DEVOTION

chapter five -

A/N : hello ?? Double update of sorts. I just wanted to post this now because it runs together with the last chapter, so I'm saving time.

As of now, I'm trying my damn hardest to do one-two updates a week, because I know things are warming up and I want to keep you interested and happy with the content.

I hope you're enjoying it so far!

This is a kinda small chapter but it's a double update sorta... I'll have the next chapter to you as soon as I can.

Here we go !

EDEN'S POV -

"Good night, darling." Harry's arms wrap around my shoulders, pulling me against him in a hug and I wrap mine around his torso, holding him close for a few seconds, enjoying the comfort that comes with it. It's an unusual feeling to find affection in or from someone that's not family. It's inviting and warm... relieving after today's events.

    I still haven't really let all of that out. Mitch and Harry have both been so comforting and I just didn't want either of them to think I wasn't appreciating it, because I was and I still am. I acknowledged that Aaron and I are on a bit of a fault line... his blow ups happening more often and only getting worse. So I appreciate the way it feels around Mitch and Harry, even if it confuses me.

    "Good night." I pull back from him, grasping his jaw and planting a soft kiss on his cheek, a way of showing him my gratitude that I still am struggling to grasp at. He smiles softly, the same dimple he's flashed me many times today, and grasps my jaw lightly, pecking my forehead and setting off a warmth in my heart... one that's made me feel guilty all day.

    I hate that I might be coming off as needy. Neither of them had to do what they did for me today and I just can't find a way to understand why they would.

    I step back from him, smiling uncontrollably at his smile. I close the door slowly, holding my hand on the doorknob for a few seconds, my feet planted in their posture.

    I've got not a single clue what I'm actually going to do about Aaron and it's eating me alive. Part of me wishes I had the balls to open the door again and actually tell Harry that I'm so confused right now. I'm so confused about the fact that I just met him yesterday and I'm actually questioning the validity and security of my relationship simply because he's reminded me how lonely I feel around Aaron... and maybe that's because I don't feel alone around him or Mitch for that matter. But that's the problem... we've just met.

    I finally step back from the door, my feet growing chilly on the cold bedroom floor tile, and slip myself under the comforter of the guest bed, facing the wall and feeling multiple different emotions beating in my chest.

    Warmth, comfort, pain... a few different things pressing on the pain, and a sort of lonesome feeling. I know that I have the opportunity to go talk to Harry or call Meg, but I just can't bring myself to do either.

    How long have I actually felt like this and just ignored it because I couldn't bring myself to think about the fact that I've been in a failing relationship for some amount of time that doesn't seem to blend with or switch off to some moment in my memory that we weren't unhappy... or atleast one that I wasn't unhappy. How long have I put Aaron's security or wants in front of mine?

    I tossed and turned in the bed for close to an hour, not a single thought leaving me alone long enough to fall asleep, and decided to check my phone. Just as I sort of expected, I've got a missed call from Aaron and a voicemail, drunk if I had to assume.

    I set my phone back down on the bedside table, staring at the ceiling, but it lights up again. "I've got a sneaking suspicion you're also not asleep." Harry texted and I smile, unlocking my phone. "If I didn't think you were just being mindful I might say you're watching me... creepy." I shoot back and immediately see the "read" mark. "Wanna come to the living room?" He texts back but rather than texting him I push the blankets back, slipping out of the bed and opening the bedroom door as quietly as I possibly can, padding down the hall and into the living room.