Page 105 of Chasing Lyric
She’s like a drug, and I can’t help myself.
Her blinds are drawn, but there’s a tiny slit in the middle where she hasn’t closed them properly. I know I’m a fucking creep, but I sink low and peek inside her bedroom. She’s standing by her mirror, wiping the tears away from her cheeks. I frown, wishing I were there to do it for her. She pulls the top knot from her head, her perfect blonde waves falling around her face as she switches off her main light, leaving the room in darkness. The sensor light has flicked off again, and I can’t see her except for her silhouette. She makes her way to her bed, pulls back the covers, and slides in. She fluffs her pillows, then snuggles into them.
I wish more than anything I was behind her, cuddling into every inch of her perfect body.
“Goodnight, Hallmark, wherever you are,” I hear her say through the slightly open window.
I tense, wondering briefly if she knows I’m here.
But she couldn’t know… could she?
I relax a little, hearing her breathing calm while I keep my eyes on her body. I’m glad she isn’t crying anymore. Seeing her so worked up like that fucking kills me.
I’m honestly not sure what I’m doing. Squatting outside Lyric’s window, watching her fall asleep—it’s fucking creepy, even I know that, and I’m taking this too far. She would probably feel violated if she knew, but I want to know she’s okay.
I want to make sure she’s coping.
I want to be here if she falls into too big of a heap.
I want to be the man to put her back together, even though I am the man who broke her apart.
I don’t fit the Hallmark mold, but dammit, I’ll rewrite the whole movie if it means I get my girl.
I turn my back, gently sliding down against the side of her house under her window.
I don’t have a plan.
I don’t know where my mind is at right now, but what I do know is that I want to be close to her. Ineedto be close to her. And if being here while she drifts off to sleep is what I have to do to accomplish that, then so be it.
The moon shines bright, hanging in the velvet sky. A barred owl hoots in the distance, making tonight feel like something more out of a Halloween movie. Opossums run up and down the tree in her front yard, trying to find nuts or whatever the fuck it is they’re after. It’s amazing how, after we go to bed, the whole world comes alive. I had no idea how beautiful the silence can be. The glow of the moon lighting the street and the stunning garden Lyric has created makes me realize I never take the time to admire the small things. But now that I have a moment to literally stop and smell the roses, I can see all the hard work she’s put in.
It’s just another reason to love her.
The sound of a car making its way down the street makes me tense as the headlights come closer toward Lyric’s house. The thought of someone seeing me sitting out the front of her bedroom window rings alarm bells. I don’t want to go to jail tonight, or any night for that matter, so I creep in behind another bush by her bedroom window. Fuck, I’ve never been so glad that she has a green thumb as I am right now.The car slows down on approach, and I wonder if whoever’s in the car can see me as a spotlight comes out of the window shining righton her home. I stand stock-still, narrowing my eyes on the side of the car.
Laguna Beach Security.
Fucking hell, she has patrols on her house? Figures. Sheisrock royalty.
I need to remember this.
My heart races in my chest so fast, waiting for the guard to get out of the car, but before I have a second to break into full panic mode, the spotlight flicks off, and the driver speeds off down the road in a hurry like he’s missing out on a special at McDonald’s.
I let out a relieved exhale as I try to control my breathing. Edging out from the bush, this time I attempt to keep away from the sensor light as I turn to her window and peek into her room, the shards of silver moonlight illuminating a light on her beautiful face.
She’s fast asleep.
Possibly dreaming of a better life.
With me in it?
I don’t know.
I can only hope.
I check the time on my watch—it’s almost three in the morning.
My eyes are heavy, and this is getting a little ridiculous. I know she’s fine. She’s asleep, and nothing’s going to happen if I leave.
