-A Note: Hey Everybody! Sorry this took so long. If you've read this story before you will not recognize a word of this chapter because well it's brand new. I realized that my original chapter 19 involved a major time job and rushed the story way too much. After writing the story all the way through and going back to repost it, I realized I still have more in me that I could write inbetween chapter 18 and the original chapter 19. In that case there will be more new chapters coming before I finish up the story.
Anyway, I hope you all enjoy this next chapter! Thank you for the reviews, follows, favorites and views so far! I'm thrilled you all like my story. Please keep reading and commenting because I love hearing back from all of you!
"My poor, poor babies. I'm so sorry you've been neglected like this." The light of the shed may be dim but it's bright enough to illuminate the condition of my rusty and somewhat dilapidated bikes. They look to be in worse condition than me on the day I was found five months ago. Both tires are flat on both of my bikes, the chains are rusted, the handle bars of my road bike are bent and the brakes of my mountain bike might as well not be there since they are literally falling off. I shake my head at the gritty feel of the dust transferring to my fingertips as I run my hand along one of the frames. This is going to take some work but I have a lot of time on my hands.
I don't know what made we want to walk into the shed, maybe it is the fact that I've been bored out of my skull the last two weeks. Now that its mid-November and the hype from Halloween has calmed down, everyone has gone back to work… except me. I don't really need the money, the Army will support me for the rest of my life because of my injuries, but I really need something to do. Right now, fixing up my bikes seem to be about as good a plan as any.
Picking one up, I carry it out of the dimness and into bright, early-afternoon light. I attempt to set it upside down, finding out very quickly that I have my work cut out for me. The handlebars are bent significantly enough to cause me to spend several minutes attempt to get the thing to magically stand up on its own. I sigh out at the pile of metal in front of me placing a hand on the front tire to spin it, my sigh growing exasperated when I find it barely moves.
"Well… Let's do this," I muse to myself and roll up the sleeves of my gray, long sleeve, softball shirt. I'm hoping I can at least find enough tools in the shed left over to at least get started. If my old tools are still there I'd be extremely surprised since Emily really doesn't know the difference between a screw driver and a hammer. Bless her beautiful, beautiful heart. I wonder if she ever did figure out how to change a tire. As suspected, very little of my tools are left but I find a wire-brush, a can of rust-removal fluid and wrench that just happens to be the right size for most of the part on the bike. I can at least get to cleaning it up.
Hours later and I'm still working on the front tire, the very first part I started with. I put the tire back on the fork and replace the once again shiny bolts. I tighten them and cross my fingers, hoping I didn't just waste two hours of my day. Closing my eyes, I take a hold of the wheel and spin it, my eyes shooting open in glee when the familiar hum of air whizzing through the spokes of a spinning tire registers in my ears. I squat down and watch the spokes blur in front of me, thrilled with the results of my elbow grease and determination. As I stare through the spinning wheel, I notice the slim figure of a dark-haired goddess approaching me. I sigh to myself slightly. It's not that I'm not happy to see her, I love every second I get to spend with Emily but it almost seems as if she's been going out of her way to see me as much as possible. This makes it even harder than it already is to get over her. Especially when she comes into my backyard looking like this. I swear the girl could look fantastic in a burlap sack. However, instead of a sack she's gliding across my backyard in a tight-fitting, pink, V-neck t-shirt that is covered by a black jacket. Her jeans are skin tight (as jeans should always be on Emily Fields) and her outfit is completed with a pair of black boots. As she continues to draw near, I do my best to shake off the dirty thoughts of the many things I want to do to her right now and instead go straight for the humor instinct. I lean over my bike like a mother protecting her child and with a smirk say, "Shhh… It's ok… I won't let her hurt you anymore." I look up just in time to see her roll her eyes and look down on me.
"Well I was going to compliment you, but now I don't think you deserve it," she retorts playfully with a smile. "I didn't do anything to your bikes."
"I know," I answer, standing up to level eyes with her, "and that's probably the issue. You've neglected my babies." We both laugh a little, happy to be bantering with each other again. I love hearing her laugh and seeing the way her face lights up when she does it and I can't get enough. Seeing her laugh like this, seeing her happy is seeing all I've ever wanted for Emily coming true. Even if I'm not with her for the rest of my life, I'm going to spend every moment trying to make moments like this happen.
"So, Em… What can I do for you on this fine afternoon?" I say with a smile, shoving my rag into the back pocket of my pants.
"Oh, I was just wondering, did I leave my jacket over here the other day when I was picking up the rest of my things? I can't seem to find it." I drop my head and smirk. She had indeed forgotten her jacket for the fourth time in a week. I was beginning to think it was on purpose. "What?" she asks playfully in regards to my actions.
"Nothing. You've just been quite forgetful lately is all." I watch intently as she drops her smile knowing she's been caught in the act. I can't wait to see how she's going to manage her way out of this one. I give her a knowing and playful smile, challenging her to try and talk her way out of this one.
"I guess… I've just had a lot going on with planning the wedding and all." Well that works. I drop my smile and mentally curse myself for thinking it had anything to do with me. Of course it wasn't. She has Stephanie and that is her future, not me. Emily jumped into full swing with her wedding plans after Halloween. I've been trying to push it out of my mind and change the subject when it comes up but it gets harder and harder to ignore with each passing week and the closer Emily and I once again become. I know I shouldn't let myself, she's engaged and I'm dating Alex, but I feel myself falling for Emily all over again. I try to stop the thoughts and focus on Alex, on maybe making things official with her and starting a chance at a new future, but it's hard to ignore my feelings for someone when that person is my soul mate. I wish I could walk away, move away, anything, but I need Emily in my life somehow, so I'm focusing on being a supportive friend. No matter how much I try though, talking about the wedding is still awkward. The voices in my head are screaming at me, yelling at me to spill out that this isn't right. That she should be with me that she belongs with me, but I keep quiet. I've already destroyed her life enough for one lifetime. We stay quiet for a long time, both of us still feeling too awkward to break the silence. Thankfully, we don't have to, when someone else doesn't it for us.
"Hey girls, what are you two doing back here?" Alex says as she appears from around the corner of the house. I'm caught unaware at seeing her thinking she's surprised me by showing up early for our date until I look down at my watch and realize she's right on time. My eyes go wide, knowing I lost track of time working on my bike.
"Oh shit. Alex, I'm sorry. I got distracted working on my bike. I'm so sorry I'm not ready." I apologize somewhat frantically. She giggles as she nears me and I feel my body relax some at the soft inviting noise.
"But then I would've missed seeing you with this cute little grease spot on your cheek," the green-eyed girl remarks as she reaches me. She runs her thumb along my jawline before pressing a soft lingering kiss to my lips. I can feel the blush creeping into my cheeks at the comment and the kiss as Alex pulls away from me to look into my eyes. "Hi"
"Hey you," I reply with a smile as I dip my head down. It's weird how someone besides Emily can make me feel this way. Of course, the feelings aren't as intense as with Emily, but it makes me hopeful to be able to feel anything with someone else.
"Hi Emily, how are you?" the blonde asks, reminding me of the awkward feelings I had moments earlier. I look up to find Emily staring intently at the blonde, still not sure how she felt about the new person in my life. Yes we've worked things out after the club and Emily has accepted that Alex is a part of my life now but I'll be damned if I don't detect jealousy in the raven-haired girl every time Alex comes around.
"I'm fine," she answers before looking back to me. "I'm just going to grab my jacket and go. I forgot I have to go meet Stephanie in a few minutes." I give her a tight hug and thank her for stopping by before she makes her exit into the house.
"She really doesn't like me, does she?" Alex asks as we both stare after the retreating figure. My only answer is a shoulder shrug.
"Well, I like you," I say with a smile as I pull her towards me by the fabric of her shirt. I pull her flush against my body and connect our lips fully and deeply, very happy to see her and to have the tension between Emily and I gone for now.
"I am one lucky girl then," she mutters against my lips, causing me to smile. "Now, how about we go get you cleaned up so we can go on our date?" She gives me a mischievous grin and I know full well what she means by we.
A very long and hot (in every way possible) shower later and we are at the restaurant on our date. I can't keep my eyes off her as tells me about her week and giggles at my jokes. I'm very lucky to have Alex in my life at this point. She keeps me focused on the present, allowing me to escape from the hold Emily has on me, even if it's only on a night by night basis.
"I want to ask you something," she admits halfway through dinner, suddenly looking nervous. My breath catches in my throat as I suddenly feel as though bad news is coming my way. My eyes catch sight of her hands wringing on the tabletop and I reach out to grab her hands to steady them. I hear her release a breath and close her eyes to steady herself.
"Whatever it is Alex, its ok." She grabs my hand that's on top of hers and finally is able to look me in the eyes. I give her a tender smile to urge her on though I'm freaking out inside since I really have no idea why she is so nervous.
"Paige, I really like you and I love every second we spend together…and well will you be my girlfriend… officially?" She peers up at me with her head slightly tilted and one eye closed as if she is bracing for the worst. It's adorable and I can't help but release a small giggle as I dip my head down, my cheeks flushing red. I squeeze her hand and look up to her before cupping her cheek with my free hand.
"Alex, yes… I'd love to be your girlfriend," I say, giving her a kiss. "Officially" She smiles one of the biggest smiles I've ever seen and I can't stop myself from returning it back to her with my own. I don't know what the future holds but maybe I really can have something special with someone besides Emily and maybe that someone is Alex.