Code Name Shadow

Chapter 10

Brielle

I'm embarrassed. So, incredibly embarrassed. I've known this guy for what, two weeks? And here I am, shaking in his arms while sitting on his couch.

But the thing is, as mortified as I am, I can't find it in me to stop. As much as I hate to admit it, his presence alone seems to be helping. After all the shit I've been through these past few years, he's one of the few people I feel like I can trust. He's one of the few people I feel safe around.

We've been sitting on the couch for about a half hour now. Neither of us have said anything; we'll have to talk about what happened eventually, but I'm thankful he hasn't pushed me to talk about it yet.

Taking one last deep breath, I push myself up and turn to face him. He moves his arm to let me, and I find myself already missing the contact.

Looking down at my lap, I'm the first to break the silence. "Sorry about that." I say, running a hand through my long hair. "I appreciate you helping me, I don't know why I got so panicked. I mean, he probably didn't even want to hurt me." I chuckle nervously.

Putting his hand on the side of my neck, he uses his thumb to gently lift my chin so my eyes would meet his.

"Don't you dare apologize for anything that happened tonight." he says. For the first time since I've met him, he has a serious, almost angry, look on his face. "You did the right thing asking for help, and I'm proud of you for it."

I scoff at that. "I don't know what you could possibly be proud of. Nothing even happened and yet here I was freaking out in front of someone I barely know."

"Don't do that." he says sternly.

"Don't do what?"

"Act like what you felt doesn't matter. You've been through some serious shit, Brielle, and although I don't know the details, I've been through enough myself to know that trauma doesn't just go away. And let's not forget that you were being followed home tonight. Whatever the guy's intentions were, it's concerning to say the least."

I break eye contact with him and start picking at my nails. I know he's right, but I have no idea what to say to that. Seconds later his hand is on top of mine, stopping my movements.

"Don't shut me out, Brielle. You can talk to me."

"I know, it's not that. It's just...I don't think I can talk about what happened tonight yet. I think I still have to...process it." I say softly.

"That's okay." he says just as softly. "Just know that I'm here for you, whatever you need."

I look back up at him and give him a small smile that doesn't quite reach my eyes. He returns it. Suddenly all of the stress from tonight catches up to me and I feel completely exhausted. I'm grateful to Cody for bringing me here, but now all I want is my bed.

"Do you think you could maybe drive me home?" I ask.

"Yeah, of course." he says as he stands. He walks into the kitchen to grab his keys, but that's when I remember that my car is here. Shit, I'll have to come back for it. Before I can even voice the concern Cody seems to have already thought of it.

"So listen, I was thinking. I know you'll need your car, so how would you feel about me driving you home in your car?"

I pause, confused. "How would you get home then?"

"Well, that's the thing. I know you said you're feeling a little better now, but you went through a lot tonight. How would you feel about me staying at your place tonight? I would offer for you to stay here, but I'm sure you'd be more comfortable in a more familiar environment. I'll gladly sleep on the couch or the floor, wherever you want me to be. It'd make me feel better, and to be honest I'm sure your brother would quite literally kill me if I didn't keep an eye on you after that." he laughs. "It's completely up to you though."