Strings of Fate by Kit Bryan
Chapter 76

76- Bag and back–ups

Maybe he is right to be worried that I’ll run away. Then again, I’m not sure I could actually force myself to move so maybe not. Not to mention I’m a little caught up with a fairly hilarious mental image of Bellamy swooning like a damsel in distress like in an old timey

drama.

“I… all I did was make us even. You did two of the courting tradition things and now so have I. I do see what you mean about hiding and holding back and I just wanted to show you that I appreciate it. Now, in the nicest way possible, if we don’t end this conversation now I might actually die from embarrassment. So please, let’s head inside and go make dinner and relax.” My voice is nearly pleading. Bellamy grins at me.

“I’m not sure you could actually die from embarrassment, but let’s not risk it.” He runs around to open my door and leads me inside. I use my app to approve the security alert and we both get to cooking.

The meal we cook isn’t great, but it’s not a complete disaster. I’d give it a solid C+. We might have to practise that, but it’s okay, we have time. Bellamy excuses himself to the bathroom for a minute and I take the time to check my messages.

COCK TALES

Harry- Guys it’s officially a thing now. The bartender doesn’t actually give me the drinks I order anymore.

Harry- Can anyone work out what this drink is meant to be? -IMG.2

Harry lists the ingredients he watched the bartender put into the drink. I search online for an

answer.

Ryann- I think it’s called ‘Sweet poison.‘ Are you sure annoying this chick is the best idea? I’m not sure you’re going to get anywhere.

Ryann- Also accepting unknown drinks from someone with the word poison in the title is a little concerning.

Harry–Who says I’m trying to get anywhere. I’m having fun and that’s enough for me. Besides, I’m pretty sure she secretly thinks I’m funny. She won’t poison me. Probably. At very least nothing lethal. I’ll risk it.

Ryann- If you say so. I’m hanging with Bellamy tonight so we can chat more tomorrow okay?

Harry- Fine, go pet your Alpha Kitty Kat. I can chat with Megan. That is if she actually

answers.

Ryann-… That was a weird statement. And Megs is sleeping. She’s had a few late nights and turned in early.

Harry- Oh. Fine, be that way. I guess I’ll go order drinks until the bartender cuts me off. Or kicks me out, whichever comes first. Enjoy your evening.

Ryann- Night Harry.

I’m just plugging my phone in to charge by my bed when Bellamy emerges from the bathroom. He holds an arm out to me and I willingly step into him. He pulls me in tightly and gives me a light kiss, he tastes like mint. I assume he brushed his teeth. He pulls back but keeps his arms hooked around my waist.

“Ry, how would you feel if I maybe kept a few things here. Like some clothes in case I have to shift in a hurry and end up ruining mine. Maybe a few extra things for when I stay over…” he trails off, watching my face closely for my reaction. I remember the large bag he packed and the extra items he picked up while shopping and narrow my eyes at him suspiciously.

“You’re asking, but you already brought the stuff with you didn’t you?” I ask. A guilty look crosses his face.

“Well… yes. I thought I would see how the evening went before deciding if I should ask or not. So… can I?” I consider for a minute. I guess there’s no harm in it. I mean at this point there’s no point pretending that he won’t be staying the night sometimes, and it’s a good idea to have backup clothes in case his get ruined or something. Still, I somehow feel like I’ve been tricked somehow. But I’m not exactly sure how.

“Alright if you want. If you can replace somewhere to keep them I guess it’s okay.” Bellamy

76- Bag and back–ups

beams at me and presses a kiss to my forehead.

“Thankyou.” He grabs his bag and pulls out a few neatly folded piles of clothes. I roll my eyes before I grab pyjamas off my bed and head into the bathroom to brush my teeth and change. I’m just closing the door when a thought occurs to me. I don’t need Bellamy going through. my underwear drawer.

“Stay out the bottom drawer of my dresser Bellamy. Anywhere else is fine.” I call out. I close the door but I can hear his muffled agreement. I’m brushing my teeth when I notice an extra toothbrush, a can of men’s deodorant and a few cheap razors in my bathroom cabinet. Sneaky bastard started unpacking things before he even asked me. I can’t help but laugh. He did say he was seeing how far he could push things today. I suppose he meant that in more ways than one. Bellamy is definitely the kind where I give an inch and he takes a mile. But he did ask, and I know he will back off if I tell him to, so I’m not nearly as worried about it as I thought I would be.

When I exit the bathroom, Bellamy’s bag is lying empty by the end of my bed and Bellamy is closing one of my drawers. I can’t help but let out a deep yawn. Bellamy immediately approaches and guides me by the shoulders towards my bed. He pulls back the blankets, waits for me to climb in then slips in beside me, dragging the blankets over us. He sits back low against the pillows and holds his arm out invitingly, a hopeful smile on his face. With only a moments pause, I lean into him and let him wrap the arm around me, resting my head against his shoulder. I both hear and feel as Bellamy releases a contented sigh. He flicks off the light and shuffles us down the bed and into the pillows until we are both comfortable. Either I am more tired than I think I am or Bellamy is like a drug because I can barely keep my eyes open. I hear Bellamy whisper softly into my hair.

“Good night Ry, sleep well and thank you for today.”

I startle awake in the morning to the sound of my alarm. I roll around trying to replace my phone to turn it off but realise I’m further from my bedside table than usual. I force myself to roll over and turn it off, accidentally dropping my phone on my face in the process. Somehow, my sleep–addled brain realises that my phone was further away than usual because I slept further over to leave space for Bellamy. Who I am now realising isn’t actually here. I guess he had somewhere to be. I replace I’m actually a little disappointed. Waking up with Bellamy might be a little… disconcerting. But it’s still nice. I roll onto my back, not wanting to get up, when a crinkle of paper under my elbow tells me I’m lying on something. I unstick it from my arm and replace it’s another of Bellamy’s notes.

76- Bag and back–ups

*Good morning, beautiful!

As usual, I have what I expect will be very boring meetings I need to attend this morning. Although I think they might replace me more irritable than usual today as the meetings deprived me

wake up with you. of the chance to

Hopefully I’ll get a chance to see you today, but in case I don’t, I hope you have a good day at work and you enjoy your ‘girl’s night‘ with my sister.

Yours always,

Bellamy.

P.S. I swear I didn’t touch your bottom drawer…