Number Eleven

Chapter 14.

Ava POV 

I've decided that waking up beside Oakley is the most comforting and secure feeling any girl can experience.

Well, by any girl, I mean me.

Since I can't get a clear view of my alarm clock, due to the big slab of muscle I've come to know as Oakley, the only sign of the early morning happens to be the irritating sun rays that are forcibly shining their way through the sheer curtains hanging across my bedroom window.

I'm not usually a morning girl, but apparently my brain just didn't get the memo today. Or maybe it's just not used to a total hunk of a man taking up the majority of my bed. 

Yeah, it's probably that. 

Speaking of huge slab of muscle, he lets out a slight grumble and tightens his python-like grip around my waist, making it near impossible for me to move away even if I desperately needed to. Which thankfully, I don't. 

Although I do enjoy breathing, and that also seems to be a task with how he is to me. 

I carefully turn my body around so I'm facing him instead of the boring wall, and use his sleeping state to finally be able to look at him without the s**t-eating grin that always covers his lips when he notices me staring at him.

The first thing that catches my eye is the generous amount of light brown stubble that's started to cover his lower jaw. From there, I let my eyes selfishly take in every mark and blemish to be seen, from the inch-long scar above his right eyebrow to the small beauty mark placed on the smooth skin beside his left earlobe. I'm also eighty-five percent sure his eyelashes could pass as fake. Why do guys always have the longest eyelashes? It's not fair, to be honest.

"You know I can feel you staring at me, right?" 

The heat crawling up my neck is immediate, and I'm not sure if it's from being caught staring at him like a creep or from the deep, sexy sound of his sleepy voice.

I shove his shoulder and scoff.

"Cocky much? For your information, I was staring at you because you have drool hanging from your mouth." That's a total lie; I'm pretty sure it's me that was drooling.

He chuckles, and I let out a high pitched noise as he uses the tree trunks he calls arms to flip us over, him towering over me with his arms resting on either side of my head.

"You're so beautiful, Ava." 

He uses his hand to hold one side of my face while his thumb rubs my cheek in slow, soothing motions. His forest green eyes shine down at me with enough emotion to send my heart into overdrive.

His sweet words are going to be the death of me one day.

He leans down and I meet him halfway, letting our lips meet in a gentle yet swoon-worthy kiss.

Before the simple kiss can turn into anything more, I slowly pull back, flopping my head back against my pillow. As much as I would love to make out with Oakley for hours on end, I'm fully aware of my nasty morning breath and our lack of decent clothing.

He looks down at me with a pout, and I can't help but giggle at how adorable he looks.

"Morning breath," I inform him as he rolls his eyes and leans down to kiss me again, only to be met with my cheek as I quickly turn my face to the side. Groaning, he flips on his back and turns his head to look at me.

"I don't care about morning breath, Ava. Don't be ridiculous; I just want to kiss you."

"And I promise you can kiss me as soon as I brush my teeth. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to shower." I kick the blankets off and sling my legs over the side of my bed, but unfortunately for me, I don't make it far before arms circle around my waist and yank me backward, making me lay flat on my back.

"Can I at least have one before you go? Or better yet, I can just come with you. Two birds with one stone. ya know?" I look up at the smirk spreading across his lips and don't miss the wink he shoots me as I roll my eyes and quickly peck his lips.

"There. Happy? Now I am going to shower, alone." The proud smile he's sporting drops and is replaced with a frown before he huffs and throws his hands up in surrender. I send him a grin and with a hop in my step, make my way to my bathroom.

Looking at my reflection in the bathroom mirror, I notice how red and swollen my eyes are. The events of yesterday replay in my mind as I remember why Oakley is here in the first place. I'm dreading explaining all this to him. What I told him last night was the cliff notes version, and I know he probably has a s**t ton of questions waiting for me once I get back out there.

I strip out of my clothes, and once the water is hot enough, hop in the shower.

After I'm done scrubbing yesterday away, I stand in the stream of scalding water and try to come up with a plan. I never thought she would come back, and it just makes me wonder why. Does she need money? Somewhere to stay? Is she dying? It must be something of the sort. It's been twenty years without as much as a birthday card in the mail.

When my mom called yesterday, I could hear the worry in her voice. I tried to assure her that no matter what, she will always be my mom, but I can't blame her for worrying.

Lily was the one who was there to hear me gush about my first crush, the one who stayed up late helping me with my homework. It was her that taught me how to drive, how to look at life a different way than I was used to. She took in the rebellious fifteen-year-old who thought she was nothing more than a meal ticket, and showed her that she was so much more than that.

I owe who I am today to her.

Thanksgiving is in two weeks, and I'm planning on going home. I guess I can wait to deal with it until then considering Rebecca can't contact me directly. Hopefully.  

When I finally drag myself out of the shower, I come to the sudden realization I didn't bring any freaking clothes with me.

Perfect. Great. Awesome. Splendid.

I take a deep breath and prepare myself to leave the bathroom in just my hot pink towel. 

I manage to make it to my dresser unseen due to Oakley being occupied with something on his phone before I hear him speak up.

"About time, what did you have a nap in there or some-" he abruptly stops and I freeze in place.

The laugh that escapes my throat is coated in nervousness as I smack on a fake smile and slowly turn around.

"If you wanted me to come onto you, all you had to do was ask, sweetheart." 

And just like that, my fake smile is replaced by a very, very real look of pure annoyance.

"Keep dreaming, hotshot," I shoot before pulling my clothes tighter and going back into the bathroom to get dressed.

                                                                                        ~~~

"We need to talk about yesterday, Ava." I hear Oakley say once we sit down on the couch half an hour later.

"Do we? There's not much else to talk about." Of course, there is, but I don't overly want to talk about it.

"I just want to help." He grabs my hand from his spot on the couch. I let out a huff and look over at him, nodding my head.

"What do you want to know?" I ask quietly, deciding to give him the floor. He looks at me with worried eyes, as if he's trying to avoid asking something that will upset me.

"Don't overthink. Just ask me what you want to know. I'll try my best not to get upset." The worry is quickly washed out with relief as the words come out of my mouth.

"Okay. So you were adopted and have never met your birth parents. Right?" I nod my head before he continues, "And now your birth mom is trying to contact you?" 

Again, I nod my head.

"Why did she give you up?" His brows furrow and his mouth is set in a tight line.

Although I was expecting him to ask, I can't help but feel the sadness sink its claws in me.

"She was a junkie. Or at least that's what the social workers told me. My birth father ran off when he found out she was pregnant so she didn't think she had another choice."

"What bullshit! There's always another way," he hisses before I squeeze his hand, trying to pull his attention back to me.

"Not in her head," I shrug, darting my eyes around the dim living room before resting them on a family picture leaning on the T.V stand. 

It was my first Christmas since being formally adopted, and mom declared it a day to be remembered. Pushing us all into the living room, right in front of the fireplace and propping her camera up on the coffee table before setting a timer and running over to stand in her spot beside dad. I remember looking around at my newfound family and feeling for the first time in my life, completely and utterly happy.

"What was it like? In foster care."

I blink back the tears that were beginning to cloud my vision and let out a slight cough, trying to clear my throat. 

"It had its good moments. But it isn't something I would wish upon anyone. I spent most of my childhood in all-girl group homes. I only stayed with a few different foster families."

"Did you ever.. Were you ever in an..abusive household?" The memories come flooding in and I slightly flinch back.

"Forget I asked, that was super stupid of me to ask. It's none of my business.." he continues rambling until I cut him off.

"It's okay. Really. It's common knowledge that there are some not so great foster parents in the system. I just don't want you to think of me any differently." 

It wasn't that I didn't want him to know, it's just that everybody always starts thinking of you as some charity case once they realize you've been abused. Treating you like you're a piece of expensive China. I don't want that. Especially not from Oakley.

"Look at me." He gently grasps my chin, turning my head so I'm facing him. "Nothing will change how I think of you."

My stomach flips, and I slowly nod my head, not taking my eyes off his comforting ones. "Yeah. I was with a few- I wasn't kept there for long though. Once they had their fun, they were shipping me back off to my social worker for a new shiny toy." 

I shrug and watch as his once calm and comforting green eyes turn dark with anger. His jaw is clenching, and the grip on my cheeks drops as I sit in silence, waiting for him to say something.

Seconds feel like hours as I wait for him to tell me what's running through that gorgeous head of his. Is he regretting his decision to know? Does he want to leave and never come back? Should I have lied? My thoughts are interrupted when he speaks up in a quiet growl.

"That will never happen to you again. I promise."

I can't seem to move once we lock eyes again. The determination written on his face surprises me. He doesn't want to head for the hills? Or is he just being nice? He seems to read my expression insanely well as he shut down all my negative thoughts in two sentences.

"I'm not going anywhere anytime soon. You're stuck with me, sweetheart." He winks and pulls me into his side, kissing the top of my head like he did last night.

"Can I ask you something else? It's a little off-topic, but it's been bothering me for a while now." 

I nod my head, too consumed with the feeling of being wrapped up in his arms to form any coherent sentences.

"What happened with David?"

I go rigid. Four words and my entire body shuts down. Gone is the feeling of comfort and happiness as it's cruelly replaced with nothing but fear and rage. Too afraid of what will show if I pull away from him, I stay put. Tightening my arms around his waist, I try to find any sort of comfort left behind from before.

"Ava?" he prods, rubbing his hands up and down my frozen back.

"We dated for three years," I mumble, hoping that will be enough to satisfy him for the time being.

"Why did you break up? I just want to help." The kindness in his voice shoots straight to the walls surrounding my heart, and I want nothing more but to let him break through them, but I can't.

"Mutual decision. We just knew it was time to go our separate ways," I choke out the lie, having it burn the entire way up.

"Okay." 

The tone of his voice hints that he doesn't believe me, I mean, I wasn't very convincing, but it's what I have to do. Maybe I'll tell him someday. It's just not the right time.

"Enough of the serious talk, let's go do something," I blurt out, pulling myself away from Oakley so that I can look at him again.

"Are you asking me on a date, Octavia?" he teases, raising his eyebrows.

"Yes, yes, I am. Shall we go?" I stand, offering him my hands to pull him up.

He grabs on and I yank him up, with a little help, of course. He's huge!

"We shall." He winks and laces our fingers together as soon as I wrap my fall jacket around my body, and we head to the door hand in hand.