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When we reached the motel, Cole chose to park a good distance away.

"Sorry for making you walk," he apologized, "I have a bit of claustrophobia."

Knowing what position he was in, I found this hard to believe. He was constantly attending meetings and spoke in front of big groups.

"Really?" I asked in disbelief.

Cole unbuckled, turning to face me.

"Why do you sound so surprised?"

I shrugged. "I don't want to sound condescending, but I've seen you during the staff meetings. There are a few hundred of us. You're so calm and collected."

Cole chuckled. "It's more of a habit. You should have seen me in grade school; I couldn't turn in assignments to save my life. I was such a chicken. I practiced forming this mask."

I blew a breath out. "I really couldn't imagine not turning in my assignments. I wouldn't have been able to let my parents down."

Cole shook his head, smiling. "How are you even real?"

It went silent for a moment until I cleared my throat.

"I should go."

Cole seemed to have come back to reality.

"Oh- right. Let me walk you to the front."

When we had finally made it to the sidewalk, Cole dug his hands in his pockets, looking like he had something else to say. I remained silent, waiting for him to continue.

"I just wanted to make sure that you're alright," He said, "You were passed out for a while and the situation with the cops was a lot to take in. I mean, I can't fathom what life is like is for you- I mean... I'm sorry. I don't mean to pry."

I couldn't help but giggle at this. He was so awkward.

"I'm really okay. I'm slowly accepting my reality and there's not really anything I can do about it. I appreciate you checking up on me."

"Of course," Cole breathed, "You have to know I'll be here, whether it be as your boss or just a... confidant."

I nodded, looking off to the side. Staring up at him now was somehow much harder to do. This was happening more often with him.

As my eyes searched the sidewalk, I suddenly noticed boxes with some familiar items. Those couldn't have been my boxes, could they?

Maybe I needed to call Tawnee and see if the company had made payments for the day.

Cole then smiled, accepting this was all he would be getting from me. Then, in a more friendly gesture, he massaged my arms like a loving father would have done.

"I'm just glad you're okay." He finished.

I was about to thank him when Cole was lifted off his feet.

Out of nowhere, Hero came storming up, lifting him by his patchy jacket, slamming him against the motel's hard walls, with much more force than he had shown with Brendan.

He really didn't like him.

"Don't fucking touch her!" Hero screamed, looking like he was prepared for a fight. "I'm going to wire your damn mouth shut!"

He slammed Cole against the wall a few more times, making me realize just how pissed he was.

"Hero!" I gasped, pulling at the leather on his jacket. "Why the hell are you doing this? Let him go!"

Hero turned to look at me, murder evidently on his mind.

"This mother-fucker put his hands on you!"

I stared deeply into his eyes, trying my best to knock some sense into him.

"It's not what you think! He was simply wishing me luck!"

"By touching you all over your body?" He scoffed.

"Please don't do this now!" I begged. "He's my boss! I need this job!"

Pondering on his decisions for a moment, Hero dropped cole on the ground, letting him stumble his way to his car.

When we were left alone, Hero still looked pretty mad.

"What is the matter with you?" I demanded, glowering at him. "You're being a jerk- no more than a jerk- I can't even tell you how messed up that was!"

"Are you kidding me?" Hero snapped. "I was protecting you! I couldn't let him do that! He was touching what was mine!"

I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

"I'm not your property, Hero."

He ran his hands through his hair. "Fuck! That's not what I meant!"

I rolled my eyes. "Then, what did you mean?"

He went silent for a moment, staring at me.

"When he touches you... I'm reminded of my past... I can't help but feel that you're going to be calling for help and I won't be here."

Oh no. This I hadn't expected.

I approached his face with a hand, finally noticing the scrapes and bruises; they were purple and blood had dried on the corner of his lip.

"Oh my god, what happened to your face?"

Hero yanked away as I made contact.

"It's nothing-"

"Damn it, that's not nothing!" I shouted. "Tell me now!"

"Fine!" He spat out. "I went to the frat."

A sudden pain hit my chest, making me think the worst.

"Why?"

Hero sighed. "I had a few things to pack up. I saw Luke there. He said some things about you and I fucked him up."

I shut my eyes, not wanting to think about what could have been said.

"Hero... You can't always be there to protect me."

"I want to be." He whispered.

Who was I kidding? I couldn't stay mad at this man.

I took a minute to assess his wounds.

"Let's go up to my room."

Hero groaned. "After I brought all your things out here?"

I looked at the boxes. So those were my things.

I huffed. "Why would you do that?"

"Because it's ridiculous that you're staying here when you have a place to stay. With me."

I nearly pulled my hair out at this.

"You can't just do things without thinking. My company already paid for another night. I have to contact them and let them know."

"Fine," Hero groaned. "I'll bring it inside."

When Hero and I had finally made it to my room after speaking with the front desk, I made quick work of wetting a hand towel. When I set it on his lip, he yanked away, cursing.

"Could you sit still?" I asked.

"It burns!" He hissed.

"Well, I don't have control over that," I pointed out, "I'm sure if you can handle getting piercings, this won't be so terrible."

After grumbling, Hero eventually allowed me to press the towel over his skin. He winced a time or two, but for the most part, behaved.

"I really like doing this with you," I murmured after a while.

Hero raised an eyebrow. "Doing what?"

I looked into his eyes.

"Doing things for you so intimately. It creates a connection between us."

Hero's eyes softened. "Only for you, would I do this."

Yeah.

Hero did not see Diedre 😭

Sorry to keep you all in suspense.

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