Chapter 22: True Words of a Gentleman
Browen thought she was nuzzling against a pillow when she realized it was something harder. It was Reid's chest. She opened her eyes and saw him wrapped around her. What happened? Images and sounds flashed in her mind in recollection of last night. She suddenly panicked and remember when she drowned. She sat up but her body was determined to lay back. From the stress, adrenaline, and use, her muscles were burnt out and fatigued. Reid felt her shot up. He opened his eyes. Browen grimaced and held her head in anguish. "Sweets?" She turned to him. "Lay back down or you'll get sick or something."
She was in no mood to argue. She laid down. The emotions of last night caught up to her and she started to cry. He didn't know what was going on in her head. "You're safe, it's okay." He didn't care if it comforted her but more for him. You're safe, it's okay. He felt great relief to see her up. "I have to go to class," she sobbed. "Oh no, no class for you. I'll have one of your friends call you out." "Do they know what happened?" "Yeah, early this morning I called everyone." "What happened to Chase?" Reid turned away in regret. "He got away." He was instantly filled with hatred. "Because of me," he added. "No, you saved me. So if anything, it's my fault for being stupid."
"No, Chase tricked you. Well, as much as I love to stay in bed with you in our underwear, I have to get to class." Browen made an attempt to get as if to dress and leave. "No, you stay. You can't walk around anyhow. I'll get ready for school and get you clothes before class okay?" "Fine, have one of the girls get something." "Don't trust my fashion sense?" "I'm afraid or what you'll bring or the lack of." Reid went to change into his uniform. He noticed their wet clothes with a puddle underneath it. "I guess I'll bring these home." He chucked them into a bag.
"Hey Garwin?" "Yeah?" "Why am I not wearing clothes?" It dawned on her as she sat there in a bra. "You were hypothermic and wet. I got rid of the clothes to get you dry." "Your clothes too?" "Well, when in Rome. I couldn't make you warm with my wet clothes can't I?" "I'm sure you hated that." "Well, I was able to save you and enjoy the view." "Oh thanks. I'm glad I provided some entertainment while nearing death." Browen head the word "death" and took a deep breath. Reid sat next to Browen. "I'll be fucked before I let something happen to you." "True words of a gentleman." "I'm serious. If something happened to you, I..." Reid didn't know how to finish the sentence. "You wouldn't have a date to the formal?" "That and..." he couldn't find the words to say. I would never feel whole. I could never love another? But that would mean that I love Browen? Do I? I cried at the sight of her when she almost died. My world paused when her life did. I don't know. "Shut up and go to class," she yawned and curled in a ball. She spared him from stumbling from sentiment.
He went over to the girls' house and Elliot gave Reid a bag of Browen's clothing. He went back to his dorm and placed the bag at the foot of the bed. She was sound asleep. Reid went to class but he was distracted by Browen. He called between classes and lunch to make sure she was okay. The others took turns calling. Right after school, he dashed to his dorms without waste of time. He opened the door to find Browen in the process of dressing. "Do you mind closing the door at least?" He closed the door. Reid like how she didn't freak out. He figured because he already saw her in her underwear, nothing new.
Browen put on sweat pants and a t-shirt. "I see you're feeling better." "Yeah, just sore and tired." "Well after a night with me, it's expected." She shook her head and rolled her eyes. "Why am I not surprised to hear that remark?" "Only stating truth." Browen still looked sleepy. "Go back to my bed," Reid requested. "Can't I go to my own bed now?" "All right, I'll drive you home." Reid was even nice enough to carry her things. Browen's body moved slower than she would have liked. Reid grew impatient as he held doors and waited for her to catch up. He grabbed her and carried to the car. She stood up again and she opened the door and got into the car.
"I thought a gentleman would open a car door for a lady." "I carried your heavy ass from the bottom floor to the car." Usually, a girl becomes irate if she was described as heavy whether she is or isn't. "Can't help if I got junk in the trunk." "Actually, you have a boney ass." "How do I manage a boney, heavy ass?" "One of your talents, I guess." Reid walked Browen up to her house. Browen opened the door and was bombarded by three excited girls.
Browen glanced at Reid and expressed 'Help me" with her eyes. The girls squealed and asked questions. "I'm okay, I'm okay. But I won't be if you won't let me breath." They helped her and her things up to her room. Reid was left by the front door. He received a text message from Browen. "Help me. Get rid of these crazies in my room!" He went upstairs. "Um, I think it's best for Browen to get her rest now." "Since when you are so fatherly Reid?" Alexandra asked. "Don't make me discipline you," he growled in seduction. Alexandra grabbed Elliot and Teresa and sprinted out of Browen's room. "Thank you." "Yeah, well I'll be pissed if people kept nagging when I wanted to sleep."