Page 57 of Petals of Blue: Part Two
I can't imagine how she must feel. Blue is the most independent person I know, so passing out on the kitchen table and waking up to men wanting to take care of her must be a tough pill to swallow.
"Snuggles?" Jared asks, sounding hopeful. I laugh when Blue narrows her eyes at him. "Come on, snuggle me, Bee? You're tired, I'm tired, you're hungry, I'm hungry, Rome made banana bread, and Felix brought cozy sweatshirts. Oh, and Declan told me about this new movie that started streaming a few days ago."
As soon as Blue looks at me, I know my vow to never watch a horror movie again disappears. Anything for Blue. And I doubt it will be that bad—I'll just close my eyes.
Blue's eyes widen and snap to me. I nod, knowing what she's asking me. "Yup. Our favorite!"
Roman curses and stomps to the kitchen to dish up breakfast. Felix groans but moves to the living room to get the movie set up. Jared laughs and slowly scoops an excited Blue into his arms.
Horror movies were something Blue and I used to bond over. Pissed the older two right off every time we demanded a movie night because theyknewthere would be no relaxing.
What a perfect way to start the day. Ignoring the trauma in the room, reluctant cuddles, delicious banana bread, and jump scares with our woman.
What I thought would be perfect is actually a fucking disaster. The banana bread was good, obviously, but every time Jared jumped at the movie, he jostled Blue hard enough that she would hiss in pain.
Fast forward to now, I'm realizing what a damn idiot I was to agree we watch this. Blue tenses as the girl in the movie screams and falls to the ground. I'm holding my breath, thankful when the actress stands back up and continues stumbling through the woods.
"Blue," Felix rumbles, glancing from the screen to her. Blue jumps in response to his deep voice. "Okay, that's enough."
Roman immediately turns the TV off, and twists to watch as Felix pulls Blue onto his lap. His face is like stone beside me, but once he has Blue straddling his thighs, he relaxes and tucks her face into the crook of his neck.
She goes willingly, snuggling into Felix for comfort.It was a bad idea. Even if we had only meant to watch the first ten minutes so as not to hurt her concussion, I should have known it started with the scary stuff right away.
"I'm sorry," I whisper, fidgeting in my seat.Fuck, I triggered her. I'm such an idiot.
"Enough," my brother scolds, drawing Blue's attention. Roman continues as Blue twists her head to look at me. "I can hear the shitty thoughts in your head. It's fine. Now we know not to watch this crap. Like ever again."
Blue sits up with an indignant look on her face as she pushes back from Felix a bit. "Not crap."
"Shh," Felix coos, eyeing her abused neck.
"It's not crap. I like it," she whispers defiantly at my big brother. She bats Felix's hand away when he tries to press his finger to her lips. "Stop," she huffs.
"You aren't supposed to be talking, Blue."
Completely ignoring the hostile man beneath her, she turns back to Roman. "You aren't ba-anning scary movies." Her hand flies up, probably to make another point, but Felix snatches her wrist. Angry, she snaps, "Felix!"
I watch, amused and turned on as Felix presses his lips to hers. She gasps, thankfully not coughing this time, and sinks further onto his lap. The kiss only lasts half a second.
Blue sucks in a breath and pries herself from Felix's lap. "I-I?—"
Felix curses, sounding a little remorseful but I knowhe doesn't regret the move he made. Just how it made her feel so uncertain.
Standing in front of us, she looks lost and scared. Nothing like the Blue from a few weeks ago who would have verbally kicked Felix's ass for that kiss.
"It's okay," I murmur, reaching to hold her hand. I'm mindful of the bandages still on her four fingertips.
She shakes her head, tears filling her eyes. "It's no-ot. My mind’s not o-okay."
I nod, understanding her dilemma. "You liked the kiss, but you aren't sure if you're ready yet? I know you're not pushing us away, pretty girl, but we're just trying to hold you closer."
Nodding ever so slightly, Blue squeezes my hand loosely.
"It's okay not to have the answers right now. We're just working with what feels right." I hope I'm making sense because I really don't want her to run from us. Felix kissing her could have sent her sprinting for the hills.
"I just—" she hesitates and bites her lip while glancing over at Felix every other second. "I'm not sure."
"Alright," I acknowledge and smile. "Hey, where's your vacuum? I want to clean up our mess in the kitchen from last night's soup."
