Chapter 18 (Andrew's POV)
I woke up with a warm body next to me.
It took me only a few seconds to remember it was Vicky.
At the realization, I relaxed. To be honest, I can't remember the last time I woke up in bed with a woman and didn't try to run away as fast as my feet could carry me.
I suddenly heard my keurig starting in the kitchen and knew my mom was already up, most likely waiting for me to wake up and tell her how yesterday went.
I smiled to myself at the thought. My mother was not a patient woman.
I was thinking about staying in bed with Vicky for a few more minutes and letting her steam but decided against it when I remembered she would probably wake my sleeping beauty as well in the procces.
So I moved away from her slowly and stood up. I looked for shorts and a T-shirt and went to the kitchen to grab myself a coffee since I was already awake.
I just got to the kitchen, but as expected, mother was anxious to know everything. And surprisingly (not really) she was on me as soon as I stepped foot inside my kitchen.
"Tell me everything, and you better not leave anything out or I swear to God I will disown you!"
I laughed at her antics, because no matter what I knew, I could always count on her. She was my best friend, aside from Knox.
"Now mom, you know I don't want to scar you for life with my night between the sheets." I winked at her and turned to get myself a cup of coffee.
Because of my remark, I got a slap on the arm which I faked hurt me.
"You know I'm not talking about that. Get your mind out of the gutter. Knox came by about an hour ago and he told me your girl has a mean punch, but he didn't elaborate, he just laughed and told me to wait for you to wake up. And I did. Now that your awake, spill!"
" There's not much to tell mom. Rick was his usual self. Drunk and annoying and he thought he could intimidate Vicky into running away from me, so Shawna could get me back. As if I was ever hers to begin with. But what he didn't count on was that my girl could defend herself. She punched him and broke his nose in the process."
She looked shocked but surprisingly happy. She wasn't really keen on violence, but it seemed like she didn't mind it much in this scenario.
"Good. Now maybe that i***t will get it through his head to mind his own business."
I could agree with that, but I also knew that Rick was a dangerous man and, most of all, he was a sneaky bastard. I would have to keep a close eye on Vicky if I wanted to keep her safe.
"Now tell me, did she have fun? Well, aside from meeting that douchebag. I can't think of anyone that would think meeting him was fun."
"Yeah mum she did. But her ex really did a number on her. He didn't let her wear anything nice or sexy when she went out with him, she wasn't allowed to drink alcohol in public and who knows what other b******t he fed her."
"You are serious? What is wrong with people these days? Such a nice woman just had to find an a*****e like that. Well, I am glad she now has you. You can show her what real love is like and how a lady should be treated."
Her words shocked me. But what shocked me even more was the fact that the word love didn't send me into a panic attack. But anyway, it was a no go for me. No love. Sure, I cared for her, but I couldn't love anyone.
"Mom, you know I don't do love. Sure, she is an amazing girl and I care for her deeply, but I could never love anyone again. Not after you know who."
She looked at me with eyes full of doubt.
"You know, for someone as smart as you are, sometimes you can be really stupid. You can't see what's right in front of you. Sure that s**t hurt you and betrayed you, but that doesn't mean everyone will. I thought I taught you better. Never judge a book by it's cover. Not that there is anything to judge when it comes to Vicky. From what you've told me about her and what I've seen, that girl is pure gold on the inside and outside. And I can see how you look at her. You adore her. And guess what? Adoration and love are only one step apart."
I knew she was right. But I simply couldn't let myself fall for anyone. Especially someone as perfect as Vicky. I would f**k things up sooner or later and she would leave me for someone else. And that was the pain I was not willing to feel ever again.
"I just can't, mom. And besides, she is only here for a few more days. Then what? Should we try long distance? You know she lives on the other side of Europe. Or should one of us pack our lives and leave it all behind?"
She was just staring at me and I could see she was begging me with her eyes to give it a try.
I sighed deeply and went to get myself one more cup of coffee.
"Sorry mom, but I can't. Vicky is just not the right woman for me. She'll make someone really happy one day, but that someone won't be me."
Words I said spiked a fire inside me. Even the thought of Vicky with someone else made me see red. But I knew my words were the honest truth. No matter how hurtful they were.
"I'll go get some work done. If you could keep Vicky and Amy company while I'm out I would be really grateful."
She just nodded her head, defeated because she knew I wouldn't look at things her way.
I turned towards the front door when her words stopped me in my track momentarily.
"One day, you will lose her, and that day you'll remember my words. That woman is a perfect match for you. She keeps you on your toes and, if I saw right, she already loves you more than just a friend. And when you break her heart, you won't be any better than her ex. Because in the end you will only use her and throw her aside."
I closed my eyes at the pang in my heart her words caused. She was right. I was no better than her ex.
I forced my feet into motion and walked out the door.
The only difference between me and her ex was that he never cared about her, but I did. So I knew, when our time came to an end, the right thing to do was let her go.