BROKEN (Sequel to Behind The Lights)

We're going to be okay

"You lying little rat" he teases, smacking me on the bum and I let out a slight screech.

We're seated at the table and we're done with our store bought dessert, now sipping wine and just resting in each other presence. I propped my legs on his lap under the table as his warm hands caresses my leg.

"Are you excited about working with the guys tomorrow." I ask him.

"Nuh, I'm more excited I get to spend a few days with you." He says, with a a half smile like something was bothering him.

"What's on your mind?" I ask.

"Do you really like living here?" He randomly ask back as his eyes dart around my house.

"What do you mean?" I question. Slightly confused by his random question.

"Malibu, here all by yourself. Do you really like living here?" He ask, gesturing to my house.

"Well, it's quiet, and safe, compared to Santa Monica." I say. "Heh, babe, everywhere is safer, compared to Santa Monica." We both laugh a little cause it's kind of true. The only part of that town I felt safe was my apartment complex.

"Beverly Hills is just as quiet you know." He says and I frown a little. Beverly Hills sounds amazing, but it's way too pricey for me to splurge on a home there, when I had just done that here in Malibu.

In between Zac and I, he definitely makes a lot more money than I do, but that's also because he's been in this industry longer than me and has had bigger success than I have. So someone like him can have houses in every different town.

"Ha.. I can't live in Beverly Hills, it's way too Richie Rich for me and plus, babe... I already have a house, here and I'm not going to sell this and buy another one, way more expensive." I tell him.

"I had a feeling you'd say that... I was not gonna ask you to get a house there." He says looking at me, all googly eyed. "I was gonna ask you to move in with me." He says and I take a moment to just register what he'd said. I did not see that coming and we've never even talked about living together, like ever.

I immediately pull my legs away from him, sitting up. I mean the last time I moved in with a guy was Jason and the thought of how that went down and how controlling he was over me, made me shudder.

"Hey, you okay?" He ask, pulling me out of my thoughts. He pulls his chair closer to mine as he leans close to me, resting his palms on my thighs.

"You don't have to give me an answer immediately, but I would love it if I got to share a place with you. A place that's ours. A place where I feel at home every time I come back... you are my home Jess." He says. Making me melt instantly.

I wanted to just say yes but a move like this is something I really need to think about. I mean, I love Zac but leaving my comfort place and moving into his territory where everything I know is connected to only him?

"Tell me what are you thinking." He says, as he gently tucks a curl of mine behind my ears.

"I don't know, I mean... I just need sometime to think about this. I love you, but I still want to be my own independent self."

"And moving in with me would make you less independent?" He ask, with a confused look on his face.

I bite the inside of cheek as I begin to sense tension rising. "Will I pay rent?"

"Of course not! You're my girlfriend, not housemate."

"So if I'm not paying rent, what am I bringing to the table?" I ask. The whole, you're my girlfriend you don't pay for anything, can really backfire badly and I can't risk my current security.

"You're bringing your sexy self, your clothes, and I guess you can bring that mirror over there." He jokes.

"Zac I'm serious, if I lived with you, what will I be contributing? Bills?" I ask him.

"No!" He says firmly.

"So I don't pay rent or pay any bills. But this is going to be my place too?"

"Well, you can pay for groceries if you want." He says, leaning back into his seat. Firstly, with our jobs, we're hardly ever at home, so what groceries was he talking about?

I knew he wasn't taking me seriously. I would like the thought of living with Zac but what if something went wrong and we fought and he kicks me out? We're not married, I have no rights over his place. I mean Zac and I have come a long way, but this is still Zac.

Impulsive, sometimes a brat, can be very demanding. He's Zac.

"I don't know... I'll think about it." I say, feeling really unsure about this.

"Hey", he leans forward, pulling my chair extremely close to him, till I'm facing him. He slowly caress my cheek and tilt my chin up to look at him.

"What are you really concerned about?" He ask in his deep raspy voice. I look into his piercing green eyes and they were warm and comforting and I realize how much I really missed him and didn't like the idea of being away from him.

"Are we going to be okay?" I ask him, wanting assurance that if we did this, it won't break us.

"Of course we're going to be okay, why wouldn't we Jess?" He ask. His voice sounding a little desperate.

"I mean, we fight a lot." I remind him.

"But don't you think we're so much better now? We don't fight anymore." He says.

"True, but that's cause we don't see each other often."

"So what are you saying? We work better as a couple if we were far from each other?" He ask, slightly annoyed. As he stands up and walks away from me, heading into the kitchen.

"Please hear what I'm saying.... I want us to be okay, I only fear being in the same place together, and me living under your roof..."

"Our roof" he corrects me.

"That's the thing Zac, it's our roof now, but what if you get mad at me about something, it won't be our roof anymore, you'll probably kick me out."

"Jess, are you kidding me."

"You did leave me at a coffee shop once remember." I remind him

"Jess, if you're going to constantly bring up shit from the past over and over again to haunt me, we're not going to work. And I did send someone to comeback for you that time, but you were gone." He's clearly extremely annoyed right now

"Have I not shown you I've changed? What else do I have to do?" He questions throwing his hands up in defeat.

I walk up to him wrapping my arms around his torso, taking him by surprise. I drown my head into his chest inhaling his scent that always makes me feel so calm and safe. I let out a loud sigh and look up into his eyes.

"Just promise me we're going to be okay." I say.

He leans down and places a kiss on my lips and says "we're going to be okay baby."

"And if we get into a fight, what happens?" I had to ask.

"Then I'll be the one to leave instead of you. That house is yours." He says.

"I want this on paper" I say as a wide smile spread across my face.

"I'm starting to think you just want my house."

"It's Beverly Hills baby." I tease as I walk away smugly

~The End~

If you like this type of stories, I have another better written one, called Her Fear Of Falling Again I wrote Behind these lights when I was pretty young and cringe, but the next book was written more recently and is a little more mature and well written. I hope you check it out. And thank you for supporting my amature writing. :)