The Stranger

The stranger who must’ve owned the house smiled mockingly as he took in Williams' terrified look, snow falling even faster and heavier around us, and the three of us in the car blinked blankly.

“I know you all know the house is big enough for a few guests and seeing as your car is still on my road, turned off may I add, and that the snow has taken a liking to fucking us all, you might as well spend the night,”

Each word he spoke was like a deep growl and I tried to push back this feeling of warmth that tried to settle in my bones when he spoke; maybe it was just all the second hand smoking of pot I had done tonight.

“I- I, um,” William stuttered, his hand going up to scratch his cheek.

The stranger's lips tugged slightly as he watched William squirm underneath his gaze, power and authority pooled around him and as his eyes now seemed like a lighter grey, snow landing delicately in his dark black lockets of hair. He seemed broad as he leaned down into the car window, arms holding the door shut even though William was frozen with fear, and I couldn’t help but just be in awe of his beauty.

“We actually need to go,” Austyn found her voice strongly and crossed her arms as all of our eyes shot towards the firecracker of a girl. “We have shit we need to do,”

Leave it to Austyn to have an attitude during a time like this.

“How do you intend to leave when your car is dead?”

“How do you know it’s dead?” She snapped back, and I couldn’t help but raise my eyebrows at her braveness.

“Well to start off,” The stranger snapped back, heat flaring into those stormy eyes. “You all are sitting in the freezing cold, car off, and I don’t think enduring the cold is anyone's first choice - especially dressed in scraps,”

I tried not to cringe. Of course he’d notice Austyn. Who wouldn’t?

Looking away from the scene in front of me, I turned my head and looked out my window; a second truck was behind the black one and I couldn’t help but wonder why he thought he’d need two trucks.

“Fuck you,” Austyn spat.

The stranger growled, grabbing my attention. A moment passed and I could tell he tried to calm himself before looking at me, my heart catching once again, and like a deer in the headlights, I stared back.

“Listen,” He sighed, studying my face. “I am just trying to be… Nice. It’s cold, there's clearly something wrong with your car, and judging by these flakes, the snow isn’t going to clear soon which means you shouldn’t be driving in this shit. All I am offering is a warm place to stay for the night,”

Swallowing, I nodded and bit my lip. His eyes following the action and tearing his eyes back to the front, he raised his brow.

Silence fell between us.

“Fine.” Austyn growled, huffing. “We can stay on one condition,”

“Babe-” William started but she held her hand up to stop him; William shook his head and gave her a firm look.

“We all stay together.”

“Agreed.” The stranger smirked.

*

After we all jumbled into the strangers' backseat, our shoulders touching and knees knocking, the stranger had driven us back to the party house carefully; the truck behind us followed the same and as we arrived, gone were the lights, the party goers, and it looked pristine… No one would’ve guessed a party happened less than thirty minutes ago.

He led us into the house as the group of guys that were in the second truck followed us silently. Showing us the living room, bathroom, kitchen, and leading us down one of the hallways I recognized as one I had walked earlier tonight, the stranger stopped in front of a dark wooden door.

“This is one of our guest rooms,” One of the guest rooms? How many were there? “There’s only one bed but since you all want to be together, I had a pullout couch moved in,”

I didn’t even see him ask anyone…

William was the first to walk into the room, cream walls and a glittery chandelier met my gaze. A full size bed was against one wall, the frame made up of beautiful and intricate wood carvings that had a matching set of nighttables and two small vintage looking lamps finished the look. Cinnamon and vanilla entered my nose.

“Damn,” William mumbled as Austyn pushed past him, examining the room and pulling me past her. I tried my best not to lose my balance and looking up, I saw the stranger watch each of my movements.

“You better not murder us or I’ll haunt your tall ass from my seat in Hell,”

The stranger rolled his eyes and I almost missed his gaze. “Trust me,” He started. “If I wanted you dead, I would’ve left you to freeze your ass off,”

Austyn tutted and the strangers eyes landed on me again. “If you need anything, don’t hesitate. There’s always someone up in the house that can grab me if you need anything,”

I smiled softly as I felt pink paint my cheeks, my heart doing a little jump, and I nodded. “Thank you,” The words were soft yet he heard them.

He nodded towards me. “Well, I hope you guys have a goodnight,”

Austyn stepped in front of me and stuck her chin out. “Thanks.”

After the stranger left, Austyn turned around and immediately her strong facade dropped and she let out a nervous chuckle. “Well this is fucking insane,”

I chuckled too, the both of us starting to laugh, and William looked in between us like we were crazy. “Guys this is stupid! My mom is gonna be pissed and what if he calls the cops and-”

Austyn pulled me into a side hug. “Will, we are gonna be fine. We’re only here for a night then we’ll leave. Easy peasy.”