Page 72 of Take Me to Church
"I jumped the fence." She lifts one leg, kicking it out to the side in demonstration. "And it’s way easier to do when you're not wearing a dress that goes down to your ankles."
Myra’s obviously not worried about her husband or father coming to find her, but those aren’t the only men I’m currently concerned might show up on my doorstep. I still haven’t heard a peep from Rodney’s friends since one of them tried to knock down Piper and Lydia’s door. And it’s starting to worry me. They aren’t patient men. It’s been too quiet for too long. Something is coming soon.
"You need to be careful." It's a blanket statement. One that doesn't give away too much information, but hopefully it’s enough to make her a little more cautious. Myra still doesn't know the lengths Lydia was willing to go to for her, and I'm not going to be the one to offer that information up. At least not yet.
Myra stands a little taller, much more blatant in her defiance than Lydia is. "I'm done living the life someone else wants me to live, and that means I'm done letting them control me in any way. She pulls an item from the hidden pocket in her borrowed leggings. "And if anybody tries to grab me, they will regret it."
I don't need to ask where she got the taser, I already know.
But that is another conversation I'm leaving until tomorrow. I’m exhausted. Lydia is exhausted.
And I want her all to myself after having to share her attention all day.
"We're going to bed." I gesture at the kitchen lights. "Can you take care of these when you come up?"
"Sure." Myra reaches out to stop me before I get very far. "Thank you for letting me stay here. I really do appreciate it."
I didn’t know Myra as well as I knew Lydia. Looking back, maybe it's because she's always been as independent as she seems to be now. But I still know what she's been through, and regardless of how it seems to have affected her or not, I recognize the difficulties she’s faced. "You can stay here as long as you like."
Myra glances at Lydia before refocusing on me. "Okay." There's an offness in her tone, but it’s one more thing I'm not fucking dealing with right now. I’m maxed out, so I just nod before directing Lydia toward the stairs.
Her eyes jump to mine in surprise when we start up them. "Where are we going?"
"Jill and the rest of her group were nice enough to handle a furniture delivery today." We reach the top of the stairs and I point at the room at the end of the hall. "Now there's another bedroom set up next to Piper’s. It's got a brand-new bed, an attached bathroom, and a television. They helped Myra get all settled in, so the master bedroom is now ours."
Lydia's brows lift. "Ours?"
"Are you going to pretend you forgot what I said?" I pull her into my bedroom,ourbedroom, shutting the door and locking us in. "Because I’m positive you know exactly what I mean."
I'm not a kid anymore. Haven't been for a long time. I grew up fast, but it took me longer than most to really grasp what I wanted from my life. Maybe because for so many years I expected I would have to settle for what I got instead of chasing after what I wanted. But then the lives of the men around me started to change and I began to hope I could have more.
I could have this.
Someone who understands me. Knows my past. What's turned me into the man I am. I struggled to believe I'd be able to find a woman who wouldn't judge me for the things I've done, but I have. Lydia’s seen the best and the worst I have to offer, and she embraces all of it.
The only problem is I don't know if Lydia is in the same place I am. If she wants the same things. Myra clearly wants to spread her wings and fly. Maybe Lydia does too.
I meet her gaze, my stomach turning at the possibility. "If this isn't what you want, you need to speak up now."
Lydia licks her lips before rubbing them together. "And what exactly doesthismean?"
"You and me. Together." I lace my fingers with hers, lifting them to my lips. "I want you living here with me. I want you in my bed at night. I want you to be mine and I want to be yours." She needs to know this isn’t a one-way deal. That I’m not planning to take anything I’m not willing to offer.
Lydia is quiet for a minute, eyes staying on my face. "Okay."
I like that she's agreeing, but I know her well enough not to take it at face value. "Do you mean that, or are you just telling me what you think I want to hear?"
Lydia smiles, the expression bright as it blooms across her face. "I feel like maybe you’ve got me figured out." Her eyes drop to my chest as she lifts one hand to toy with the fabric of my shirt. "And, I do really mean it.” She pauses, expression thoughtful. “Since I moved to Memphis, I’ve felt like I haven’t been doing the things I should. I wasn’t dating. I wasn’t partying. I wasn’t running wild the way I expected I would.” Her eyes come to mine. “I felt bad about it for a long time, but I finally understand I genuinely don't want to do any of those things. And I’m done feeling like that makes me a failure."
My lips twitch with the urge to smile. I’m so fucking proud of her and so goddamned relieved. "So what I'm hearing is you’re willing to settle for me so you can avoid all the dating and partying."
Lydia nods, her expression solemn. "Yes, but I'm sure I'll be able to cope with it somehow."
"Cope? I’ll show you cope.” I loop her arm behind my head, bending over to press my shoulder into her belly before standing up, carrying her down the hall and across our room as she squeals, to deposit her right in the center of my bed.
The bed I might never let her leave.
Lydia cackles as I drop her down onto the sheets, her head tipped back as she laughs. “It’s a sacrifice, but someone has to make it.”
