Forever & Always

3. Secrets

Isla POV

After spending some time at the tree house Joe and I had taken a steady walk back to the school. The whole way back home had kept hold of my hand and he had taken a keen interest in what had been going on with me over the years.

"So what's your situation?" He asks "are you married? Kids?"

"No I'm not married, never been" I say "lets just say I haven't always made good choices but there are things I don't regret. You're married though right?" I ask glancing at is left hand and seeing no ring

"Um no, it didn't get that far" he sighs "let's just say it didn't last very long after she did something I couldn't forgive her for"

"I'm sorry you two seemed pretty happy when you left" I say "I've never had te chace to say this but I'm proud of you Joe, you're a superstar just like I said you'd be"

"That means alot thankyou" he smiles "listen would you like to have dinner with me tonight? We could catch up some more, spend some more time together"

"I'd love to but I can't tonight" I say "maybe tomorrow night if you're still here?" I ask

"I told you I'm not going anywhere" he says looking into my eyes "Isla there is nobody in this world that has meant more to me than you do, I know I haven't been the friend you needed but I want to be, I want you back in my life, do you think that's possible?"

"I don't see why not" I smile "Joe you were everything to me back then, you still are despite the years apart, I'd be lying if I said I hadn't missed you"

"I've missed you too butterfly" he says wrapping is arms around me "more than you know, I could drive you home if you like?"

"No........I um......my car is just over there" I say "but thank you for the offer, I'll see you tomorrow Joe"

I place a light kiss on his cheek before heading to my car, it was true I had made some bad choices after he left but one of those led to something I didn't regret, something that for some reason I didn't seem to be able to tell Joe.

Starting up the engine I pull out of the school car park and head towards my house. I hadn't expected the way I felt when I saw him but I was glad Joe was back, in a way it was like he had never left.

Joe POV

As I watch Isla drive away I couldn't help but wonder if maybe she had felt what I did when we saw each other for the first time. If that was why she was being awkward and hesitant about spending time with me.

I felt guilty not being here for her over the years, and I wanted to make it up to her some how. Dinner was a start but I knew it would take alot more than that.

I had noticed that my nickname for her still caused the same beautiful smile it always did, it amazed me how little she had changed. She was almost the same Isla thati left here all those years ago. Almost, but not quite, the one thing I was always good at was knowing when she was hiding something and that's exactly what she is doing, there is something she either doesn't want me to know or isn't ready for me to know.

It doesn't matter what it is it won't change anything between us I'll  still...........I'll still be here for her as long as she needs me.

Isla POV

I hadn't forgotten how good Joe was at knowing me better than I knew myself, so I was aware he'd know there was something I wasn't telling him.

It wasn't that I didn't want him to know it's that it's not easy to tell especially with who was involved. I knew Joe wouldn't like it and he be angry, not at me but at the other person and I didn't want him to go looking for a fight, not on my account.

Pulling up on the driveway I take off my seat belt and take a deep breath, today had definitely been a revelation, but what I was going to do with it and about it was still a mystery to me, I had no idea.

Heading into the house I'm greeted by the sight of my mom tidying up.

"Hey sweetie you're later then normal" she smiles "did that thing over run"

"Oh no I bumped into an old friend" I smile "a very old friend"

"Joe's back in town huh" she chuckles "how is he doing?"

"I have other friends besides Joe mom" I laugh

"Yeah but only he puts a smile like that on your face" she says "I may have had stuff going on back then but I still noticed things"

"He's doing good, he is huge I'm pretty sure his bicep is as big as my head now" I laugh "he looks good, really good"

"You always were good at exaggerating" she says rolling her eyes "well I'm going to head off, I will see you in the morning"

"Yeah.......oh um Joe has asked me to have dinner with him tomorrow" I say and she smiles at me

"Not a problem" she says "see you tomorrow"