| 27 |

~ Banks Woods ~

The night is loud with chatter and music with people bustling around. It's a sort of street festival, where food stalls are lining the curb, and lamps are lit up at every corner. The guys devised a plan to hang out together this weekend so here we are.

So far it's a mess with me, Xander and Castle having to take care of Caleb, Theo, Kaylee and Holly. Lance is just in between pretending to be a parent and snickering at the stupid things the latter are doing.

Everyone's got their jackets and coats on against the chilly night. I'm wearing three shirts and a sweater, along with a jacket, but the slightest breeze makes my bones quake. Castle's in the same situation as me so we both had to buy hot drinks to help keep us warm.

I'm about to pay for my hot tea when a hand gently nudges me aside. Lance puts his card forward and taps it on the machine. His payment gets accepted and he thanks the lady at the tea stall.

I glare at him while wrapping my frozen fingers around the warm cup. "You didn't have to do that."

Lance, who looks sharp and handsome in a cream sweater and brown pants, shrugs. "We're the ones who forced you out of your house, so we'll be the ones to pay."

He then leans in closer so that my shoulder touches his chest. "I also love paying for you so let me do it."

I raise an eyebrow. "By all means, go ahead. I have rent, groceries, bills, Caleb's school supplies, clothes."

"That's it?"

My mouth goes slack at his serious expression. Damn. I guess he really was serious.

"And when I told you to buy me an eraser because I lost mine, you couldn't?" Castle says sourly from the side, taking a sip of his tea.

"Not this again." Lance groans. "I told you I couldn't that day because I was busy."

Castle rolls his eyes. "Sure. Suddenly you have so much free time the moment you met Banks."

"Okay, why are you acting like a jealous wife? Where's Holly?"

"Somewhere with Kaylee."

"Is that why you're pissy? Because your fiancee left you to hang out with her new friends?"

"Shut up." Castle glares.

Lance and Castle continue bickering until finally, Holly comes to us. Her cheeks are flushed because of the cold and probably because of how much she was running around. She looks stunning as ever with a white skirt and a huge fluffy pink sweater with a white scarf to match her look.

"Are you a fucking kid?" She asks Castle the moment she's near us. "I turned around for one second and you were gone."

"One second?" Castle raises his eyebrows. "You just took off with Kaylee, Theo and Caleb."

"I thought you were right behind me!"

"Sure." He rolls his eyes.

A sheepish smile comes on her face. "Okay, maybe I did forget you for a second, but it's not my fault! I found these cute little soaps that looked much better than your sour lemon face."

Castle and Holly continue their little squabble as Lance slings an arm through mine and guides me away. My brain immediately registers how warm his body feels beside mine and how I would love to just be in his arms and melt away. It's been almost a month now since the night in his car and every day, I think that it got us closer to each other. Even yet, the thought of outwardly doing anything romantic with him makes me shy.

"What do you think of going to a cat-themed cafe with me next weekend?" Lance asks me.

I frown at him. "A what?"

"You heard me."

"A cat-themed cafe?" I emphasize.

He nods.

I raise a brow. "You're joking, aren't you?"

His lips twitch but he quickly masks it. "Nope. I love cats and I love coffee, and now I love doing everything when I'm with you."

"Maybe try to tone down on the love a little," I mutter, knowing fully he's messing with me.

"Can't. This heart feels too much." He places a fist on his chest. "I feel like breaking into a song."

"Please don't."

"Why not? I wanna see how many people join me."

"This is not Disney."

"It doesn't have to be Disney. It can be...Lancey."

"Lancey?" I burst out laughing.

He shrugs, grinning. "Hey, don't judge. Disney is just as weird as Lancey. The only reason you're laughing right now is because it's not famous like Disney." 

I shake my head in amusement.

Noticing the way Lance's nose looks a little red, I offer him my tea. "Want some? You seem cold."

He raises his eyebrows. "You're giving your tea to me? What did I ever do to deserve such generosity?"

I roll my eyes. "Want it or not?"

His arm slips around my waist, startling me, before he pulls me closer to him. "Why don't I taste it from your lips instead?"

"Gross."

"No, it's not gross."

"It is."

"Then why are you blushing?"

"It's the cold."

"Sure it is."

"Don't get too high in your head, buddy."

"Why not? The confidence boost came from the way you moaned and pulled my hair the last time I—"

"Lance!" I hiss.

"What?"

"Shut up!" I look around to see if anyone heard him. People seem pretty busy with their own lives but if anyone had heard him then I'm calling a night and disappearing into my home.

"Why should I? I want to remind you about the way you gasped when I put my hands on your—"

"Lance!" I shove his shoulder.

He breaks into a huge grin. I scowl him before turning around and marching away.

"Banks! Wait!"

I continue walking.

He catches up to me within two long strides. "Oh come on. I was flirting with you."

"Oh yeah? I couldn't tell."

"Really? 'Cause your cheeks look like big tomatoes."

I stop short and glare at him. "My cheeks look like what?" 

His smile drops. "Uh..."

I wait, giving him the I dare you to repeat it look.

"What are we talking about again?" He lets out a nervous chuckle.

I narrow my eyes.

"I'm sorry." He breaks out. "I didn't mean to call your cheeks a tomato. I meant it looked as red as a tomato. Not that it actually looked like a big plump tomato. I meant you looked cute blushing like that and pretending that you didn't enjoy my flirting—"

"I wasn't pretending."

"Liar."

"Am not."

"I thought we weren't supposed to lie to each other anymore."

"I didn't lie."

He stares at me, a challenge rising in his eyes. The look he gives me makes my heart thump faster because I know exactly what he's thinking. He raises a hand towards me and I don't think before I turn around and flee.

I'm glad I have only five sips of tea left, so nothing falls out of the cup. I run randomly in between people and stalls, feeling Lance's breath right on my back. He's running slower for me because I know if he wanted, he could've snatched me right back before I could even take a step.

A light-hearted joy spreads through my chest and I don't even know why as I run as if my life depends on it. Lance chases me throughout, occasionally grazing my back or shoulder with his fingers to give me a little scare.

While running, I pass by Castle and Holly who are sitting on a bench and talking. I quickly thrust my tea in Holly's direction before dashing away. With my hands empty, it makes running easier. It still doesn't change the fact that I'm not a runner. After fifteen seconds, my lungs seem like they're about to burst, but I don't stop running.

"You can stop running now!" Lance calls out behind me. "I promise I won't bite you."

"Liar!" I throw back.

His laugh reaches my ears and I realize I'm laughing too. To avoid bumping into people, I go around to the back of the stalls. Right as I'm about to make a turn, a hand closes on my shoulder and I yelp as Lance's body crashes into mine.

We lose footing and soon we're falling to the grass. At the last moment, Lance flips us so that it's him who takes the fall with me landing on top of him. He gasps at the contact and I try taking advantage of the breath being knocked out of him by quickly getting up.

I don't even get on my knees before a pair of arms wrap around my waist and tug me down. Lance flips us around again so that it's my back to the grass and him on top of me. He pins my thighs down with his and traps my wrists in his hands against the ground. I struggle to free myself but it's useless against his huge body.

"Not...fair..." I glare up at him, breathing heavily.

He smirks, his eyes taking in my body underneath him. They flash when they reach my chest that's still heaving after the run.

"Don't you dare." I warn him. "There are children around."

"We're in the back. No one can see us."

'No. If you do anything, I will knee your balls and ruin your chances of making sunshine babies."

"Sunshine babies?" He raises an eyebrow, amused.

"Whatever babies."

"Have you ever heard of Moonlight Babies?"

I glare. "Stop making fun of me." 

"You started it."

"I was threatening you."

"Cute of you to think that'll stop me." He moves his hips so it's aligned with mine and I can feel his hardness. "I find it very hot."

"You're insane." I breathe out, feeling my own core pulse with desire as he grinds his center into mine.

"Not as insane as you get me when I'm inside you." He leans closer so that his lips are near my ear.

"I'm serious though, Lance. If you do anything, I will forever refuse to go out with you ever again."

He groans, but rolls away, landing on his back beside me.

We both stare at the night sky. It's empty but reflects back the light from the street fest. I don't know how long we lie there, silently catching our breaths while holding each other's hands.

When my bones start to get chilly, we finally stand from the grass and dust ourselves.

"Here, you have some grass there." Lance reaches forward and pats my ass.

I realize too late, then make a face. "Pervert."

"I'm no pervert for touching my own girlfriend." He defends himself.

I roll my eyes, and then we both make our way back towards the front.

Lance continues stating exceptions about how he's allowed to feel me up because apparently, his hands feel weird when they're not touching me. I roll my eyes again while trying to hide a smile.

The smile falters though when I spot Caleb. He's standing in the corner behind a tent, talking to someone.

I stop in my place, my eyebrows furrowing.

Lance stops beside me, confused. "What happened?"

I gesture with my chin, muttering. "Who's that?"

The guy standing with Caleb has defined chin-length curly hair that's half covered with an orange beanie. He has the whole "skater" look to him with his baggy clothes and metal chains.

"I've never seen him before." Which is weird. I know everyone that Caleb knows which is easy because he doesn't usually try to make any friends.

My defences kick up and I square up my shoulders and take off to march towards them. Before I can take two steps, a hand clamps on my arm, holding me back.

"Woah. Woah. Woah. Where are you going?" Lance asks.

"What do you mean? I'm going to see who's the guy and probably knee his balls if I find out he's threatening Caleb."

"Banks," Lance says with the tone, the tone which conveys that he thinks I'm being stupid or irrational. "Look at them. Does it look like he's threatening Caleb?"

I look again. No. They seem pretty relaxed. Caleb doesn't seem to look troubled—my eyebrows raise—he's smiling. Brightly. I've never seen him smile so freely with anyone else except for our close circle. Both of them are leaning their sides onto the wall, their heads close to each other as they talk and laugh.

The sight leaves me baffled.

"Why...who...who is that?" I frown.

Lance shrugs, smiling. "Maybe Caleb made a new friend."

"Why didn't he tell me about him?"

"I don't know. Maybe his friend is the shy one."

"This doesn't make sense. If Caleb made a new friend, he'd boast about it for eternity."

Lance shrugs again. "Again, maybe it's the new friend."

"Why would he want Caleb to keep their friendship a secret?" My mind whirls with ideas until a single one becomes apparent. "Unless...he's forcing Caleb to because he's making Caleb sell drugs or some shit!"

My eyes widen and I nearly take off towards them again. Lance's hand tightens around my arm and he pulls me back with a sigh.

"Look at them again, Banks. Does it look like they're exchanging drugs?"

"They might be! You never know. Maybe he's threatening Caleb to deal for him and my brother is too scared to tell him no."

"Does Caleb look scared right now?"

"He does—no...but he might be faking it!"

Lance sighs, looking heavenward.

"Come on, Banks. We talked about this. You were going to give Caleb space, weren't you?"

I open my mouth but close it again. Right. I did tell myself to become less overbearing on Caleb. I promised myself to not cage him. My instincts are urging me to charge ahead and demand to know who the new person is, but my brain is fighting against those to calm me down.

My brother's laugh reaches my ear as the beanie guy tells him something with animated gestures. Caleb adds something and then they're both doubling over in laughter.

He looks so...happy.  

After a couple of beats, I slowly exhale through my mouth, my defences melting away.

"Right," I mumble. "You're right. I shouldn't meddle in Caleb's life. He's allowed to have secret friends." I nod. "As long as he's not doing drugs."

A smile spreads across Lance's face. "Caleb's a good kid. He won't break your trust."

Right. I nearly groan. How can I forget that? I nearly got blinded just because of my irrational thoughts. Caleb's not someone who'd go behind my back and do something majorly stupid. He's shy and dumb and annoying and he'd never do anything without telling me.

I give Lance a miserable look. "I hate my thoughts."

He weaves his fingers through mine, pulling me close and planting a kiss on my temple. "You can't be Banks without those silly thoughts of yours."

"You're so right though. I was this close to marching over there and bashing that kid's head when I didn't even know if it was necessary. I hate how irrational I can get." I hide my face in my hand.

"Hey," Lance nudges my shoulder with his, making me look at him. "It's alright. We all have our irrational moments. You're only like that when it comes to Caleb. You're good otherwise. Don't worry."

"Seriously though. What would I do without you?" I sigh.

He lifts a shoulder. "Guess we'll never have to find out. Now let's go and check out the other stalls."

"Okay." We take a step before a thought crosses my head. "Can we still make frequent checkups on them—just in case."

He sighs. "Fine. Only a glance."

It doesn't sit well with me but I nod anyway.

"At least you're making progress."

"I guess," I mutter, then we finally walk ahead, checking out the other stalls with Lance convincing me to let him buy me silly little things that I have no use for except for the fact that they look cute and dumb.

●・○・●・○・●

So far I've been in a good mood with less violent thoughts than usual. But then I wake up to cramps and blood in my underwear and there goes my progress.

Caleb's nearly close to bursting into tears with how cranky I'm being but it's not my fault. My periods always turn me into an extra bitch even though there's nothing that's frustrating me.

"Can't you do anything right?" I snap when Caleb misses a spot on the table.

"Geez." He sighs, then vigorously rubs the spot with the cloth, exaggerating the gesture. "Happy now?"

"Barely. Did you pick up your underwear?"

"From which time?"

"All of them, you jackass!" I throw a pillow at his head.

It hits him, and he scowls at me. He picks up the pillow to throw it back at me but one glare from my side, and he quickly puts it away, grumbling under his breath.

My cramps are cramping like a total bitch and it's hard to think of anything else when my entire body hurts, from my head to the soles of my feet.

Sometimes I'm grateful and relieved when I see my period. There was a moment in my life when it stopped for a whole year. I don't even know why. I remember crying in relief when I woke up one morning and found blood in my underwear.

Right now, it's hard to feel grateful or relieved with the pain pulsing through my pores. At least it's the weekend so I don't have to skip work.

I'm bathing in my misery when my phone starts ringing. It's on the table and Caleb picks it up with an excited look. "It's Lance!"

"Give it," I order but Caleb ignores, picking up the phone and greeting Lance as if they're old best buddies.

I can hear Lance's voice as he greets my brother back with equal enthusiasm before asking where I am.

"Yup. Banks is here. She's bleeding."

Panic enters Lance's voice. "Bleeding? From where?"

Caleb freezes. "Uh...I'd rather not answer that." 

I roll my eyes. Idiots.

"Hand me the phone," I demand and this time Caleb gives it to me.

"Hello," I speak.

"Banks. Are you okay?"

"Define okay."

"What's wrong?"

I sigh, closing my eyes and dropping my head back onto the couch. "Nothing. My period started this morning. My whole body is cramping."

"Oh. Give me twenty minutes. I'll be right there."

"Huh?" I blink. "Oh. You don't have to—"

"Nope. I'm gonna be there and maybe we can watch a movie or anything you like."

My insides crumble at how sweet he is and my hormones make me emotional.

"Okay."

"Okay." He repeats. "I'll be there. Bye for now."

"Bye."

I hang up and take a moment to remind myself that this man is truly real and that he's not fictional.

Then I snap my head towards Caleb and glare at him. "Lance is coming. Pick up your underwear!"

●・○・●・○・●

When Lance said he was coming, I thought he meant alone. We all know when Lance said alone, he actually meant alone. But no, apparently that word is different in his dictionary. Because when Caleb opened the door for him, guess what's the first thing we heard?

Meow.

Fast forward, after all the screaming, yelling and apologizing, we're finally settled with me and Caleb on the corners of the couch and Lance on the carpet with his "precious, gorgeous" Twilight.  

Lance's explanation for bringing her over is that he doesn't get to spend time with her like he used to because now I'm taking up the majority of his time. So he thought he'd bring her over so he could spend time with both of us together.

How peachy.

Whatever.

I'm totally not jealous that my boyfriend thinks he has the right to make time for someone else who is a female and an animal.

Caleb pats me on the thigh when a sudden realization crosses him. "She looks like Shit!"

I take a look at the cat and my eyes widen when I see it. "You're right!"

"See! I told you she's haunting me!"

Lance gasps, offended and hurt. "She doesn't look that bad!"

He pets Twilight's little head, holding her to him as if she's his baby.

Caleb's quick to explain that Shit was our aunt's cat and that we were definitely not insulting Twilight by comparing her to Shit.

As much as the cat bothers me, I'm filled in a bubble of warmth. Lance came here with an armful of snacks and my favourite chocolate milk. One sip from it and my pain nearly melted all away.

Caleb fell to his knees, bowing down to Lance. "I am at your mercy! You literally calmed down a volcano. Do with me as you please—except for my face."

Lance's only response was to chuckle and give me a kiss to which Caleb loudly yelled ew at.

Now we're comfortable in our spots, watching one of those gamer movies that Lance and Caleb wouldn't stop obsessing about.

I look at Lance's head and a wave of deja vu hits me. The last time we did this, I was confused about my feelings toward him and he was nearly a stranger. Now, he's so much more than that and I didn't even realize when time passed by to make that happen.

Lance got me so many chocolates that I'm drowning in it. At first, I was hesitant to eat this much sugar, but all thoughts flew away when I took a bite of the chocolate bar and my stomach wept in happiness.

Caleb doesn't stop trying to sneakily grab one, and I swat his hand away, giving him a pointed look. You never take a girl's chocolate.

Somewhere in between, I blink and when I open my eyes, I realize I fell asleep. The sight that greets me nearly sends me into cardiac arrest. Instead of Lance on the floor, it's Caleb.

And he's petting Twilight on his lap.

My eyes pop wide open. I stare in horror and confusion as Caleb lets the slimy thing snuggle onto his lap as if he wasn't shit terrified of it a few hours ago.

A light weight on my feet gets my attention and I look to the side. Lance has taken Caleb's spot and he sits with one arm over the back and the other on my feet that are on his lap. He gently massages my ankles—thank god I'm wearing socks.

Caleb and him burst out laughing when something comes on the TV. He still doesn't break his slow, languid movements, easing the soreness from my feet.

"First, you're a dumbass. Now, you're a traitor." I rub the sleep from my eyes.

Caleb whips his head to look at me, his eyes wide at being caught.

"Uh...what are you talking about—oh! Ah! How did you get here? Lance, help!" Caleb picks Twilight up and holds her away from him.

The cat looks confused as she stares at Caleb.

I roll my eyes. "It's fine. I just thought we made a pact about never being cat lovers but now here you are schmoozing."

"It wasn't me. I swear! She hypnotized me and made me fall for her deep green eyes—look at how amazing these eyes look..." Caleb's voice trails away in amazement as he peers at Twilight's eyes. He quickly shakes his head. "See! She's doing it again!"

Lance chuckles. "She's not a witch, guys. She's just a cat."

"No cat is ever just a cat," I grumble. "They're all evil."

"This one especially haunts me in it's every life." Caleb points out.

Lance bends down and picks Twilight up in his arms. Before I can comprehend what he's doing, he suddenly leans closer, bringing the cat to me. My eyes widen.

"Oh hell no! Lance! I'm warning you!" I shriek, quickly scrambling to the corner of the couch, away from them.

"Oh come on." He holds the cat up so that the beast is staring right at me. "Look at her. Really look at her. Does she look evil to you?"

I look at her eyes. They're so green and deep, just like Caleb said. Her black pupils nearly expand all over, giving her this...adorable look—

I quickly shake my head.  "She's hypnotizing me!"

"She's not hypnotizing you. She's just conveying her love."

"You don't know that!"

"Of course I do."

"It's a cat, Lance!"

"Oh come on." His head appears above Twilight's and he gives me a puppy-dog look. "After all we've been through, you can't even show my cat a little affection."

"This is emotional blackmail at its finest." I narrow my eyes.

"Take it however you want. I've been such an amazing boyfriend and you can't even pet my cat?"

Uneasiness crawls over my chest. I'm not sure if he's joking or not. Lance peers at me further, somehow intensifying the pleading look on his face. What's even more creepy is the cat seems to be doing the same.

I glance at Caleb and he's secretly smiling behind his hand. Traitor.

After a few beats of hesitation, I sigh. "Fine. Just once."

Lance all but nearly jumps in happiness. The cat seems to be grinning too. Yup, totally not creepy.

Holding my breath, I lift my hand and slowly reach it out towards Twilight. Lance and her scoot forward. My heart picks up its pace as Twilight stares up at me as if challenging me to back away.

Pressing my lips together, I just do it. I go ahead and pet her head. Her fur feels soft and warm beneath my fingers. Her head's so small, I can cradle it in my palm. For a moment, I let my fingers linger, feeling more of her soft hair.

Then my brain snaps me back and I quickly snatch my hand away.

"She almost hypnotized me too!" I accuse.

"She can't hypnotize anyone. She's, like you said, just a cat."

I narrow my eyes.

Lance laughs, pulling Twilight to his face and nuzzling his nose to the side of her face. The cat purrs in contentment, and I glare in jealousy. "Maybe you guys are cat lovers deep down. An experience from one cat doesn't mean all cats are the same."

Doubt creeps into my chest the longer I stare at Twilight. She doesn't look that evil...

Nope. Nope. Nope. Don't fall for it.

Lance places her on his lap, running his hand through her back. The way he sits so relaxed with that one arm still over the back of the couch and now with a cat purring on his lap. Goddamn, he looks absolutely sexy.

His t-shirt is tight over his broad chest and his arms look like they can throw me and Caleb to the other side of the room. How is this man real? Like how?

Lance catches me staring and a sudden heat flares in his eyes. I'm not sure what caused that, but whatever did, I thank God for it. I'm this close to throwing that cat to the other side of the room and taking her place. But then there's another dumbass who had a growth spurt and now I'm too weak to pick him up anymore.

Caleb sits there, grinning at both of us, happy that Lance made me crack and pet Twilight.

I sigh, then relax on the corner of the couch, still keeping my limbs to myself, not trusting the cat to make a sudden jump at me.

The movie continues and soon enough I understand what's going on and then I'm laughing along with them.

When it's time for Lance to leave, I walk out with him to the elevator, leaving Caleb inside. The moment we're out of sight, Lance flips around and I expected that so I'm already on my toes to meet him halfway. Our lips touch and—

"MEOWWW!" 

We startle and break apart.

I scowl at Twilight in Lance's hands, and he laughs. 

"Looks like someone doesn't like sharing." He chuckles, affectionately hugging her.

I offer a tight-lipped smile while trying to maintain my cool. "Mhmm."

"Give me just a second, you cute little thing." Oh great, Lance talks to her. "I'll be right with you." Saying that, he puts the cat down, and then wraps an arm around my waist.

The cat screeches again, but this time Lance ignores her and claims my lips between his. I mentally give Twilight a smug smile, then forget all about it when Lance sweeps his tongue across my bottom lip. We kiss for a few minutes, before finally pulling away.

"How are you feeling now?" He asks, his arm still around my waist.

I nod. "Better. The chocolates and sleep helped."

He smiles. "I'm glad."

"Thank you."

He pecks my lips. "You don't have to thank me."

The cat meows again but I don't want Lance to let go of me yet. I want to remain in his arms forever and possibly die in them too. It doesn't sound too bad.

"I better get going." He says.

"Then go."

"I don't want to."

"That jealous thing over there seems to want something else."

He laughs, his fingers coming up to squeeze my chin. "Are you sure it's Twilight who's jealous?"

"One hundred percent. Listen to her trying to get your attention."

He smiles, shaking his head. "If you want, I can drop her off at home and come back."

"Please." I nod.

"See you again in thirty minutes?" He pecks me once again and if I were watching another couple do this, I'd be disgusted at how lovey-dovey they are, but now with him, it feels so comforting and just right.

"Thirty minutes." I nod, and then finally he lets me go.

✄┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈

This might've been a little bit of a filler chapter, but don't worry, the next one will have all the deeds out ;)

I started planning my next dark romance and I'm THRILLED to write it. Hopefully, it doesn't take me as long to complete it and I'll be able to share it with you guys within a year from now on!!

Words: 4,900

Date of publishing: 5th July 2024