009 - HERE ME OUT, RORY

009

HEAR ME OUT RORY

NOVA

What? He thinks Jayden cleaned? I can't help the chuckle that breaks out of me. With the amount of mess I met here yesterday, the clothes strewn everywhere, it's funny how he thinks Jayden cleaned. I even find the very idea entirely absurd.

"I did." I tell him, turning around so I'm facing him.

He stares at me, then nods. He's so calm and reserved, sitting patiently as if he has all the time in the world. It's so obvious he's a real gentleman, from the way he sits to the soft expression in his eyes. I'm not even sure he'll tell me if I'm wasting his time by dragging him down here. He'll probably just smile and bear it.

That would not be good at all.

"I'll be quick." I tell him, grabbing my towel and a dress from my bag. I leave Mason to himself and hurry through my shower.

Stepping into the small bathroom, I turn the faucet on, letting the warm water wash my skin. But while I'm getting all cleaned up, rinsing the soap from my skin, my eyes fall on Jayden's shower gel and shaving cream. They are upturned on his side of the bathroom counter, still glistening with fresh water droplets.

So he did have the time to get a shower?

I storm out of the bathroom muttering under my breath, wrapping the towel around my body. So much for being so nice to me. It's basically the same damn thing. Drop me off here and I'd have found my way.

Such a dick.

"What's got you so upset?"

I fold my arms across my chest, the dampness of my hair soaking into the towel. "He came back to get a shower." I mutter, not bothering to look at Mason who's probably wondering why there's a scowl on my face. "He came here. He drove here. Don't you get it? And he told me he had stuff to do. Something about being too busy to drop me off."

I finally take a look at Mason, letting my shoulders drop. "I know I am not his responsibility but... I expected more from him."

"Jayden is not your regular guy."

I scoff, the air escaping from my lips blowing a strand of my hair upward. I run a hand through my hair. "I am not saying he's obligated to do that but..."

"But what?"

I shake my head, cutting myself off before I say too much. But aren't we still pretending to date? We talked about it last night. It was all his idea. I wouldn't even be bothered if my skating scholarship wasn't on the line.

I sigh. "It's alright. We all meet our different share of guys every day. I don't know what I was thinking. That he'd be more like..."

"Brian?"

I frown. "No. More like you." I gesture to Mason.

Mason smiles. He looks down at his shoes, the back up at me. "I'll leave you to get dressed."

I glance down at my now wet and clingy dress, realizing I'm still clutching it against myself while wrapped in a towel. "Oh." I mutter, a flush of embarrassment warming my cheeks, but he's already outside of the room, shutting the door softly behind him.

My brain makes it a point to note the difference between Mason and Jayden. One sees a girl half naked and politely excuses himself to give her privacy. The other screams his gut out and makes a scene.

I hurriedly pick out yoga pants and a large sweatshirt from my bag, pulling them on quickly. There's no time to blow dry my hair so I let it down wild and wet, droplets soaking into the collar of the gray cotton fabric. It's annoying, but it'll do. The wind outside is intense today. I'm sure it'll dry off on its own while I'm in the car with the vents on.

I step outside the room, checking my pockets, and lock the door, throwing the keys into my bag.

The hostel is a bit too large now that I take a good look at it. There's a fleet of stairs just beside my room. One that leads you downstairs or to the upper floors if that's your destination.

I take the stairs, my sneakers squeaking against the concrete, and I'm downstairs in no time. Stepping out into the air, I scan the driveway. Mason's car isn't parked where it was when we came. It's down the large street instead, pulled up against the curb, and I can see him leaning on it, with his hair falling across his face as he looks at his phone.

A smile takes over my face as I make my way to him.

But it doesn't last long.

I feel a hand on my shoulder, that makes me turn abruptly. Maybe it's not the hand, that triggers the panic I feel. But the smell. Because I know I have only caught a whiff of that smell on one person.

Brian.

My face crumples into a frown when our eyes lock.

"Rory." He calls softly.

I step back. "What do you think you're doing?"

He inhales deeply, his eyes scanning my face and closes the distance I've created between us, stepping right back into my personal space.

"Please. Just hear me out." He tries to reach for my arm but I flinch.

"Don't touch me."

"I need you to just listen."

I scoff. "Brian, I need you to just... get out of my face."

"No. I owe you an explanation. You deserve that, okay? Look, I just want to talk."

"You just want to talk? You cheated on me, Brian!" My voice goes higher. "What explanation do I need? I saw you... You were..." I shut my eyes.

"Babe... I'm sorry." He finally succeeds in taking my wrists in his hand before I can pull away again. I try to pry myself free, twisting my arms, but his grip is firm and solid.

"Let go of me, Brian."

"Babe, listen to me. I just need to talk to you. I'll text you a place and a time, okay? Just talk."

He pulls me to himself and wraps his arms around me tightly. Right there, in his familiar arms, breathing in the scent that always calmed me, I break down.

My body starts shaking as I cry into his shoulders, my tears soaking into his jacket. I don't have the strength to fight this guy anymore. He's way stronger than I am, physically and emotionally. Besides, I know he always gets what he wants, weaving words until up is down and down is up.

I swallow hard, trying to catch my breath as he pulls away, his thumbs tenderly cradling my face, wiping the tears away from my cheeks.

"I'm sorry, babe. I'm so sorry... I didn't mean to hurt you." He keeps saying, and all I do is nod.

I can already feel a headache building behind my eyes.

"Promise me you'll come. I just want to talk."

"I promise." I mutter. "Just leave me alone." I add, pulling back completely this time.

He smiles, and turns away, jogging off toward the opposite part of the street. I watch him go with a blank expression on my face.

"Aurora! You okay?"

I glance over my shoulders at Mason. He's walking toward me now, having witnessed the tail end of the interaction from down the block. He's got a worried expression on his face. I turn and nod, wrapping my arms around my torso, hugging myself tightly.

"It was just some random person asking for directions." I lie as I get closer to him. "They got the wrong person," I chuckle nervously, hoping he doesn't notice the redness in my eyes.

He smiles, and holds the car door open for me. I get in, muttering a thank you to him as I slide onto the passenger seat.

Inside the car, my hands are twisted on my laps.

Brian looked genuinely sorry. And hurt, even. Could it be... Could it be... He's learned his lesson? Maybe he's really ready to give us a chance again? Is that even possible after what he did?

Well, I wouldn't know unless I hear him out, right?