We were all sitting in the kitchen. Everyone was around the table. I just finished telling everyone about how Astrid was last night. And about what just happened. About Hunter.
The whole time, Josh ran his hand up and down my back. His caring and the gentle motions he made towards me, made we want to fall into his arms and cry. But everyone was there, that would be so inappropriate. But he still would take my hand kiss it. Then drop it back gracefully onto the table. Then, he would run his hand up and down my back, bringing me back to that day at the spa. This brought me back to coming home from the spa. To find Astrid weeping, and Trey as mad as hell. This brought me to the reason why that happened. Hunter. This brought me to what had just happened. It's confusing. I hated feeling this way. So violated somehow, even though nothing happened. So scattered, lost. Even though it was kind of an attempt to rape. I tried to shake the feelings off though. I had to.
"I'm so sorry, Reed." Mrs. Hollis would say. And now and then, she would have some tears forming in the back of her eyes. She would quickly shoo them away with a sniff. And Josh's dad would look over to make sure she was ok. Like the way Josh was looking at me, right now. Exactly like the way Josh was looking at me, right now. But much more intense. I wondered if anyone else noticed.
"He's horrible." Lynn said I could see the steam coming off him. He stood up, causing his chair to push back. Gia looked up at him worried. Her black-brown hair falling over her shoulders. "We should have never let him come back, after what happened two years ago. After what he did to me." He said then he roared, "After what he did to Gia!"
"Lynn! Calm down. We know," Mrs. Hollis, snapped, "We know how horrible he is now. We know. There is no reason to get upset." She tried her best to keep her voice steady. I could tell. Then she let the tears flow down her lightly wrinkled face. I know that this had hit her a lot too.
"Maybe..." Mr. Hollis dropped his watch onto the table. Causing a bang to cover the room. He put but his index finger, and thumb so they where in between his eyebrows. He pulled the skin, causing his eyebrows to get closer. "Maybe, we should just go to sleep. We're all in a horrible mood now. I don't want any fights starting." He looked up at Lynn when he said the last part. Lynn sighed, and pushed his chair into the table.
"I guess we'll get going then." He took Gia's hand she let go of it. She walked over to me.
"I'll call you Reed." She smiled. I got up and gave her a big hug. She let go and gave me a weak smile before turning back to Lynn. He wrapped his arms around her this time when they left. Josh and I stayed at the table with his parents.
"I'll see you two later, if you want, we can all go somewhere. I know that you're going to want to, you know, not be around Hunter. So I figured that we would just get out of the house for a while." Mrs. Hollis suggested.
"I would love to." I said my tears made my smile tight. But I forced it to be a big one. Mrs. Hollis smiled back and gave me a firm hug before she left with Mr. Hollis.
I was finally alone with Josh. He looked down at me.
We where standing in the middle of the foyer. He looked into my eyes. He was longing for something. I was trying to read what. I couldn't though. My head was just buzzing with too much. I couldn't take it. So instead, I asked him.
"What's wrong?"
"I just, should of..." He trailed off, looking at the door. "I should have gotten there sooner. Then you wouldn't have to experience that. And I just... It's just more for me to think about.... Another guy for me to... picture you with." He was having trouble speaking his mind. Like he was trying not the hurt my feelings or something. "I can't... I don't know. I just can't think anymore. But, I'm so happy I threw that punch at him.... It let out... some of my anger. But, not all." He finally looked at me.
I started to let tears fall now. Then I was gasping for breath, he wrapped me quickly into him arms. I pressed my face into his chest and cried. I couldn't control myself. But I didn't feel embarrassed. Josh sat me down on the couch in the sitting room. Tell him quietly it was all right. Trying to shush my tears. I was still against his chest. It seemed to be pitch black outside. I sniffed.
"Let's get you upstairs." Josh whispered. Then she picked me up bridal style and carried me up the wood stairs. He still tried to get me to calm down as I drifted to sleep in his arms. But he never showed any sign of irritation.
We finally made it to the bedroom. I erased all scenes from Hunter in my mind. Well, at least tried to. I breathed in Josh's scent through my stuffed up nose. He set me down on the bed. My jeans were getting to be extremely uncomfortable. I forced myself up and changed. I forced myself to brush my teeth and wash my face.
I finally got into bed 10 minutes later. Josh came in a short while after me. I was turned the other way, but I felt his body weight come on the bed. Then the light on the night stand clicked off. I turned to face him and got lost in his arms. He tightly embraced me. I loved the feel of his strong muscles against my arms. It felt as if he would never let go of me. I placed my head on his chest.
"He said I didn't love you." Josh said in a disgusted voice. I didn't look up at him, but ran my hand from over his chest to his back. And pulled him to me. He held me tighter. He was wearing his blue plaid boxers and a thin white tank top. It was warm up here. I was wearing long shorts in sweat form, and a plain old blue t-shirt. I ran my hands up and down his back as he did to me earlier.
"I know it's a lie." I finally replied. "I know you love me with all of your heart."
He kissed my head. But I wanted a real kiss from him, so I pulled my chin up and kissed him urgently. But lovingly at the same time. I pulled myself up so we where at eye level. My hand went on his cheek and his on my elbow. The other on my cheek. My other hand was still on his back.
"Reed." Josh pulled away and kissed me again. "You have to promise me something." Then he gave me another kiss. The room became much hotter than it was before.
"What's that?" I asked and kissed him.
"Don't ever leave me. I know it sounds needy. But, I love you too much. And if you ever broke my heart again, I don't think I could ever live." He said seriously, I could see it in his eyes.
"Again?" I asked. Slightly confused. I stopped kissing him and looked into his eyes. His looked was crossed between sad and regret from saying that.
"You know… with Dash…" He trailed off.
I shook my head, as to show him that would never happen again. But he did nothing he just sat there, still. I didn't find this shocking. And I think we both knew what the answer was.
"I would never think of it." I said strongly.
Then I kissed him again. That turned into a little bit more. I didn't want to stop touching him. I loved the feel of our bodies pressed up together like this. Like we could be like this forever. For the rest of our lives. And I knew we could. I would have no problem marrying Josh. And having his children. I had no problem what so ever. It's more like a thing I long for. But I know I will get it.
We finally stopped before things could get too serious. I didn't really want that tonight. Not after what happened. We rolled onto our backs at the same time and for a while, just stared up at the ceiling. I didn't know what to say, what to do. That long, long kiss really summed it up. Josh looked over at me. Then finally placed me back into his arms. We were back to where we were before. I had my hands on his back, and his on mine. Pulling each other closer to one another.
"I love you, Reed." He said that night, just before I feel asleep.
"I love you too, Josh." I whispered back with a faint smile. "I always will."
Then, I finally fell asleep in the arms of the only guy I will ever want.
OK! I'm super sorry for not updating as soon as I usually do, how long has it been again? Oh well, I forgot! But it was my sister's birthday today and my family came over. And I was holding myself back from running downstairs and going on the computer. I was going to start the next chapter on here, but I thought that was a good way to end an ok chapter....
Anyways, I'm going to try to update sooner next time, the next chapter will be New Years Eve and New Years Day, then after that will probably be the last day of vacation. Then I'm going to have them back at Easton, for like a few weeks. :] Don't worry, this story isn't over.
OH! Before I forget! I'm super sorry I didn't give this person credit but I would LOVE to thank ilovetoread38! She gave me the idea to have Hunter do something to Reed and Josh come save her. Even though I didn't have them go really far, it was pretty intense.
But, Idk. It seems like some of u didn't like it. I'm totally fine with that. But I thought it was great! Thanks again ilovetoread38!
review please, please, please!!!!!
-Lauren