A/N: Wow I really opened a can of worms introducing Tamsin. I certainly respect everyone's opinions and thoughts. You won't get to see too much of her until next chapter, but hopefully the little reveal here will surprise!

Thanks to you all for your fabulous reviews and comments.

Spyklv – you're reading my mind….almost!

Xymox – hope I do Boston justice! Fixed the BU situation in this chapter!

Chapter 9 - Reality bites

Once the woman exited the bar, I waited patiently for Bo to say something, anything, but she didn't. We all just stood there, seemingly frozen in time.

"Holy shitballs Bo. I cannot believe that just happened! What the hell is Tamsin doing in town anyway? And of all the times for her to be HERE, she would have to pick tonight wouldn't she". Apparently Kenzi had decided to take the bull by the horns and break the awkward silence.

Bo was still rooted to the spot, staring into space. "Bo, are you OK?" I moved to stand in front of her, grabbing both of her hands in mine. "Hey, look at me". When her eyes met mine finally, I could feel the worry coming off of her in waves.

"Are you OK?" I was asking the question to her, but I knew I was definitely not alright. I had a bad feeling about Tamsin and a deep need to know who she was and why Bo had felt the need to drop my hand when she appeared. My ability to be open emotionally was fraught with fine print, but this was Bo, so I swallowed down my own insecurities and focussed for the moment on what she needed.

"I'm so sorry Lauren. Yeah I'm OK. Can we just get out of here please?" The walk back only took 20 minutes but felt so much longer because of the still lingering silence. Bo had reached for my hand again as soon as we exited the Green Dragon and I made sure to hold it tight all the way back to the apartment.

When we were all safely inside we said goodnight and headed in our separate directions. I didn't follow Ciara to the guestroom and neither she or Kenzi had looked at all surprised when Bo led me towards her room instead.

I clicked her door closed behind us and turned back around, struck by a sense of dejavu. The memory of the time we had spent in her room at the lake house hit me. Just like that night, I felt the significance of being in her room, even more so now that we weren't alone in the apartment, that we weren't alone in the relationship. I was accountable now. If I hurt Bo, if she hurt me, we were accountable to people for that. My intentions were definitely to make her happy, but right now she was anything but and I needed to know why.

"So, Tamsin. Who is she?" I looked up at Bo expectantly but with as much patience as I could muster.

"Tamsin is…." I could see Bo thinking things through in her head, debating what she should tell me.

"Tamsin's an old friend. At least….. I think she's still my friend". The memories were practically flitting behind Bo's eyelids as she spoke. There was guilt and sadness in her eyes, like she had been the cause or part of the cause for whatever had happened with Tamsin.

"The last time I saw her, we had a huge fight about Dyson. She said some pretty shitty things to me. I deserved some of them I admit, but…" Bo moved to sit down on the bed and I followed, sitting close so our legs were touching. "I haven't seen her in months and then all of a sudden, she's standing right there in front of me." She looked up at me with uncertain eyes.

"I'm sorry. I just….it was a shock seeing her, that's all. Can we please just...can we save this conversation until after this weekend? I just want this weekend to be for us. I just want time with you and with Kenz and Ciara, together". I wanted to object, I wanted to know what the hell was going on with Bo and I wanted to know now. But I wanted to trust her, I needed to trust her.

"OK" Bo smiled up at me. "But Bo, you can talk to me you know. I'm still your friend". I smiled mischievously across at her. "A friend that likes to kiss you" I moved in to taste her lips, keeping it light and sweet. "A friend that likes to kiss you A LOT" I pressed my mouth to hers again, this time bringing my tongue out to tease her, demanding entrance. Bo's hands moved to my hair, stroking lovingly while we deepened the kiss. I was so ready for her, but felt like I needed to let Bo set the pace tonight.

I was surprised when she pulled away and stood up, offering me her hand. "Come and shower with me?" I nodded my head, taking her hand and letting her pull me up and against her. The house was silent and we followed suit, not talking when we entered the bathroom. My ears were still ringing from the loud music at the club and I could tell Bo was deep in thought. It dawned on me that this was the first time in days we didn't have to rush. I worked methodically, stripping Bo of her clothes piece by piece, peppering kisses to her body as I went. When she was naked in front of me I had to fight the urge to not take her against the wall, or on the floor or even on top of the marble vanity. Now that I had opened myself to the feelings I had for Bo, she had unlocked the passionate and sexual side of myself I had allowed to lay dormant, but I could sense it wasn't what she needed right now.

Bo kissed me again, just once, just lightly and then started the task of undressing me. She took her time, running her hands over every new patch of my skin being exposed to her. When I was finally naked with her, she pulled me into a full body hug, resting her head in the crook of my neck and sighing at the intimate contact.

I don't know how long we stayed in the shower. I was lost with her under the hot water, just touching, washing and kissing each other until we almost passed out on our feet. We took turns drying each other, brushed our hair and fell into bed, limbs entwined to the point I didn't know where I ended and she began.

Saturday, 9:45am

When my eyes opened I was hit suddenly with too many conflicting feelings to properly digest them all. My head was pounding, I was starving and dehydrated yet I felt more rested than I had in a long time. I hadn't dreamt last night, I hadn't even moved and neither had Bo. We were still entwined intimately, arms and legs resting together.

I could feel her chest rise and fall in a deep, steady rhythm against my back and I smiled in spite of myself, torn between turning over and using my lips and hands to wake her up or to let her sleep while I made breakfast. My stomach growling ultimately made up my mind for me. I lifted Bo's arm from its place on my hip, kissing her hand lightly and slipping my leg from under hers. The change in temperature hit me full force and I realised all my clothes were still in the guest room. I scanned the room awkwardly, suddenly feeling like a fish out of water. Clothes….clothes would be good right now! I moved as quietly as I could to a tall set of draws, opening them from the bottom up and pulling out a pair of red satin boxers and a black t-shirt, throwing them on. When I looked down, I smiled brightly, seeing a large skull and cross bones on the front of the shirt in stark white. Bo really did love her pirates.

I took one last long look at Bo, still fast asleep under the covers and made my way out through the silent apartment to the kitchen. The fridge was surprisingly well stocked so it wasn't hard to decide what to make for breakfast. I was famous for my omelettes back home so got to work cracking and whisking eggs with milk and cheese. I found myself running on autopilot which was strange, but it just felt so right to be here. I was flipping my omelettes like a manic, adding tomato, mushrooms and some baby spinach and of course more cheese! Just past 10am, the sun was shining high through the open double doors and I welcomed the sense of calm and belonging I felt in this moment.

"Mmmmm…..I thought I made it clear that I wanted to wake up naked with you, not wake up naked in an empty bed". I bit my bottom lip in surprise, feeling Bo nuzzling into my hair and snaking her arms around my waist from behind.

I turned to face her, pulling her tightly into me, using the kitchen island against my back as support. Bo broke away from my eyes, scanning me up and down appreciatively.

"God Lo, you in my clothes has to be the sexiest thing I have ever seen in my life. Actually on second thought I'll have to make it the second sexiest thing I've ever seen, you naked for the win every time!"

I wasn't expecting this playful side of Bo this morning. After last nights appearance of Tamsin at the club she had been so sad and conflicted and now it was the complete opposite, I felt like my head was spinning. Before I had a chance to form words I was being kissed hard.

Bo's lips were on mine, pressing and nipping with purpose, her tongue immediately seeking entrance which I willingly granted. I felt her pushing against me, willing my upper body to bend just slightly so that our hips could lock in that oh so delicious way. God it always felt too good with her, like we were custom made just for each other.

Never in my life had I been with anybody who could get me from 0 to 100, omelettes to I-need-you-inside-me-so -hard-and-so-deep-I- can't-remember-my-own-name. But that's what it felt like every time with Bo, it was magic and I couldn't get enough, I always needed more.

Just as if she had read my mind I felt her hands tracing familiar paths, ignoring the thin barriers of her clothes on me, squeezing my breasts, grazing my sensitive nipples, gripping my bare ass and finally moving to tease my now dripping wet centre with simple strokes.

"Please Bo". I felt out of control with need, the heat in my body making every nerve ending hum in anticipation.

"All I can smell is yummy floating its delectable way into my nostrils and tingling my tastebuds. I could eat a horse or maybe even a hippo right now!"

Bo froze at the sound of Kenzi's raspy morning voice coming our way. "Well, well, well, looky what we have here! Apparently it's a good morning for some. Or maybe not quite so good depending on my timing!" I could feel as well as hear the frustrated groan Bo let out, looking over my shoulder at Kenzi.

"Hey, don't blame me ladies. If you're gonna have your hands all up in the proverbial cookie jar, save it for the not so common areas!"

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes trying to ignore the ache in my centre, for now being left unsoothed. Bo discreetly removed her hands from me, giving me a gentle kiss and a silent promise of 'to be continued'. I turned to Kenzi who was thankfully on the other side of the kitchen island, sitting at the dining table with a shit eating grin.

"I got up to cook breakfast". It was an obvious statement, but honestly my brain still wasn't functioning at full capacity.

"Oh SOMETHING was cooking that's for sure". Bo and I both growled in unison at the playful taunt. Kenzi outright laughed, clearly enjoying the situation.

"Ok, ok, I surrender for now, no more teasing I promise! But i'm not sorry. If i'm not getting any, no one should be able to! Oh and Lauren, I think that ones beyond saving". I followed Kenzi's pointed finger down to the long forgotten frying pan and the now very burnt omelette.

"Shit!" I moved the pan from the stovetop quickly, sliding the burnt omelette out and wiping the pan over ready for more. "Well shit to you too Lauren. What a nice way to be greeted first thing in the morning". I looked up and smiled at a very hungover Ciara now sitting next to Kenzi at the table with her head in her hands, rubbing at her temple. I had learnt from living with Ciara that the next morning after a big night out was never a pleasant one, She DID NOT do hungover well.

For the next little while we all stayed quiet. Kenzi read the paper, Ciara messaged on her phone and Bo and I worked in unison, cooking, chopping fruit and making coffee. The atmosphere was relaxed and familiar, like this was a morning ritual we had done a million times rather than it being the first. When we had all finished eating, bellies full and buzzed with caffeine you could feel the energy and life start to return to the room. "So, you ladies still want to see good old BU?"

"Kenzi what the hell are you talking about?" Ciara looked up from her phone, clearly still wearing her morning cranky pants. I moved my hand to her arm, hoping to diffuse her a little. "Mate, she means Boston University". I looked to Kenzi, answering for us both "yes we definitely still want to see it". I had always wondered what University was REALLY like in the states. Of course I had seen all the clichéd movies set on campus with bizarre room mates and frat parties, but were they a true reflection? University in Australia is so much different. You don't generally live on campus and there are no fraternities. There are bars at the uni and organised social events and sports but nothing like the massive on campus programs here.

"As long as I get a beer at Cheers, i'm a happy camper!" We all looked up to Ciara in unison, shaking our heads and laughing at the very bad pun. "What? I loved that show. Ted Danson, Kirstie Alley, Shelley Long and Kelsey Grammar, simply 80's, simply classic!"

"Well that's the morning gone. Actually, most of the morning's already gone, so lets make it a quick trick to BU, then beers at cheers and Lo, what's it going to be, Aquarium or Zoo?" Bo turned her attention to me, holding my hand on top of the table.

"I have to go with the Zoo if that's OK with you guys? I've read a little about the Gorilla family and interactive habitat at Franklin Park and would love to check it out". Bo smiled at me, studying me closely. "You get all excited and animated when you talk about animals, it's adorable!"

"Oh barf! Enough with the cuteness. Bring on cheers already!" Kenzi stood up, swinging her finger between Bo and I for emphasis before heading off in the direction of her room.

"Lauren, grab your bag from the guest room and bring it into mine". I was just about to stand from the table but was stopped by Ciara, grabbing my hand and shaking her head. "Oh I don't think so Bo. You two trying to get undressed and then dressed in the same room, that's not going to work and you know it. Lauren, you're coming with me. Bo, you're a big girl, i'm sure you can dress yourself!"

Saturday, 5:45pm

"Bo, my feet are killing me dude. Please for the love of everything leather, help me get these damn boots off!"

We all practically fell into the apartment, flopping down on the couch from exhaustion. Bo had a solid hold on Kenzi's boot, putting her whole body weight into the action of pulling it off. "Kenz, why do you always do this to yourself? We were going to a damn Zoo but still you had to wear high heels!"

"Well I didn't remember Franklin Park being so tiring". Bo collapsed into me on the couch after finally extracting the second boot from Kenzi's foot. "That's because the last time you went there you were 10 and you had a very patient nanny who pushed you around in one of those carts painted like different animals all day!"

"My dear Bo Bo, a fine point you make! Seriously though Lauren, the Zoo was fun, especially with you commentating the whole way around. That brain of yours is full of fun and wonderful shit like habitats and feeding patterns of all things slithery through to flappy. I had a great day".

I moulded myself further into Bo, smiling in relief at being able to finally sit down. "Yeah sorry about that. Once I got started I couldn't stop my brain from firing off all the little bits of Info I had stored away. Seeing all the animals just made me want to travel. It's one of the best things about being a vet. In every different country there are different animals to treat and study".

"Speaking of travelling. You guys need to come to London. If Troy eventually does propose and I accept, you're all invited to the wedding!" I turned to face Ciara, wondering out loud.

"So does this mean you ARE going to say yes when he asks? I thought you still hadn't decided".

"I've decided that i've been overthinking things. Normal people don't get this much time to debate it, they just get it sprung on them and go with whatever answer feels right at the time, so that's what i'm going to do".

I felt envious of the freedom Ciara had. I wasn't sure what would happen between Bo and I at the end of the summer but whatever it was, would have to be carefully considered, calculated and decided in advance, nothing could simply be left to chance.

"I'm thinking pre marriage proposal celebrations are in order. So I'm thinking pizza, i'm thinking home delivered, i'm thinking red wine and i'm thinking in the Jacuzzi!" At Kenzi's suggestion, Bo was up off the couch in a flash, running quickly to the guest room to grab my bag and then pulling me up from the couch towards her room, leaving no time for Kenzi and Ciara's amused expressions.

Saturday, 6:30pm

I cringed watching another piece of pepperoni fall into the Jacuzzi from the extra large slice of pizza Kenzi was shovelling into her face. We were all on to our second glass of red wine and combining that with the beer from earlier, things were starting to get messy.

"I know what you're thinking Lo. It's not hygienic, but you must admit it's damn fun in here!" I smiled at Bo's ability to read me so well. "Yeah it is fun! It just freaks me out every time I see a piece of deli meat bobbing up from the bubbles".

I looked across at Ciara who was lounging in the far corner of the Jacuzzi, submerged except for the top part of her neck and her head, glass of wine dangling haphazardly over the steaming water. She was giggling like crazy at everything. I had never seen her drink wine before and it was proving to be an entertaining exercise.

We relaxed in the Jacuzzi until the pizza and wine were gone and we were all pruning under the cover of darkness and a blanket of stars in the Boston sky. We didn't bother getting dressed; the weather was really warm even at night, so we simply wrapped towels around our wastes and moved back into the apartment to continue our little party.

Bo cracked another bottle of wine that I noticed with keen interest she didn't drink any of. However she made sure to keep Kenzi and Ciara's glasses filled at all times. She kept smiling at me warmly, eyes sparkling with mischief as we chatted about life, past and present and it didn't take me long to catch on to her plan. Getting the pair of them all boozed up would ensure an early night and more time for Bo and I to be together.

I watched in rapt interest as Bo was trying to guess what the hell Kenzi was drawing. "Man? BIG man? muscles, hair? Kenzi what the freaking hell is that?"

"Sorry guys, the little hourglass here has run out of sand!" Ciara was still giggling, studying the hourglass she held in her hand like it was some kind of rare treasure.

"Damn Bo, you are sooooo bad at Pictionary! I was drawing handsome, the word was HANDSOME".

"I am NOT bad at Pictionary! YOU are a bad drawer, especially when you've had too much wine! That is a stick figure with long hair, huge muscles and a firehose for a penis!"

"Yeah and what's not handsome about that?" Bo grabbed Kenzi in a hug, kissing her lightly on the cheek. "You're one of a kind Kenz, never change!" In that moment I thought of Nicole and how much I missed her.

Saturday, 9:00pm

I stood in Bo's room, staring out of the full length window at Boston City, lost in my thoughts. It felt surreal being here. When I was at home, i'd sometimes lie awake at night and think about places I wanted to visit and things I wanted to do. Now I was here, in one of those places and doing the things i'd dreamed about and all I could think of was home.

So much had changed, I had changed, inside. I wondered when my mum and dad or Karen or Nicole saw me again would they be able to tell I was different? When I got home, would the world there now feel different to me? I sighed and rubbed at my eyes. I was just overtired and thinking too much as usual.

I smiled when I heard the door click quietly closed, but I didn't turn around. In a manner of seconds I felt Bo's damp bikini covered breasts press into my back, her hands resting on my bare stomach.

I leaned my head back on her shoulder, content with the close contact. Bo moved my hair to the side, kissing my neck softly, her hands unfolding the towel around my waste and dropping it to the floor. I lifted my head back up and went to turn around only to be stopped by strong arms, holding firmly to my hips. "Stay. Enjoy the view while I enjoy you".

My eyes focussed on the city below, but the rest of my body was fine tuned to the lips and tongue making love to my neck and shoulders. People continued to walk and run past but they soon blurred as the heat in my body rose and my heart began to pump faster and faster, belonging now to Bo.

Her lips never stopped kissing me as her hands gently untied the feeble bow holding my bikini top on. God how I wanted those lips to be on my now exposed breasts, licking and sucking, but they never came. Instead they stayed on course, back up on my neck now sucking and biting lightly, driving me crazy with need.

Bo's hands were moving again, this time grabbing the thin string on both sides of my bikini bottoms, pulling with urgency, wanting to free the rest of my body to her. Finally those hands blazed to my front, lifting both of my breasts, rubbing and flicking my sensitive nipples while continuing the assault on my neck.

"God you're beautiful Lauren". I felt myself growl and my body sway slightly, Bo's voice in my ear turning me on even more. I moved my right hand up, covering her own on my breast and guiding it down to my heat, desperate for her touch. "So beautiful and so fucking wet".

My body buckled with the intensity of her fingers, slowly dipping into me before circling my throbbing clit. "Just for you". I bit my lip, willing the words to come out. "I told you that you were mine Bo. But i'm yours too. I'm yours if that's what you want".

All contact and movement ceased and I felt tears spring to my eyes from the loss. Bo turned me to face her, her eyes a dangerous mixture of wonder, fear and grace. "I want that Lauren. I want you. I think i've always wanted you, even when I didn't know you". I smiled and kissed her urgently. It had been two days since I'd had her inside of me fully and that was long enough.

My hands busied themselves, peeling the bikini from her body and guiding her to the bed. Once our naked bodies made full contact, I felt something shift between us. Everything felt even more intense if that was even possible, like our bodies were boldly etching the declaration we hadn't yet found the nerve to voice.

I threw my head back, sinking deeply into the pillow just as my hips rose to take Bo's fingers fully inside me. I couldn't tell how long we moved for, unaware of anything except the need to soothe the building ache. I could feel my walls start to tighten around Bo and the muscles in my legs start to shake but I wanted to hold on, I wanted to feel Bo cum with me. I let my fingers dig into her ass and pushed my thigh firmly against her wetness, encouraging her to move harder and faster against me. That was all she needed and our mouths joined together again, swallowing the screams of pleasure before collapsing in a heap of sweaty, satisfied limbs.

Sunday, 9:30am

Why did I always have to wake up before Bo? Actually I was never one to sleep in. As soon as my eyes were open that was it, the day had started. I should be tired, physically and emotionally but I just felt buzzed. Looking across at the giant neon numbers from the alarm clock, ticking to 9:30am I smiled in satisfaction. I knew we had to get up soon, get dressed and get to the Red Sox game. I'd already been awake for half an hour, just waiting patiently, but now the time had come for a special wake up call.

Bo was flat on her back, such a perfect position, so I lifted the covers slowly off her upper body only, tracing lightly around her nipples and watching in fascination as they became larger and flushed pink. I was so wrapped up in my study that I didn't notice her eyes start to flutter and then open. "Goodmorning Lo. FINALLY I get to wake up naked with you. It was definitely worth the wait".

"Mmmmm...thanks I think! and goodmorning to you too! We have to get up soon. I heard Kenz and Ciara banging bowls around in the kitchen a little while ago but I don't think either of them would be game enough to walk in here". I smiled and moved to cover her body with my own, the contact reigniting the ever present fire between us.

Sunday, 6:00pm

They had to wait a little longer for us, but eventually we did make it to the game and we had a blast. Baseball was my new favourite sport and I was definitely a Red Sox girl, I even had one of Bo's old Sox shirts on to prove it. The day flew by far too quickly though and I couldn't believe it as we pulled up outside the Dal, looking to live every second of our free weekend to the fullest.

"Ciara, Lo, are you sure you guys are fine for a little while? We'll just go refuel the beast here and be back in 20 minutes or so". I threw my arm around Ciara and started to walk towards our usual table around back. "Maybe I should stay too Kenz". I looked back towards Bo and smiled but Kenzi was having none of it. "Oh no you won't. I've had to put up with you two going at it like rabbits all weekend. You're coming with me".

Trick had been happy to see us, wanting to hear all about the weekend and eager to get stats from the Sox game. Turns out he is a major baseball fan and used to take Bo to all the games when she was a kid. We had just ordered a round of shots, Danny who was Trick's right hand barman was flipping the bottles around, having some fun with it until we saw and heard a large crowd of Romanac campers entering the bar, including Dyson.

He locked his eyes on me and I couldn't pick one emotion out of the jumble, there were too many being projected. Ciara grabbed the tray of shots and motioned for us to leave. "Lauren, lets go". I turned, but I didn't move. "You go. I'll meet you out there". Ciara nodded and left but I could see the worry etched on her face.

There were so many things I wanted to say to Dyson. I wanted to tell him that I understood what he was feeling, that i'd been there. I wanted to believe that he was a good person, that he was just hurting. Most of all I wanted to gage if he was sorry for kissing me, if he was sorry for trying to project his hurt onto Bo. God what was I thinking? I couldn't say any of those things to him, I didn't even know him. This time I did move, I started to walk slowly but I didn't get far. I heard Dyson's gruff voice saying my name and I couldn't help myself. I turned to face him.

"Did you have a good time in Boston?" The shock must have been evident on my face but he continued on.

"You're glowing, so i'm sure you had yourself a GREAT time". Questions were forming thickly in my mind. How the hell did he know about the weekend?

"Excuse me?" He looked at me smugly, again continuing earnestly.

"I know all about you and Bo. I believe you ran into my sister, Tamsin". This time I knew the shock was written all over me. Why hadn't Bo told me? I still hadn't uttered a word to Dyson and I didn't think I wanted to, I didn't think I could.

"She used to make me glow like that too. She makes you feel special, makes you believe that you're going to be together, but Bo's in love with the magic and that's all. When it gets too serious, when it gets too normal, she bails. I guess you won't have to worry about that though. She knows she can have her little fantasy for the summer and then you'll be packing your bags and heading home and she'll be moving on again". I could feel the dull anger and hurt radiating from him. He looked at me, trying to read me.

"You don't believe me". It was a statement more than a question. Whether I wanted to hear this or not, he was going to tell me. "She slept with me you know, after we broke up. I spent months trying to understand why she didn't want to be with me, months trying to be whatever she wanted. Then one night she comes to me and wants me. The truth is, Bo doesn't know what she wants".

I really didn't want to believe what he was telling me. I could feel all my insecurities starting to rise to the surface and gain strength. Bo had asked me if this was real, if we were real? I had answered with a yes and that was my truth. But was it hers? Was any of it real?

"Dyson! What the hell are you doing?" Kenzi's voice pulled me out of my thoughts. When I looked at Bo, her head was down, she wouldn't make eye contact with me.

"Nice one Bo. I had to hear about your latest..." I could see Dyson swallowing down the words he really wanted to use to describe Bo and I."I had to hear about I from Tamsin". He downed a shot quickly and brushed passed me on his way out of the Dal.

"Lauren?" Bo was now looking at me, eyes sad and guilty. Kenzi was still here and Ciara had just come back inside, but I didn't care. I wanted some answers and I wanted them now.

"Why didn't you tell me about Tamsin, who she really is?"

"I'm so sorry Lauren. I swear to you that I was going to. I knew something like this would happen and I didn't want to ruin our weekend".

"You promised me that you would always be honest with me, brutally honest. But that's bullshit Bo. You're only honest to the degree that it suits you".

"That's not true Lauren" Bo was moving towards me desperately but I put my hand up to block her.

"Did you sleep with Dyson? After you had broken up, did you sleep with him?" I saw the shock hit Kenzi's face at the question. Clearly this was something she hadn't known.

"Yes". The absolute look of regret that washed over Bo's face made me want to reach out and hug her, but the sickness and hurt I felt made that impossible. She started to sob and reached out desperately to me again.

"Don't touch me Bo. Just don't. God I'm such an idiot. You don't have a clue what you want, but it sure as hell isn't me, isn't us".

"Lauren please. I do want you, I want us so much, please believe me. I…" I could see the words she had wanted to say and it made me furious.

"Don't say it Bo. Don't you dare say it".

I could see Bo break and the sight broke me as well. But I didn't turn back; I just kept walking straight out of Dal.

END CHAPTER NINE