My Forever

Chapter 4

He didn’t try to calm me down, he just held me and let me cry. I don’t know how long we sat in that same position before I finally pulled away, but his arm remained around my shoulders.

“Do you want to talk about it? I’m a good listener.” He said, smiling at me.

With that, I told him everything. From my Dad dying to me pushing away all my friends. I had to work to pay the bills while my Mom lived her life like a careless teenager.

When I was done, I expected him to say something, but instead he pulled me back into a hug and just held me.

It was the first hug I had since my father’s funeral and it felt good. I’m not sure if it felt good because I missed human contact or if it was the fact my super sexy, much older boss was hugging me.

I tried to push the thought of how handsome he was out of my brain but it kept creeping back in. I needed to stop being a fool. He was only being nice to me because he felt bad. I was just a child in his eyes, I’m sure.

I don’t remember falling asleep, but I woke up in a comfy bed with blankets covering me. It took me a few minutes to realize where I was and what happened last night.

I grabbed my phone and realized it was dead.

I crawled out of bed and padded across the hall to the bathroom. My eyes were puffy and red and I looked terrible.

I splashed some water on my face and brushed my teeth and decided to try and find Declan.

As I walked down the stairs, the smell of bacon filled the air. I followed the scent to find Declan in the kitchen cooking wearing a simple white t-shirt and a pair of grey joggers.

Seeing him in causal clothes made me find him even more handsome. I really was a hormonal teenager.

“Good Morning.” He said without turning around.

“Good Morning. Do you know what time it is?”

“Almost 10.”

“Oh No! I have to be at work by 10:30 today.” I said as I jumped to my feet.

“You will not be working today.”

He sat a plate down in front of me and nodded for me to sit.

“I have already handled the situation. You will be taking the day off.”

I was trying to remain calm as I did the math in my head as to how much that would impact my check.

“Harper.”

“Yes?”

He started laughing and it was the most amazing sound.

“I said don’t worry about the money. I will make sure your check is normal.”

“How did you know?”

“It was all over your face. Now eat and then we will be going to get the rest of your stuff.”

“What?”

“You can’t stay in that house without heat or electricity and you told me you had nowhere else to go. This house is plenty big enough. As I said, you will eat and then we will go get the rest of your stuff.”

He took a sip of his coffee and watched me as I ate.

“I am going to take a quick shower and then we can go.” He stood and walked out of the room.

I finished eating and ran upstairs to put on a pair of jeans and a hoodie. I pulled my hair into a ponytail and rushed downstairs to find Declan leaning against the door waiting for me.

The drive was silent but again comfortable. At least until we pulled into my driveway.

As I walked up to my front door, I noticed a yellow paper attached to the door. I pulled it off and realized it was an eviction notice.

Declan took the paper from me and read it. “Well, you tell me if there is anything you want to move to my place, we can have it moved.”

I could only nod. Declan followed me upstairs and we began packing my stuff. It didn’t take long and since I didn’t have a lot of stuff. I grabbed the box of photos from my mom’s room and my Dad’s jacket.

“This is all of your stuff?” Declan asked, looking around.

“Yeah.”

He sighed and we walked out of the house together. I decided on the way back to Declan’s house to call my Mom again. This time the phone didn’t ring and it was then I realized she had blocked my number.

Closing my eyes, I could feel the pain rip through my body. What had I done for my Mom to treat me this way?

Declan reached over and took my hand in his and began rubbing his thumb over the top of my hand. Instantly calming me.

We remained silent the rest of the ride and it continued as we unpacked his car. He helped me carry everything to my room.

“Let me know if you want to change anything. I will make it happen. Are you hungry?”

“Thank you for everything and umm no, I’m not hungry.”

He smiled and turned to leave. “Declan?’

He turned and leaned against the door.

“Why are you helping me?”

He walked over and sat next to me on the bed. “I couldn’t, not help you.”

“Oh um how old are you?” I know it seemed weird but I just needed to know.

“27.”

I smiled and nodded. As I expected, he looked at me like a child. I was almost 10 years younger than him.

He turned and walked out of the room and continued to unpack my stuff. I came to the realization that I didn’t have anywhere else to go and, at least for now, I would stay there.

I could save my paychecks. I turn 18 in 2 months I graduate in 6 months. This was temporary and I just needed to stay focused.

Around 5, I sat my book down and realized I had completely skipped lunch and I was hungry. I walked into the kitchen to find Declan cooking. I had expected him to go into the restaurant. I know I had heard him leave at some point.

“Dinner will be ready in just a few minutes.”

“Can I help with anything?”

“You can stir the sauce for me.”

I walked over to him and began stirring the sauce. Next thing I knew, I felt his breath on the back of my neck. He placed his hand on my hip and opened the cupboard above the stove and pulled down a strainer for the pasta. He stepped away and the warmth of his hand was instantly gone.

What was wrong with me? I had always found Declan attractive but I never had these kinds of thoughts until last night.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped away from the stove as he prepared two plates and took them to the table.

“Do you do all the cooking yourself?”

“When I can. I have a chef come in usually during the week.”

“It’s really good.”

“I hope it is. I own a few restaurants.”

“A few.”

He smiled at me and nodded.

We continued to chat through dinner and I found that not only did he own 6 restaurants, and two years ago he took over his family's hotel chain. I didn’t understand how he had time for anything other than work.

“So, since this is the first Saturday night off since you started working for me, I would say we should do something fun.”

“Honestly, I would rather just watch a movie and relax. I know that sounds silly for a teenager but.”

His smile got larger. “Popcorn?”

“Please.”

“Oh your house key is on the key ring by the door.” I walked over and ran my hand over the key chain.

“When I went out earlier today to have the copy made.”

“Thank you.”