Love or war?

Chapter Sixteen

Things were going great. Ace and I were going strong and so were Naomi and Aidan. We hung out together all the time.

I had just got home from a date with Ace when my phone rang. It was Nolen just perfect. I really don't want to answer it so I just watch it ring. But I can't just leave him alone with his thoughts I have to answer.

"Hello?"

"Hey Alani,"

"Hey Nolen what's up?"

"Can we talk?"

"I guess we're going to have to anyway,"

"Are you busy now? I was thinking you could meet me on the beach,"

"Sure Nol I'll be there in ten. Ok, bye"

As I hang up the phone I'm really nervous. I know I need to talk to him about all that happened but it's going to be so awkward.

When I get to the beach I see Nolen standing in the sand pacing back in forth. This is probably killing him I need to assure him I know it was an accident and it's all ok.

"Hey Nol," I say walking up beside him.

"Oh hey Alani. Ok so I don't want to beat around the bush and never actually talk about what I wanted to so here it is. I'm sorry about the kiss and I'm sorry if I caused any problems. But Alani.... I think I love you," my whole stomach drops as he finishes. My head is spinning. What am I supposed to do now? It was hard enough to cope with the kiss how in the world do you cope with what he just told me?

"Nolen I-" my phone starts to ring and when I look down its Ace. Shoot. I have to answer it.

"Nolen I really have to take this just give me like two seconds I'm really sorry," he nods and I walk away to answer it.

"Hey babe where are you?" Ace asks as soon as I pick up. Odd. Alani you can't lie to him relationships are about trusting each other.

"Just at home," what am I doing? I just lied to him. All I had to say was I was at the beach but I didn't. Then I hear Ace hang up. What is happening? I have to talk to him. I go over to Nolen to tell him there's a freak thing and I have to go but when I get back to him I see Ace walk up. No.

"This doesn't look like your house Alani. If you didn't like me you could've just said so," he storms off.

"Ace wait," I said running after him. "Please stop. I can explain everything just give me a chance,"

"Do you know how many chances I've given you Alani? I keep trying to understand and trying to trust you but you keep turning around and doing things like this. I love you and I thought you loved me too but I can't keep doing this. I'm done,"

"Ace," is all I'm able to get out besides tears. I really lost him this time. There's literally no explaining this one. I lost the only thing I really cared about.

"I love you," I whisper as he turns away to leave hoping he'll come back. But he doesn't. It's really over this time. I just stand there staring at where Ace left.

"Alani," I feel Nolen's hand on my shoulder.

"Nolen I really can't do this right now. I lost him," I say walking not knowing where I'm going. I see Nolen running in the direction Ace left.

"Stop. Don't try and talk to him it'll only make things worse,"

"This is my fault. And I can't stand seeing you like this especially when it's because of me. I have to fix this," he replies wiping a tear from my cheek before leaving in Ace's direction. I'm glad he wants to help but he's not going to help anything.

ACES POV

I can't believe Alani would actually do this I thought everything was going good between us but obviously there was something I was missing that that jerk guy had.

As I'm walking up to my car I feel a tap on my shoulder.

"Alani I really don't want an ex- oh. It's you. What do you want? To thank me for giving you my girl so that you don't have to meet in private anymore? Yeah you're welcome she's all yours," I shake him off my shoulder and continue to my car.

"Wait. That's not what I came here for actually. Can you just listen to me for two seconds," I stop, thinking about whether I should give this guy my time of day or not. I decide why not cause I've got nothing else to lose.

"Fine. But make it quick." I say trying to act intimidating.

"This is my fault. And if you want to be mad at anyone be mad at me. I know Alani told you about the kiss and that was completely my fault and I know she didn't feel anything and that she only loves you. She met me at the beach today cause I wanted to apologize for the kiss. If you don't want to believe me I understand but I'm being honest with you dude. Alani is crushed. I've never seen her this hurt and it's my fault if you could just help me make it right. I'm sorry," he finishes.

"And why should I believe you?"

"Do you really think if I wanted to be with Alani I would be here practically begging you to understand and go back to her? Just do me a favor and at least think about what I said. And don't worry I'm one hundred percent leaving Alani alone from now on because all I cause is trouble," with that Nolen, which I now knew was this guy's name, turned around and went left instead of right where he had to of come from. He really wasn't going back to Alani. I just need some time to think about all of this so I get into my car and drive home.