Someone You Love (AMBW)

Chapter Twenty

"What happened?" Josie rushed over to the counter just as Danai returned from the back room. The look on her face showed that she heard the commotion too. "You really pissed him off."

I was too embarrassed to answer her question. I wouldn't even know how to put it in words without making me look like an even bigger asshole. "I... mentioned him being adopted." Josie slapped a hand over her mouth while Danai looked confused. "I know I shouldn't have but I was so curious."

"This is something sixteen year old Tahlia would do. I'm going to go talk to him." I quickly grabbed her wrist which she tried to fight me on. "You know how he is about that situation."

I simply agreed with her scolding. "Which is why I should be the one to apologize. He will only get furious knowing I told everyone else." Josie's arm grew slack before I released her from my grip. "Stupid Tahlia, am I right?" I ended this conversation with a nervous chuckle before following Erikksons's path out the back door.

To my surprise, he didn't go far. Right on the patio furniture with a weed pen in his hand and smoke escaping his lips. I started to regret going after him since I didn't even know what I was going to say but I was already out here and I knew he could see me standing around.

"You can't tell anyone," he spoke before I could. "Anyone, Tahlia." I gulped while walking over to sit across from him. "I could sit here and lie and say you aren't right but it's been so long. It actually feels good that someone knows." He took another puff before turning to look me in my pitiful eyes. "I'm glad that someone was you."

I couldn't help the smile that crept on my face. I don't know why I felt lucky but it was an intense feeling. Seeing how he wasn't as mad as I thought he would be and actually relieved is something I was hoping for. "I won't tell a soul. And it's perfectly fine if you want to expand on-"

"I don't."

"Ok." I quickly closed my hands between my thighs as the temperature started to catch up to me. "Well can we talk about how Danai broke the spaghetti in half before putting it in the pot?"

His face dropped. "No fucking way. Whole dish ruined." I laughed as he tried to fake Josie's voice with a straight face. "Unbelievable." Our giggles died down seconds later until we were sitting in silence. "Want a hit?" I declined his offer. "It'll chill you out. Feels like you've been walking on egg shells since we got in the car."

I could agree with him. There's a lot I want to leave behind during this trip and deal with once I get home. I needed to be open to other discussions and keep my mind off what is really eating me alive. "My parents are getting a divorce." But it wouldn't hurt to let it out a bit. "Well they haven't said they are but it's implied. Dad's leaving for Christmas. All I've ever known was them two and it's being ripped out of my bare... hands."

Erikkson sighed while kicking his feet up on the glass patio table. "All I can tell you is to not let it affect you. No matter how long you cry, complain, or distance yourself... it's going to happen. Enjoy those moments you have right now with them together. If they do happen to realize they made a mistake in the future, at least you didn't die from a broken heart."

The look he gave me was sympathetic and it meant a lot coming from someone who didn't know their parents at all. I always wondered how he handled knowing he was adopted and he told me without actually telling me.

"Can I hug you?"

"Why not-"

"What are you guys doing out here?" We both turned to face Victor who stood there like a mannequin while his cold breathe left his mouth. "Food is ready."

Leave it to Victor to ruin a moment since he can't control the burning jealousy he has leaking from his heart. I could tell he wasn't pleased with us being out here for as long as we were. He probably has this constant voice in the back of his head that I'll date all his friends before I come back around to him. He doesn't realize that he's all I've ever wanted. But Josie's approval is what I want even more.

"We were just headed back inside." Erikkson got up and dusted off his pants while giving me a small smile. I smiled back while remaining in my seat since I wasn't quite ready to come in yet. "See you inside?" He asked me.

"Of course." I looked away from Victor who side stepped Erikkson to give him room to walk by. Once the door was closed, he took Erikkson's old seat across from me. "Is Josie freaking out?"

"She takes everything to the extreme. But she'll be alright. It can only get better." He chuckled briefly before quickly leaning in and snaking his hand behind my head to pull me closer to his face.

I licked my lips with the few seconds I had to spare before our lips touched. He morphed his lips with mine as I tried to keep up with the hunger. Our tongues touched then they danced and next his was halfway down my throat. I pulled away when he took my bottom lip in between his teeth.

"What was the for?" I said a bit taken back. "You just sit down and kiss me."

"You said you wanted to talk. I thought we were on the same page-" I looked at him quite shocked for that response. "Is this not what you meant? Trying again? I do want to try again with you. Do things your way now. All secretive and don't fuss about it."

My jaw dropped as I realized exactly what's wrong. "We're in different books." The next thing heard was the back door squealing shut and all I saw was the back of Danai's head. "Oh, fuck!"

"Yeah she definitely saw us." We both jumped up from our seats to chase after her. By the time we got inside it was a completely different environment then what I left it in. Erikkson was smiling, Josie was enjoying life too but Danai was on the kitchen sweating bullets. "You talk to her. You're a girl."

I rolled my eyes when he broke away to go be in the living room with his sister. "Foods ready!" Danai called out as she nervously watched me make my way over to her. "I'll make your plate Tahlia! How much do you want?"

"Can I just talk to you privately for a second?"

"For what? I'm just serving out spaghetti." She smiled widely at me and it was clear as day that she was hiding something. It made my heart run at a million beats a minute because I didn't know her. I didn't know if she kept things to herself or waited for a moment alone with anyone to spill all she knew. "Not saying... anything."

I didn't believe her. I had to watch her. Or maybe... "Okay, cool. Thanks for making my plate. I'm just going to go ask Josie where she wants to eat since she doesn't like the decor in the dining room."

"She what? What's wrong with my grandmothers set?" I shrugged on the outside but on the inside I was jumping for joy. No one would tell a secret to a person who's on their bad side. "Well ask her."

"I did. She said it's just boring." I quickly scurried away as the group in the kitchen got larger and larger. I didn't want Josie to hear me telling a bold face lie.

I didn't get two feet away before I heard Josie squeal. "I bought these pants brand new!"

"I'm so sorry. At least their not boring anymore." I never took Danai as the petty type but then again... those Twins are full of surprises. "There's some spare in my room but you have to walk past the dining room to get there."

Victor nudged my arm while trying not to bust out laughing at Dwane's face as he emerged himself in the drama. "What did you tell her?"

"Nothing. They're doing this on their own devices. But Danai said she wasn't going to say anything. Which means we have to be more careful." He nodded. "Just until we make things public."

"You said you wanted to keep it between us. I'm totally fine with that."

I quickly disagreed. "I'm not going back in time. We like each other," I reminded him. I wanted to let him know that everyday if he actually let a day go by where he wasn't making me wonder why I'm even trying with him.

"I know but you're kind of confusing me with all of this. I don't want to be confused while holding your hand too."