Page 59 of Aperture
“Someone called the police station. Said something bad was going to happen at this restaurant and that ‘Detective Hudson’ would be personally affected. The only person I care about is right here, so I don’t know what the fuck is going on.”
“Well, as you can see, Millie is fine. She is on a date with her boyfriend,” Theo explains.
I place my hand on his arm and speak to him quietly. “It’s OK, Theo.”
I look at Wyatt, and my heart aches. I had somehow forgotten his intensity and beauty. His eyebrows are pulled together, and his chest is heaving with worry, for me.
“Wyatt, I’m OK. I promise,” I tell him. “I don’t know what’s going on, but I’m not in danger.”
He starts to reach for me but pulls himself back and takes a steadying breath. “I don’t understand,” he shakes his head. I want to hug him and reassure him, but I can’t.
“I’m sorry someone scared you,” I tell him.
“Well, this just got interesting,” Johnny says as he continues to drink another beer, leaning back in his chair like this is fucking dinner theater. He opted not to switch to coffee like the rest of us.
“Who the fuck are you?” Wyatt asks.
“I’m Johnny,” he sneers.
“Well, Johnny,” Wyatt responds. “Shut the fuck up. No one asked you.”
I can’t help but smile. I’ve been trying to hold back all night, and Wyatt shows up and calls this guy out on his bullshit within two minutes.
“Hey,” Johnny says, holding his hands up, “I’m not trying to upset anyone. It’s just obvious that Millie here is fucking both of you.”
Both Wyatt and Theo lunge for Johnny. It’s Wyatt who reaches him first, grabbing him by the shirt.
“Don’t say another word, Fucker.” He throws him back into his seat.
Johnny just laughs, his head lulling to the side, clearly drunk. Wyatt turns to Gwen.
“Hi, Gwen. Nice to see you again,” he says with humor in his tone.
“You, too, Wyatt.” She laughs.
“Can you get this asshat home OK?” he asks, motioning to Johnny.
“Yeah, I got it,” she tells him.
“Let’s go,” she says sternly to Johnny.
He gets up on shaky legs and starts to follow her but turns on his way out and says, “I hope this all works out for you three.” Then he stumbles after Gwen.
“Well, he’s a charming guy,” Wyatt replies.
“Yeah, he’s definitely a keeper,” I joke.
“Millie is fine, Wyatt. You can leave now,” Theo interjects, putting his arm around me.
Wyatt looks sad for a moment before covering it up. “I am just going to check this place a bit more. See if we can find out who called. You two have a good night.”
Theo hands me my jacket, and we start to walk out, but not before I make eye contact with Wyatt, seeing the devastation in his eyes.
The ride home is quiet after such a strange evening. I’m sure we’re both still processing it as we pull up to my house and shuffle to the door.
Theo walks me inside, but the minute we’re through the door, he starts walking me backward and then pushes me down onto the couch, hovering over me with a desperation in his eyes that I’ve never seen before. He leans down and starts kissing me passionately, tilting his hips to grind against me. It’s much rougher than our typical make-out sessions. It feels like he’s trying to possess me in a way.
He nips at my jaw and neck, licking the sting as he goes, then bites down on the junction between my shoulder and neck and sucks hard, marking my skin.
