Five Words

Chapter 23

~Cher

"I didn't do it." He whispers softly.

I push myself off the ground and face him. I study him, I really study him. His eyes are clamped shut, almost painfully, like it pains him to admit this to me. His jaw is tight, as his teeth grind against each other. His chest is rising and falling not in a fast pace but also not at a normal pace.

"I didn't do it. I loved her. And when you love someone, you don't hurt them, at least not that bad." His voice is strained, pain latching in his voice.

He loved her. Does that mean he doesn't love her anymore? Or is that what he wants to believe? Or did she end things between them because she thought that he is the one who hurt her?

The pain he was and still is in must be beyond what I can imagine. I remember his words from earlier...

Losing the love of your life only brings unbearable pain.

He lost her that night. All he has been left with was the pain of her being gone.

I think for a second before I act. Him not committing the crime makes perfect sense. First of all, because my mother wouldn't let a rapist wander around me so freely. Second of all, my heart is so comfortable around him, that it sometimes freaks me out, but I have no control over it. I like Ace, and since the moment I have met him, regardless of all the times he has been an ass to me, I have wanted to be his friend to get to know him. And now that he is gradually letting me in, I am not about to back off.

I don't stop myself when I find myself scooting closer to him, and covering his hand with my own. He slowly opens his eyes and tilts his head to the side. I can tell that he is slowly, very slowly, is starting to somehow trust me. Tonight, he has told me part of his truth, which is certainly something so hard for him to do.

I decide to change the subject, knowing that speaking those words were difficult for him though they may not seem as much. I smile at him, dying to see his smile, the one I saw at the restaurant today.

"So, you going to tell me what happened with her?"

He smiles just like I have hoped he would, and he shakes his head.

"That's all you're getting out of me, Cher."

"I didn't force this out of you, Ace." I defend myself, "You did it all on your own."

He chuckles in disbelief, "I did, didn't I?"

"I think you're starting to like me."

He does it so skillfully that I almost don't notice it. He flips his hand capturing my hand in his, enclosing his fingers around mine.

"Not really."

I wouldn't have thought that interlocking fingers could feel this good, could make me feel this good. His hand is warm, even on this slightly cold evening. That same electricity is buzzing through my veins. Why do I like this so much?

"Oh come on." I say, ignoring all what is happening inside of me because of his touch, "You just...God, Ace. Am I even close?"

He looks at me with his mysterious gaze, "Too close." A grin stretches upon his lips.

"Great." I roll my eyes, "You're being sarcastic."

"I'm not." He retorts, "I'm so serious."

But he's not wiping that stupid grin off his face. It is really hard to believe him with it on his face.

"Whatever."

He brings our hands to his chest, pulling me slightly down, forcing me to meet his hazel eyes.