” He says, still smirking at us both. 

“What?” Maisie says in complete shock  

“I’ve known Dax since he was a boy Maisie. You think I don’t know what kind of cars this boy drives?” He says laughing slightly. 

Fuck. … Now I understand where this is going. He knows. I look at maisie and it’s like it clicks for her too and her face pales. 

“Now. I want to point out that if I didn’t know who you were Dax, and know without a doubt, that you would NEVER  hurt my daughter.. you would be a dead man right now.” He said, his smile falling and looking at me seriously. 

“ Daddy it’s not ..” 

“Oh I know it’s not.” Lotto says looking at Maisie with the same serious face. “If it was he wouldn’t be breathing. And you..” He says pointing a finger at her. “Would have been locked in a tower weeks ago!” He says chuckling. 

“Wait… you're not mad?” I ask. I facepalm mentally. Really? Would I rather he be mad at me? 

Lotto looks at me. And takes a deep breath. 

“I don’t appreciate the sneaking around. I don’t appreciate the secrets. And I know you both know the time bomb you're playing with doing this with Noah in the same house. Especially given how he already feels about your friendship..” he says looking at the both of us. “But I also know that both of you have been doing a lot better. And you haven't tried to do anything inappropriate. I even saw you using two separate blankets which makes it better. Whatever this is, friendship.. or whatever.. I’m ok with it.” He says smiling at Maisie. 

I look at her and smile too. I didn’t expect this at all. 

“But the second this becomes more than a friendly type of sleepover!” He says snapping back in my direction and pointing a finger in my face. “ I swear I will kill the both of you! Resurrect you and kill you both again! If whatever this is becomes more.. do me a favor and have enough respect to not do it!” He says glaring at me. 

I gulp. Yup. This I expected. 

“Yes sir.” I say a bit nervous and look right at him. Maisie is giggling lightly behind her dad and I glare at her. This is not the time to be laughing. 

“It’s ok Daddy. I wouldn’t do that. Plus, we are just…” She trails off looking at me a little sideways like she’s waiting for me to fill in the blank. I chuckle. 

Yeah.. I don’t know what we are either. 

“Thanks dad.” She says deciding to just hug him instead. 

“Yeah yeah yeah… I just couldn’t watch Dax move his car down the street and wake up at the c***k of dawn to leave anymore. If you're gonna stay just stay. At Least then I’ll make enough eggs in the morning.” He sighs and squeezes maisie as she laughs. “You guys are lucky I’m such a cool dad..” He says sighing dramatically as he walks to his room saying his good nights. 

“Goodnight dad.” Maisie laughs. 

“Goodnight Lotto.”

“It’s sir now to you!” He says looking back at me. He laughs and salutes me as he closes the door. 

I look back at maisie and we both can’t help but laugh. “I wasn’t expecting that.” She says coming around to hug me. “At Least I know my dad isn’t mad at me. I didn’t like keeping things from him.” 

“Yeah. We still have Noah though..” 

“Soon.” She says. And I nod. I yawn escapes me and maisie copies. 

“Come on. You mind as well leave your car there. You can just get up and move to the couch later for Noah’s sake.” She says grabbing my hand and pulling me towards her room. 

I fall into my spot on the bed and kick off my shoes. Maisie closes the door and turns off the lights before plopping in next to me and scooting into my side. 

I wrap my arm around her waist and smile as she sighs and relaxes into me. I mind as well sell my bed, because I don’t think I’d ever sleep in it again.