Counting Paths

Chapter 16.

He makes a sound that almost sounds like a chuckle. "I'm good. When do you think you'll be coming back."

"I don't..." I look at Roland, then I hand him the phone.

He takes it. "Yeah?" There's a quick pause. "No, she's good. We'll be back in an hour or so." A longer pause... "She's fine!" He snaps. "I'm fine. Stay at the house if you want!"

He hangs up.

"I'm tired," I mumble.

He takes a deep breath. "Are you really?"

"Well, given how you didn't ask me if I was hungry, I figured that wouldn't matter."

"Finish your food then."

I narrow my eyes at him. "Do you trust me?"

"Yes-"

"Then, why are you acting like this?"

"Like what?" He pushes, growing irritated.

"Like I'm the enemy!"

"Lower your voice!" He growls, leaning forward, pressing his lower front against the table between us. "The last few hours have been a fucking emotional roller coaster for me-" he cringes like the words pouring out of his own mouth disgusted him "-I'm a little shut off right now."

"Are-"

"No. Eat."

I roll my eyes, and finish my chicken nuggets.

Roland

Sterling doesn't a word to me. No freaking surprise there, though. She reluctantly finished her food, glaring at me from the corner of her eye and muttering shit about how unfair everything was. I couldn't find the energy to say anything and start arguing with her. She tried falling asleep on the ride back home, but after the first five minutes of driving, she would groan and whisper to herself complaining about feeling too full for reckless driving.

The thickening silence between us only continues as I pull up in front of the house, put the car in park, then kill the engine. Neither of us make an effort to move, let alone get out of the car.

More silence.

"I have to do pick-ups tonight," I finally tell her.

That catches her attention. She abruptly turns her head and looks at me with wild eyes. "I want to g-"

"No."

"But I-"

"You need to rest!" I say firmly. "Go inside, get Kevin, and stay here with Russell, okay? I need you to get some rest, have a good night of sleep." As if he heard his name being said, the front door opens and Russell steps out.

He opens Sterling's door and, with his freakishly towering height, leans down to look at her. "You alright?" He asks.

"No," she hisses, undoing her seatbelt forcefully. She shoves him aside to jump out of the car.

Russell waits for her to storm inside to turn and look at me. "Is she going to stay?"

"If she wants to," I answer.

A muscle in his jaw clenches but his face remains emotionless. "Is she safe?"

My body automatically stiffens and I sit up, grabbing and gripping the steering wheel with white knuckles. "Fuck you," I growl. "I don't know why but for some reason Sterling likes you, and that's the only reason why you're not going to be pistol-whipped."

He nods slowly, lowering his gaze. "Do what's best for her, not what you think is best for you."

Is he serious right now? He has a freaking angel on his shoulder watching over him now and he knows. The cocky son of a bitch. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

He looks me in the eyes again. "She needs space. She needed space tonight, but you took her to make yourself feel better."

"I took her to try to explain myself. She thought I was going to kill her." Why am I explaining myself to him? Who the fuck is he?

"And look at her now."

Kevin walks outside and saves Russell from being punched in the throat. "She's asking for you," he tells Russell.

Without another word, he pushes off the car and walks inside.

"Who the fuck does he think he is?" I growl to Kevin before climbing out of the car. I walk around the hood to the passenger's side, and Kevin walks to the driver's side.

"It's Sterling," he tells me, adjusting the seat. "I've never seen him like this before."

I reach in the back for a bottle but grasp at nothing. Then I remember I...finished it. "Wait," I rush out before he can put the car in drive. "Imma grab a bottle real quick." I slip out of the car before he could say anything or give me any looks.

I walk inside and I'm instantly greeted by the sound of heavy crying. I freeze.

"I'm tired. I'm just so fucking tired," Sterling sobs. My legs carry across the foyer, and I stand underneath the doorway. They're on the couch, so I can only see the back of Russell's head. I consider entering the living room and try comforting her, but...but can I? I mean, as much as I hate to admit it, Russell's right, she's like this because of me-or I'm not making this any easier on her.

But how can I just walk away from her?

How...? Wait-

I hurry to the kitchen.

Sterling and Russell are on the couch, her head resting near his lap on the cushions. He has one hand caressing the side of her head and the other tangled with hers. The sight of them gives me mixed feelings. Clearly, Russell cares about her, he wants to see her happy, but he's still a guy... an older guy, and my protective instinct kicks in and makes me want to yank him away from her.

I force myself to relax as I approach them and crouch down in front of Sterling. She opens her eyes and looks at me with red, pooling eyes. I hand her the water bottle I received from the fridge. "I'll be back soon, okay?" I tell her.

She sniffs. "Okay."

Russell leans away from her enough for me to lean forward and press a kiss to her temple. Then I get up and leave.