Okay, so I promised a much better chapter this time around…Now it's up to you whether I kept that promise or not! So review and inform me of your opinion-good or bad!
I think we may have smacked some sense into Caitlyn, everyone!
Disclaimer: I own only the plot.
Chapter 9
Uncertainty caused Caitlyn to remain where she was, feet planted firmly on the hardwood floor as she watched Shane push his door open and enter the semi dark room. He didn't bother to close the door, but left it resting against the door frame.
One of her hands ran through her-she assumed it was messy-hair as Caitlyn bit her lip in indecision. She had hurt him-that much was obvious. But would it be right to tell him how she felt under these circumstances? What if he was wrong and it really was just because of the stress from everything that he thought he had feelings for her?
In only a matter of moments, her sure steps could be heard on in the hall as she reached Shane's door and slipped into his room, leaning against the wall just inside. Only a small lamp was on, leaving the room dim as Shane stood in the middle of the room, as if he was at loss of what to do with himself.
"Shane?" she whispered softly, not sure exactly what her choice had been. She'd find out soon enough, she figured. There were words she was going to speak, and it felt like she wouldn't know them until they passed her lips.
Slowly he turned to face her, his hair slightly out of place from where he must have just run his fingers through it. Shane's tie hung around his neck carelessly and Caitlyn wondered if he was debating on returning to the party after all.
His questioning gaze let her know he was waiting for her to go on but otherwise, his expression was slightly guarded. The emotion had been pushed away and hidden from her now.
"Why me?" Caitlyn surprised herself by breathing the question. The curiosity in her tone was mixed with doubt and the disbelief she felt mingled with her words, easy to distinguish.
Shane simply shrugged, eyes observing his polished shoes at her words and Caitlyn felt a twinge of disappointment that he couldn't come up with an answer. Maybe she had been right all along.
"You look tired." Was her next comment, despite it having nothing to do with their previous solemn discussion. The tension was too much for her to take, and she wanted to draw his attention away from how vulnerable she had sounded.
"I am." Shane replied shortly, pulling his tie from around his neck and tossing it carelessly across the room where it hit his dresser before slowly sliding off, onto the ground. There were still other things scattered on the floor, the room as messy as ever.
"Maybe you should go to bed and get some sleep." She suggested, eyes darting over to his digital clock where the red numbers informed her it was nearly midnight by now. She had been in the kitchen longer than it had felt.
"Maybe." He replied quietly, his eyes still not lifting to meet hers and Caitlyn shifted her weight uncomfortably. All chances of admitting her feelings had disappeared now that he couldn't answer her one question.
"Mitchie would like it if you came back, probably." Caitlyn mused thoughtfully, unconsciously taking a step closer to him and resting a hand on his arm with a forced smile. His dark brown eyes snapped to hers at the contact.
"I don't care what she would like." Shane stated bluntly, his tone almost sharp. The music downstairs was practically inaudible in his little room, but Caitlyn could hear faint laughing every now and then if it was unusually loud.
"Your mom-"
"I definitely don't care." He interrupted her, jaw tightening a moment at the beginning of Caitlyn's words. It was only a brief moment before he relaxed again and she couldn't help but to rub his arm comfortingly.
"I'm sorry about it all." She whispered, her hand sliding down his arm until the tips of her fingers were touching his palm shyly. He didn't move at all, looking completely unsure of how to react.
"It's not your fault." He muttered, turning his eyes somewhere else, but Caitlyn was slightly embarrassed to see the small flush to his cheeks. Had she caused that reaction?
"Well, I still feel badly for you," Caitlyn spoke up, clearing her throat and not struggling at all to keep her eyes from his face as she deftly unbuttoned the top three buttons on his pure white dress shirt, "I can't imagine anyone treating their son like this."
It wasn't hard to feel his eyes burning into her face, no doubt watching her every move and absorbing her words with undivided attention. Her hands were definitely beginning to shake slightly and Caitlyn asked herself with inward panic what she was doing.
"How can anyone," Caitlyn went on speaking softly, as if it did anything to draw the attention away from the work her hands were at, "treat someone like that? Shouldn't people be able to make their own decisions?"
Shane's hands flew up to still Caitlyn's the instant she had undone the last button, and he lifted one of her small hands to his face. It was impossible to keep from shivering at his soft lips brushing against her knuckles.
With pink cheeks, Caitlyn slowly let her eyes travel upward to Shane's face, feeling her embarrassment multiply considerably at his open shirt and exposed skin. Their eyes met and Caitlyn felt him release her hand, but instead of letting it fall to her side as the other had, she gripped his shirt loosely. Nervously, she rubbed her thumb over the tiny button on his shirt, taking care not to make contact with his skin.
Neither of them spoke, and Caitlyn was surprised to find herself wishing he would say something-anything-to ease the frantic and numerous butterflies in her stomach. She wished he would speak, just so she could focus her thoughts on his words rather than her situation and their close proximity.
Shane remained silent, however, other than sighing heavily and Caitlyn felt her eyes fall again. It was too hard to keep his gaze, so she stared at her hand instead, noticing how she had tightened her grip a great deal in her anxiety.
The seconds ticked by silently, and Caitlyn began wondering how long they would both remain there-each waiting for the other to be first to break the silence or widen their distance. Still neither moved.
Taking a deep, slow breath, Caitlyn bit her lower lip before loosening her hold on his shirt. Her hand had quickly gotten sweaty as she was nervous and keeping such a tight grip on the material. Her heart rate quickened at Shane's almost inaudible gasp when her fingers accidentally brushed lightly against his chest, but he didn't step away as she expected he would.
"It's getting late." Caitlyn spoke the first words that came to mind, cursing herself inwardly for always feeling the need to speak when she was embarrassed. It wasn't as if she was fooling either of them-they both new she was still standing there, fingertips barely resting on his skin.
"Yeah, but the party will still keep on for awhile, probably." At his words, Caitlyn forced herself to meet his eyes, feeling she owed that much to him at least because of her forward actions.
His gaze seemed penetrating, as if he was trying to understand the emotions behind her actions. It seemed Shane was waiting for her to apologize or at least explain, but the words wouldn't even come to mind.
"I should go." Caitlyn breathed, not knowing where she got the ability to jerk her hand away and take a full step backward. Instantly, her mind cleared more and she felt even more foolish with herself.
"You're probably tired, too." Shane's weak smile didn't meet his eyes as he slid his suit jacket off and threw it on the bed, "You've been working all day." Caitlyn didn't miss his nervously playing with the hem of his untucked dress shirt.
"Yeah." She spoke shortly, not liking the sound of her own clipped tone. Why didn't she just tell him, anyways? It was pretty obvious now that she had feelings for him.
Caitlyn found herself biting her tongue in anxiety, berating herself for not wanting to leave yet. Suddenly, she found herself dreading going home to an empty house where she would most likely all night be thinking about the person standing in front of her.
"You can go out the back door if you don't want to risk going by guests in the front room." Shane spoke up, interrupting her thoughts and Caitlyn watched him throw his shoes and socks at the foot of the bed.
"Shane-" Caitlyn couldn't go on-the instant his name had left her mouth he had turned quickly to face her and that cut off all ability to speak. Now her breathing was labored but she couldn't find the strength to take a step backward.
She closed her eyes immediately when his fingertips brushed against her cheek, his own warm breathes coming short and fast against her skin.
"Just go." He stated in a strained tone. There were several meanings behind his words.
Okay. So. You like? You dislike? I need to know. Seriously.
I'm not sure if I like this chapter or not yet (I think I do…)…if you like it (or even if you don't) I'd really like to hear (read) your input because I'm contemplating deleting this chapter………so if you like this to any degree, share your thoughts because this chapter is at risk!
(and if you haven't already, please go read "Two Rebels" I REALLY need some feedback on that oneshot. Thanks!)
(If you have the guts to say something nasty, you should have the guts to NOT review anonymous. This happened recently, and it's ridiculous to think someone can talk so rudely and NOT identify themselves…how immature… But I laughed.)
