• Tomorrow Will Be Different • {J.C} (P.1)

•Chapter Thirty-Two•

Erin hated it.
...but she also loved it.

Julian was honest, selfless—he was analytically observant. He thought things thoroughly through before making decisions—paying close attention to all details.

Erin hated it.
...but she also loved it.

The sound of keys on the other side of the apartment door sent Erin into a frenzy. She quickly poised herself on the sofa, readjusting her clothes to hide any exposed marks.

Julian entered the apartment, lifting two duffel bags from the stoop. He hadn't noticed Erin on the couch—nor the wide eyed gape she was giving her possessions in his grasp.

Erin's gaze shifted between Julian and her things; he dropped the items to the floor and closed the door.

She watched as he fiddled with a set of keys, removing one of them from the ring and slipping it into his pocket.

She continued to observe in confusion—wondering what Jules was doing with her keys.

"What did you do?" Erin asked softly in disbelief.

Julian's kind soft eyes quickly darted to Erin on the sofa—he didn't realize she had been sitting there.

Jules cleared his throat, "I got your stuff back." He said, not enjoying that particular look of horror etched on her face. "I also picked up your car—here's your keys."

Erin looked to Julian completely dumbfounded as he handed her the set of keys—without eye contact. His knuckles weren't bruised or busted, his face was free of any signs of a scuffle.

"How did you get my stuff back?"

"I just went over there and got it." Julian shrugged; he picked up her bags and started out of the room.

Erin stood from the couch, quick on her feet to follow him. He led her into his bedroom, dropping her bags by the door. Her brows furrowed curiously, wondering why he hadn't put her things in Albert's room.

"How did you know where he lived?" Asked Erin.

"Why does it matter?" Julian tried mimicking her expression; it was laced with incredulous vexation. He didn't appreciate her skepticism, and didn't like that he was jumping to his own defense.

As Nick had so eloquently put it, Julian was 'fucking insane.' He was beginning to see that now through Erin's beautiful wide eyed stare.

"I called Al." Julian admitted. "I didn't want you thinking about goin back over there-"

"I wasn't gonna go back there, I already told you I wasn't getting my stuff back-"

"So I got your stuff back- I got it back so you wouldn't be tempted to go back over there to get it." Julian confessed.

"I never would've been tempted—trust me."

"You say that now, but I know eventually you would've been brave enough to try—thinking he's at work, or outta town. I could just see you goin over there and..." Julian trailed, pressing his lips together to spare Erin the grizzly scene intrusively invading his thoughts.
"I'm sorry—I did it for my own sanity... that was selfish."

Without hesitation, Erin wrapped her arms around him. She pulled herself into his torso, burying her face into his chest.

"So, um... are you hugging me right now, or are you trying to kill me?—It's really hard to tell... kinda feels like you're tryin to crush me."

"I'm so sorry." Erin laughed softly through the constriction of her throat, releasing the tightness of her grip. "Thank you."

Julian smiled, pushing her hair away from her face as he looked into her eyes. A strange heaviness washed over him as he studied her features.
"You're more than welcome."

He thought about kissing her, but didn't want Erin to believe that it was something he was entitled to for doing what he did.

"What did he say?" Erin asked, wiping away a stray tear rolling down her cheek.

"Nothing, really." Julian tensed. It wasn't a lie, Michael hadn't said anything—Michael wasn't there.

Julian had thought about breaking down the door when no one answered. Just when everyone had convinced Jules to give up, he remembered that he had Erin's keys—he got in on the first try.

Erin's bags were already by the door, her things already packed as if she were trying to leave. The apartment was in shambles—complete and utter disarray.

There were holes in the walls, couch cushions in the floor, and open liquor bottles setting out all around.

The guy had obviously been on a bender; whether or not it had begun before or after Erin had managed to get out, Julian wasn't sure.

He checked the bedroom, expecting Michael to be passed out—but he wasn't there.

Jules considered ransacking the place, but it was clear that Michael had already done that. Julian instead dispersed of all the alcohol in the apartment... into Michael's bed.

It was a petty thing to do, sure; but it was the only thing he could think of in the moment, aside from pissing in the guy's bed—which Nikolai and Nick refused to let him do.

"So he just... gave you my stuff?" Erin looked to Julian with sweet, innocent eyes. He didn't want that look to change, so he shrugged with a nod.
"I'm gonna go change and then head to the laundry mat—do you need anything?"

Julian shook his head. "Wait—why are you goin there?"

"I have to, um... Al's bed?" Erin blushed, backtracking out of the bedroom.

Julian laughed, shifting his eyes to the floor bashfully, matching Erin's timid wince.
"Right... yeah." He rubbed his face, pinching the bridge of his nose with tightly closed eyes. "I can go to the mat—I'll get em washed." Julian insisted.

"I wanted to drive my car, but you're more than welcome to come with me."

Julian nodded with smiling eyes, more than happy to accompany her. He was mostly glad that she had invited him—he wanted nothing more than Erin's time.

Erin started to kiss Julian's cheek. He quickly moved his head toward her lips, catching the side of her lips.

She smiled sheepishly, ripping her gaze away from his beautifully laden eyes.

        She wanted to kiss him—she wanted him to kiss her; but the fear of where a kiss might lead stopped Erin from giving in.

If Erin found herself beneath Julian again, she could no longer deny it—she would end up in love with him.