Love of a Tree Hugger

Chapter 22

Eric POV

As I wait for five minutes like I told her I would I have to start wondering. Why is she effecting me so bad? How did she get under my skin and into my heart like this?

I really truly care about her but I can't let anybody know. I can't show weakness. Why can't I just turn these emotions off?

It's going to be so hard to ignore her and treat her like any other inniate. But for only three more weeks then she is mine.

I still can't believe she got that tattoo. Its feels good knowing I helped her through her first fight. I had put her against Zach thinking he would win and beat the crap out of her. And there is no way she would still love him if he beat her. It made perfect sense at the time but as soon as she went to step into the ring I knew I shouldn't have done it. It broke my heart knowing she might get hurt. I was scared and I have never been scared.

I got so wrapped up in my thoughts that I didn't realize I had been sitting here for over ten minutes.

As I walk back to my apartment I can't help but think about how lonely it's going to feel now. It's never bothered me before but after having her in my arms and feeling her lips I feel empty without her. I think after innation I should ask her to move in with me.

"Damn dude what are you so deep in thought about?"

"Damon? Hey man! I didn't think you were coming back for a week?"

"And here I thought you had missed me." laughing that way only damon can.

"Yeah I missed you like a bad disease."

Damon and I have been friends for about a year now. He is one of the few people here who I trust and actually enjoy spending time with.

"You know you missed me. Now lets head to the bar and grab some beers. I haven't had a drink since last time we got tore up."

As we walk in the bar seems its just the regulars tonight. Dennis the bartender sees us and grabs four beers and puts them up on the bar.

"Looks like trouble is back in town." Dennis looks amused at himself.

We grab our beers and head to an empty table.

"So what's new around the compound? Anything new?"

"Same old same old man. How is everything at the fence?"

"Steve and Stella broke up. And that has been interesting to say the least. She started a bonfire with his underwear."

"That is freaking hilarous!" I can't help but laugh. "I heard she had a temper."

"Hey! Who is this girl Andrew can't quit talking about? He was out at the fence yesterday and he was in a big hurry to get back couldn't quit talking about some girl. He didn't end up leaving till late last night and he was pissed."

"I don't know. Didn't realize he had a girl." I know exactly who he is talking about and I know I can trust telling him but I am not ready to share my feelings with anybody yet. But I am having a hard time concentrating on this conversation because my mind keeps wandering back to kissing her.

We sit and talk for a couple of hours. Before he realizes how late it is.

"Damn man! I have a meeting with max in the morning. I didn't realize we drank so many beers." Damon stands to leave but he is wobbling on his feet.

"Light weight! You only drank ten beers."

That gets me a fuck you Eric as he stumbles out the bar.

I know I messed up but I am not drunk.

"Dennis give me two shots of vodka and another beer." I know the only way I am sleeping tonight is if I pass out. There is no way I am going to be able to keep my mind off her.

I really wish I could sneak into the dorm and sweep her up and take her back to mine to snuggle all night.

I quickly down the vodka shots and beer hoping they will slow my brain down.

#####

I wake up and realize I don't even remember coming back to mine last night. The vodka and beer must have done it's trick.

Rolling over to look at my clock on the nightstand I feel someone squirm.

Shit! I know I had wanted to drag blaze back to mine to snuggle but I didn't realize I had done it.

"Oh blaze sweetie." As I pull her into me to snuggle.

She turns over and starts laughing. "No my name is Sarah silly."

What the fuck!

"What the hell are you doing in my bed?"

"Don't you remember last night at the bar you kept begging me to come back to yours and snuggle? Of course snuggling lead to other things" She keeps giggling. Why does she keep giggling? This shit isn't funny.

"Get your clothes on and get the fuck out of my apartment. And if I hear about you telling anybody about this I will make you live to regret it."

I throw my clothes on so I can throw her skank ass out of here. Please God don't let Blaze find out about this. This bitch better keep her mouth shut or she is going to pay. Blaze told me last night she liked me and she would be mine and I am not going to let anybody screw that up.

"Why don't you want to snuggle anymore? I can come back tonight for more snuggle time."

"You need to keep your skanky ass away from me and keep your damn mouth shut."

As I am shoving her into the hallway she is still running her mouth. "You didnt want me to keep my mouth shut last night when it was wrapped around your dick or when you were begging me to scream your name."

I didn't even respond to her stupidty as I slammed the door in her face. All I can think about is blaze. She can't find out about this. Just hours ago she declared herself as mine and then I fucking do this.

I think I will go to the training room and take my frustrations out on the punching bags because there is no way I am going to be able sleep now. Plus it's closer to the dorms which means it's closer to her. And it's where she told me she liked me.

Yeah I am going to the training room. I can't help but smile thinking about her and her sweet kisses. And those damn fireworks.

As I open my front door something on the handle catches my eye. When I unwrap it my heart sinks. Its my necklace that I gave blaze. She must have been here. She must have heard or seen something for her to leave my necklace like that.

I can't help but collapse on my couch in tears. I feel like my whole world is crumbling down.

I need to keep it together. I need to figure out how to get her to forgive me. I need to know what she saw or heard. But for now I just need to cry.