Chasing Danger

8- I'm not a rabbit

"What are you still doing here?"

"I told you I'm not running. Maybe now you'll believe me."

Tyler put the bags on table before walking over to me. "Why stay?"

"It's not like I have anything that pressing to get back to. Besides, you seem pretty desperate to keep me here."

Tyler's gaze stayed fixed on mine. He was confused, that much was obvious. Even I didn't completely understand my decision. It seemed that no matter how many chances I got, I couldn't make myself leave. 

"Aren't you afraid I'll hurt you?"

I couldn't help but snort a little. "No, I'm not. You've had plenty of chances to and you haven't taken them."

"That doesn't mean anything."

"Doesn't it though?"

Tyler crossed his arms, a slight frown on his face. "You aren't afraid of much, are you?"

"Not really." I said. "Except babies. Those terrify me."

I watched as the corner of Tyler's mouth twitched, his eyes sparkling just a bit before he averted his gaze. I realized then that I had never seen a real smile on his face, something I suddenly wanted to see more than anything. 

Instead of responding to me, Tyler started unloading the bags. I walked over to the table and examined his purchases. A package of Hanes underwear, not cute but definitely functional, some t-shirts, socks, and a pair of shorts. As I pulled on the cotton briefs, I noticed another purchase and couldn't help but stare at it in amusement. 

"Tampons? Really?"

"Yeah. You'll need them eventually, won't you?" Tyler asked, his tone indifferent. 

All of a sudden, I burst into laughter. Uncontrollable, loud laughter at the image of a tattooed bad boy buying tampons at the grocery store. The idea of it was so strange and weirdly adorable that I temporarily lost my shit, which only pissed him off. 

"Quit it." He muttered as he threw a bag of lettuce at me. I stopped suddenly as my hands shot out to catch the bag of romaine and I looked at him, confused as to why he gave that to me. 

Then it dawned on me. "Is this all you think I eat?"

"Yes."

"I'm not a rabbit."

"Aren't you though?"

If he wasn't so hot, I would have punched him.

"Actually yes. I'm surprised you didn't just rip up a bunch of grass and give that to me instead."

The corner of his lips twitched. "I considered it."

After putting the bag in the fridge, next to all the beer and leftover pizza, I helped him put away the rest of the groceries. At least he had some pasta and rice to go with my salad. I even checked the freezer and saw some frozen broccoli. So I would survive, at least for a couple of days.

"I'm surprised you didn't work last night." I commented as I sat down at the kitchen table, watching him.

He stood by the fridge and popped open a beer. At twelve in the afternoon. "I called out."

"You work tonight?"

"Haven't decided yet."

"Why not? Haven't I proven myself trustworthy yet?"

"No." He said. "Probably never will."

At least he was honest.

"There's got to be something I can do."  

He took a sip from his beer and kept his gaze locked on mine. "There isn't." 

Crossing my arms in front of my chest, I narrowed my eyes at him while my mind tried to come up with ideas. "Come on. Tell me to do something, anything, and I'll do it." 

His expression darkened, his eyes momentarily showing a bit of lust. His grip on the beer bottle tightened, but he didn't move.

"Why?"

I scoffed at him. "To prove that I can be trusted." Obviously.

"No."

Before it could get any further, a phone call distracted us. Tyler answered it in his bedroom and closed the door behind him. Since I'm a nosy bitch, I pressed my ear against the door to eavesdrop. 

"No, not tonight." He said. "Things got complicated. It's gonna be a while before I can see you again."

Jealousy stabbed at my heart. He definitely wasn't talking to his boss, nor a friend, from what it sounded like. That's how a guy would talk to someone they cared about. Probably a girl. 

"Hang in there, Cam. I'll talk to you later."

Realizing the conversation was over, I sprinted to the couch and sat down. Trying to make it look like I'd kept myself busy, I picked up the nearest magazine and flipped through it. Motorcycles. Of course he liked motorcycles.

When Tyler came back out, his face looked flushed. Not wanting to be one of those girls who assumed things without asking, I turned to him with a nonchalant smile. "Girlfriend?"

"Something like that."

"Thought you weren't seeing anyone." I said, recalling our conversation from before.

Tyler didn't even skip a beat. "I lied."

Do you think Cam is really Tyler's girlfriend?

Thanks again for your support!