and it was perfect

Chapter 26

I wouldn't tell my parents what happened. I woke up feeling awfully exhausted after crying through half of the night and checked my phone. Zoe and Gene had checked in on me, wanting to know how the party and Seattle was. But no message from Aiden. Of course not. I closed my eyes. After making myself look presentable I grabbed my phone once again - and this time, another message covered the screen. "How's it going?" It was him. My heart instantly beat faster. I wished he'd asked me this the night before, now I couldn't get into details without breaking down. And I had to face my parents all day before flying back. But him checking in on me still felt amazing. I gave him a short answer. "Awful. Will you be home tonight?" He immediately said yes and I started to relax a little. Just a few more hours.

I left Seattle with very mixed feelings. I was torn apart between sadness as I wouldn't see my parents for months again and wanting to leave them and my old life behind as fast as possible. I couldn't wait to lay in his arms again. I stared outside my window all the flight back, doing my best not to think about Nate. Five months later, and he'd still hurt me with no hesitation.

I shouldn't have kissed him back. I despised myself for it and I'd sworn myself I wouldn't tell Aiden. I didn't want him to know I was that weak. I had called Gene and filled him in about what happened after saying goodbye to my parents at the gate. But I ended up lying to Zoe, I wanted her to spend the night at Matt's and not bombard me with questions. I wanted to see him. Gene was furious as expected and had barely calmed down when he picked me up from the airport a few hours later.

"This guy should be glad neither me nor Aiden know where he lives. We'd beat the shit out of him." I gave him a sad smile and hugged him tightly. "You're my best friend, you know that?" He hugged me back and nodded. "I know. And that's why he's a dead man." We ended up analysing his behaviour all the way back, but were both at loss when it came to his last words. "How would he make you regret this? Is there anything he can hold against you?" I shook my head. "There's nothing, I don't have debts or any secrets, I'm an open book." He rubbed his chin, lost in thoughts. "Then it's just an empty threat, don't worry about it. You're safe here." I nodded and stroked above the scar underneath my hair. He had to be right.

After he dropped me off I scrubbed the flight off my body and texted Aiden. He hadn't been home when I came back, he was across the street with Josh and Zack. I walked outside and sat down on the back of his car. Thinking about everything we'd done in there made me smile, although I still felt awful. I took a few deep breaths and looked around. Who would've thought I loved the South as much? It was much warmer here compared to Washington, it was 8.30pm and still warm and bright outside. The air just felt different. Maybe I'd actually stay down here after graduating.

I heard the front door of Theo's and Dylan's house open and looked up. My heart instantly squeezed together, but this time not out of pain. I had missed this guy so much. He was busy texting and given the vibration I felt in my pocket he'd let me know he was coming. I wanted to get up and jump into his arms but forced myself to stay. I couldn't tell him how much I'd been looking forward to this.

When he finally looked up and saw me, he flashed me that beautiful smile. And it only took him seconds to realise something was wrong. His smile immediately froze and his eyes hardened. Then he quickly crossed the distance between us and pulled me into his arms. As soon as I felt his body hugging me safely and was hit by my favourite scent in the world, I couldn't stifle the sob coming out of my throat. "I'm gonna kill him. What did he do?" His voice was quiet, but filled with deep anger. Gene was right, no matter if I only was his fuck buddy or more than that, this guy was protective and would join him fighting Nate without thinking twice. I just shook my head, let him hug me and listened to his heart beat. I missed you so much.

He finally convinced me to go inside and made me sit down on his bed. Then he restlessly wandered around his room while I told him what had happened - or at least everything I wanted him to know. I skipped the part that was about him and the kiss. I simply said he came over trying to win me back and to make sure I wouldn't tell a soul. I also skipped the part with my evidence. Those were papers I never wanted anyone to see or know of. And if so, then only the police.

I didn't know if he could tell I wasn't telling him all of the truth, but if so, he didn't show it. At least I had stopped crying now, my eyes were so tired of it. Finally, he let out one last frustrated breath and sat down next to me. "Well, you've got nothing to hide, J. So don't worry." Then he gently tilted my head and inspected my neck and body. "Are you sure he didn't hurt you?" His eyes darted deep inside of mine. I shook my head. "Like I said, he grabbed my arms and chin but there are no bruises or anything." He gave me another examining glance, then he nodded.

He gritted his teeth and I was dying to know what he wanted to say, but he simply let out another frustrated breath and pulled me closer. "I never thought that guy would actually show up at your house. Otherwise ..." he sighed. "I don't know, you shouldn't have gone there." I nodded and buried my head on his shoulder. "Now, do you want me to call Zoe over? I obviously don't expect us to have sex tonight, I'm not a prick." I immediately shook my head, although his words warmed my heart.

"Can you just make me forget all of this?" He raised a brow and slightly grinned while gently stroking my cheek. He still looked worried. "Are you sure about this?" I positioned myself on his lap and nodded. "Yeah." He slightly leaned back and grabbed my waist with both hands. "Now what exactly did you have in mind?" I knew he wanted to lighten the mood. I drew a line on his mouth and couldn't help but smile a little. "You know how I gave you my special therapy when you didn't feel so happy yourself?"

He raised a brow and his grin got wider. "You want me to sing to you?" I lost myself in those beautiful blue eyes and quietly laughed. It hurt after last night. "Nope, I just think it's about time you show me yours." The smirk in his eyes made the last hints of worry disappear and he pulled me closer to kiss me. It was our first kiss since coming back and it felt like my heart was about to explode. God, I've missed you so much. "That type of therapy, huh?" he mumbled against my lips and finally, after 56 hours, I felt whole again.