Under One Condition || Eddie Munson

chapter fourteen

It felt like my heart had stopped when Eddie muttered those words. Thinking back to who I was earlier this year seemed like an entirely different person. I gave Eddie a soft smile and gently kissed him again. "I wouldn't have allowed you to," I began, "I was far too shy." This much was true, I would've thought he was just messing with me; much like his compliment in detention.

Eddie ran his hands over my cheeks and allowed them to rest against my neck, "you were so cute. I couldn't keep my eyes off you." I bit my lip to try and hide my smile. His eyes glanced down at my lips and shook his head, "what did I say about that?" I shrugged innocently and continued to bite my lip. A chuckle escaped Eddie's lips as he pulled me into his chest. Butterflies in my stomach were going crazy, I couldn't help the wide smile as I wrapped my arms around his chest.

We sat there for awhile before I noticed the rain had stopped. I pulled back, looking into Eddie's eyes, "I should get home. My mom is probably worried." I knew she probably wasn't, or didn't even notice me missing but I needed to process everything that happened.

Eddie gave me a closed mouth smile, "of course, I'll drive you home." With a nod I got off his lap and shuffled off the bed. "Just wear my clothes home, I can always get them later," he said sliding off the bed to stand. I didn't feel the need to respond as I grabbed my clothes off his end table. I followed him out of his house and to his van.

The ride back was quiet, it was a comfortable silence. Eddie had ahold of my hand the whole way, rubbing circles on the back. I relished in the feeling he gave me; this whole day felt like a dream. I noticed my car in the driveway when we pulled in. I must've looked confused because Eddie broke my thoughts, "Steve drove your car home last night." I hummed in response and looked towards the boy sitting next to me. I didn't want to get out, I was afraid this would all go away. "I'll see you tomorrow at school?" Eddie sounded hopeful. I nodded with a smile, not trusting my voice. Hesitantly I leaned over the center console; he grinned and met me half way. Our kiss was slow, I felt my body ignite again. God, I love this feeling. We pulled away seconds later, "don't miss me too much, m'lady."

I giggled, "right back at you." Winking at Eddie, I hopped out of the car.

I quickly made my way inside, not turning around worried that this was all a figment of my imagination. "Oh good, you're home." Steve said as I walked through the front door. "Sit down, I need to talk to you both," he continued. I furrowed my brows and walked towards the couch my mom was sitting on. Steve paced in front of us, making me nervous. Was something wrong with the baby? Did something bad happen while I was gone? So many questions crossed my mind as my eyes followed him. "Aspen, you already know what's going on." Steve whispered. I did? I wracked my brain trying to figure out— oh. He hadn't told mom about the baby. I bit my lip anxiously. I wasn't sure how she'd react. "Like a bandaid Steve c'mon," Steve was talking to himself. This made things more awkward as mom started to look impatient. "I uh—," he swallowed thickly, "got Nance pregnant?" It came out as more of a question than a statement. I quickly looked towards our mom to watch her reaction as Steve turned his back to us.

She looked like she was processing what he just said, her eyes widened in realization, "how could you be so reckless?" She nearly hissed. Of course she wasn't going to be supportive. "My reputation is going to be ruined!" She practically yelled. "You couldn't wrap it up, could you?" She continued to rant about Steve being irresponsible. Steve had turned back around to look at us, I could see tears form in his eyes.

I felt anger bubble up in me. "Mom! It happened, you can't change that. All you can do is try to be supportive," I couldn't believe her. Like always, she made it about her. Steve looked like he was holding back a sob. Glaring at my mother, I stood up quickly, "c'mon Steve." I grabbed his hand and pulled him towards my room. Leaving wouldn't be the best solution but we had to get out of the room. Tears poured out of Steve's eyes as soon as I closed the door. I heard a strangled sob come from his lips. My heart felt like it was breaking as I pulled him into a hug.

He wrapped his arms around me and buried his face in my shoulders. I could feel the tears soaking my shirt as he continued to cry, "what am I supposed to do?" He sobbed harder into my shoulder. I didn't have an answer or a solution to anything. I ran my hand through his hair to comfort him. "I can't do this alone," he said shakily.

I shook my head viciously, "I'm here, Stevie. You're not alone. Twins forever, remember?" I squeezed him tighter. I felt my own tears prick the back of my eyes. I didn't want to let them spill, but it hurt to see my brother cry. I felt a knot in my throat as I pulled away from him. His cheeks were wet from the tears, more kept coming out. I wiped them away with my hand, "Stevie, you're not alone," I reassured him. He nodded and took a shaky deep breath, trying to calm himself. I gave him a sad smile and led him to my bed.

We both climbed onto the bed and faced toward each other, "I don't want to talk about it anymore," Steve said, wiping his cheeks. I nodded and reached for his hand. "So," he cleared his throat, "why are you wearing boy clothes?" I felt my cheeks flush. I probably looked like a fish out of water, opening and closing my mouth. I wasn't sure how to respond to him. At this, Steve let out a sad laugh, "don't worry, I know Eddie took you to his house last night." He sighed and rubbed his face. He had stopped crying and just looked tired, "what did you guys do all day?"

My face grew even more red, if that as possible, "just hung out," I mumbled. Steve raised his eyebrow at me, wanting more of an answer. I bit my lip, "we uh— well he read me Lord of the Rings." I nodded my head, but Steve only looked at me with a "go on" look. I sighed, "we talked and— and we might have kissed," I whispered the last part.

A huge smile broke out across his face, "finally! The dude has been crushing on you forever." I rolled my eyes at him, "I'm serious!" He responded to my facial expression. "Is that all that happened?" He wiggled his eyebrows up and down.

I gave an exasperated sigh, "yes dad, that's all that happened." Steve laughed at my response.

"Fine, keep your secrets," he slightly pushed my shoulder. I chuckled and shook my head. "Thank you," Steve said seriously after a beat of silence. I looked at him confused, "for being here for me. I don't need anyone else in my life, only you." I felt my heart swell. All I needed in my life was him as well. I couldn't imagine my life without him— I didn't want to.

I pulled my twin into a hug, "of course, Stevie. You're my everything." We didn't have the moments often, most of it was joking around or talking about his girl problems.

He smiled at my response, "I love you, I feel like I don't say that enough to you." I giggled at my twin, he said it enough but I didn't correct him.

"I love you more," I shoved his shoulder.

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I'm sorry for the late chapter, I've been so busy with school and traveling. It doesn't help that I have writers block.

If you guys are interested, I'm writing a Steve/Eddie book as well. It's called "Freak", I have three chapters up!

I love you guys <3

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