Castle On The Hill

Chapter Thirteen

Going to Naples with Parker a week and a half ago was stupid and I'm still pissed about that and him dumping me. Ashley came out and got us which Francesca wasn't thrilled with, but we had no choice. We haven't spoken to Parker unless absolutely necessary. Shane may have forgiven his best friend, but the rest of us have not. Especially not me.

It has been snowing all day and coming up here with a pending snowstorm is risky, but I needed to get away. I can walk down the hill in the snow if it gets too bad.

Instead of sitting in my usual spot on the fourth floor, I decided to fully explore the floors. I have gotten lost in here for hours just exploring, imagining and thinking. Lots of thinking.

I plopped down on the third floor right next to a hole that looked down to the second floor. I laid on my stomach and looked through the hole, and to my surprise I wasn't alone.

"Shane!" I yelled.

Shane whipped his head around and looked confused.

"Look up!"

He looked up and smiled. He stood under me and held his arms open. "Jump down."

I looked at him in shock. "Do what? Aren't we trying to prevent from being injured up here?"

He smiled. "I can catch you."

"Are you sure?"

"If I can catch Francesca, then I can catch you too."

I giggled. "Head first or feet first?"

"Which would you rather land on if I miss?"

My eyes went wide and he smiled. I threw my bag down and repositioned to where my feet were dangling over the edge. I jumped down and landed right in his arms. His hands were on my ass and we both smiled.

"I told you I could catch you." He smiled.

I had an overwhelming urge to kiss him on the cheek, so I did. He blushed and set me down. I felt another overwhelming urge to be in his arms again. Instead, I went for my backpack.

"What are you doing here with the storm coming?" I asked.

"I could ask you the same thing."

"You could, but I asked you first."

He nodded and sat down, so I sat with him. I studied him and noticed his blue eyes looked sad. I scooted closer to him and he faked a smile.

"All is good with me."

"You're lying."

He sighed in defeat. "I am."

"What's going on?"

"Ashley and I broke up."

"Why?"

"She thinks I cheated on her with Francesca."

I gasped. "Why? Was it because she was with us when she picked us up?"

He sighed again. "Yes. Francake and I have a history. We never dated, but did the friends with benefits thing, and sometimes it overlapped into relationships."

My eyes went wide, but I stopped myself from gasping. "Are you with her still?"

He shook his head. "Heavens no. It ended early in her shit show relationship with Nick. As I was sneaking out her bedroom window, he was ringing the doorbell to go to Rochester with them for the day."

"Damn."

"Damn indeed. It was a short relationship, bored kids."

"I get it. Sorry you felt like that."