Bangs and Boots

CHAPTER 2

"Only if she is okay with it. Are yo-" James turned towards me "she'll be fine with it," Jacob said dismissively. "I don't care what you think I'm asking her," James grumbled. "Are you ok with it princess?" he asked in a kind voice. "Yeah sure," I answered. "If you don't want me to, I can find somewhere else darling," "No, no of course not I'm sure I can make room for a guest," I smiled maybe not being alone will be good and it only for a couple days, hopefully.

After being dismissed by my horrendous boss, I got into my car with the three gang members, who honestly have a higher kill count than anyone. They could kill me for all I know.

James sat in the passenger seat and the other two sat at the back of my truck. It was silent and the sound of quiet country music filled the air. I start talking because the silence was making me uncomfortable, "so, how long will y'all be staying?" I ask, "couple of months sweetheart," the one at the back says.

Oh.

"That's quite a long time, what are you guys staying for?" I ask, "your stupid boss," James answers in an annoyed tone. "You're not wrong about the stupid part," I mumble, he laughs.

"Do you guys like know each other," one of the guys at the back asks, "no, why?" James asks, "your very..." the other trails off, "close" he finishes. "Your always judgy Alex,"

Alex. I must remember that.

"Okay you're the judgy one," Alex jokes back, while they are talking, I park in my designated area for my apartment. We all get out and they take their bags out of the back before heading upstairs to my sad, unpaid, apartment. Once I give them a tour of my place, they settle into their rooms.

I try and figure out where I would be sleeping since James was in my room. "Princess where will you be sleeping," James comes up to me while I decide to set up the couch.

"Oh, I'm just going to be on the couch. Is everything all good? Do you need anything?" I said smiling. "No, you won't," he spoke firmly. "It's ok it doesn't bother me," "not happening you either sleep with me or I sleep on the couch," he said in a dominate tone. "Wha- what no trust me its ok," "it's your house," he spoke again "exactly, that's why I'm sleeping on the couch," "fine, but your very stubborn," "you'll grow to love it," I laughed.

"I already do, princess," my face turned red and my mouth dropped open. "Good night, Sadie," "night James,"

I was lying on the couch reading a book, listening to the rain outside, it was nice. I liked the rain, it was calming. It was around 4am when I put my book down and closed my eyes. I had just fallen asleep when there was a loud crash of thunder outside, the room lit up from the lightning. I jumped and screamed, usually when it storms, I would curl up in bed and hide under the covers, but James was in my room. Of course.

I curled up in my single blanket with my pillow cuddled into my chest, I was shaking like a leaf, tears pooling in my eyes.

Storms scared me but they also made me think of my dad, he was always there when I was younger, especially when it came to storms.

I heard the door to the left of me creak open. James? He walked out. "Are you okay princess, I heard you scream?" oh shit I didn't think it was that loud, I hope I didn't wake the other two. "Don't worry those two could sleep through a hurricane" he laughed as if he could read my mind, "but are you ok?", "Oh yeah I'm all good just a little scared of storms," I smiled.

Another loud crash sounded, "AHHH," I screamed again. James quickly walked over and sat next to me. I was shaking more, and tears slowly started to fall. "Hey, hey don't worry I'm here nothing can hurt you whilst I'm here," he pulled me onto his lap and hugged me. I felt safe, my breathing calmed down and my hands slowly stopped shaking. He ran his fingertips up and down my back, whispering sweet nothings into my ear, "your doing so well, your so brave princess," I laid my head on his chest listening to his heartbeat as I slowly drifted to sleep.