Chapter 6: Jonathan’s Call
We lay there on the bed, tangled up and catching our breath. My face was pressed against Aeri's chest, nestled right between her boobs, her skin warm and soft against my cheek.
Our breathing synced up, slow and heavy, like the world had hit pause for a minute. Her fingers slid through my hair, brushing it back gently, almost like she was patting a kid, soothing me without even trying.
"You were holding a lot in, huh, Ezra?" she asked, her voice quiet but steady, breaking the silence. Her hand kept moving, smoothing my messy hair as she waited for me to say something.
I lifted my head slow, my hair falling over my eyes, blocking her from view for a second. I didn't answer right away, just let the question hang there, heavy in the air.
"Ezra...?" she said again, a little more curious this time, her head tilting as she tried to catch my gaze.
I swallowed, feeling a knot in my chest.
"Aeri... do you hate me now?" My voice came out small, shaky, like I was scared of what she'd say. I couldn't look at her straight on, my eyes dropping to the crumpled sheets instead.
She let out a soft sigh, but there was a smile in it—like she couldn't believe I'd even ask. "I could never hate you for anything, Ezra," she said, her hands sliding up to cup my face. Her thumbs brushed my cheeks, warm and gentle, pulling my eyes back to hers. She looked at me like she meant it, her face soft and open.
I nodded, a little smile tugging at my lips, relief washing over me. Before I could say anything else, my phone buzzed on the nightstand, a sharp vibration cutting through the quiet.