Our Dirty Little Secret (Book 2) COMPLETE

Chapter 5

My mind drew a blank, and my heart began to thump in a quick, panicked motion, like cornered prey.

Natsu pulled over to a bare lot and set his head on the steering wheel as the car slowed to a stop and heaved a long, relieving sigh.

"Natsu..."

He tilted his head up to meet my eyes, nose brushing my own. He was close, so close that I could hear every heartbeat, every small breath.

Soon my heart wasn't pounding just because of my panicked state.

"Lucy, it's fine," his voice was a hoarse whisper, and I was hurt he'd dropped my usual nickname. "I've always known, or at least suspected, it's just..." His words seemed to catch in his throat and made it hard for him to speak.

"I didn't want to believe it."

Softly I rubbed his arm, hoping to somehow comfort his tearing self. This display of emotion, from Natsu especially, made me somewhat uncomfortable yet glad that he trusted me enough to confide in me.

"It was just madness after you left. With the new child and everything, what was I to do?" Natsu rambled on. "Then I decided to hire Gajeel. I didn't want to find anything. I hoped he didn't; that it was all part of my foolish imagination. But just before Levy was rushed in the Hospital, he told me everything he knew."

"That she was sleeping with someone else," I finished for him, brain buzzing with confusion. He gave me a sad smile, and his hand hovered centimeters above my own.

Why now?

Why was it that all of Lisanna's secrets and lies and affairs had come spilling out after I'd come back--why not before? That way I wouldn't have other things to hide.

~

"Levy, you're going through with the operation when the time comes? Even with the risks? What if..."

Levy caressed the cover of her new book, with a soft, sad wisp of a smile. "Lu-Chan, right now I need your support. I understand you being worried, but I'm worried, too, and I've already evaluated all of the risks. Trust me, I know." She squeezed my hand lightly before adding, "Thanks for the book, by the way. You sure know me best."

Natsu gave me a sly grin.

"Levy..." I groaned. "I do believe in you. And maybe it was selfish of me to doubt you and your heart anyways--since it obviously never failed you and Gajeel."

"Speaking of him, where is he?" Natsu interrupted with genuine curiosity.

"He went to get the babymama a sandwich." Levy piped up.

"I'd never leave Levy hungry," Gajeel said as he entered, right on cue, a wrapped sandwich carefully cradled in his arms. "Ugh, he's here," Natsu mused, feigning disgust.

"Levy, did someone say something? Lucy?"

"Oi, we're not kids, Gajeel. We are so not playing this game, are we?" Natsu asked with a hint of disdain.

"Eh? Levy, did someone say something?" I said with a snicker. "Nah, Lu-Chan, I think you're just hearing things. You may need to see a shrink."

"Guys!" Natsu howled.

"I think there's a fly--Natsu, what the hell are you doing?!" I screeched in alarm as Natsu drew closer with a cocky smirk.

"I win," He grinned in triumph.

Suddenly, a nurse entered the room, promptly closing the door behind her. "Levy may go, but must take medications," She spoke quickly, as if in a hurry to go somewhere. "Check in every other week for tests until the baby is born."

Levy nodded along with each word.

"I wish you all the best."

~

(Lisanna's P.O.V.)

Furin was in a quiet slumber, but he was the least of my problems. I paced the room worriedly. "They still haven't sent the money!" I hissed into the phone. "What's taking them so long? I'm tired of this!"

"Be patient, my dear," was the usual solemn reply from Father.

I swallowed. "What if--"

"Let's not tax ourselves with wondering the pointless, Lisanna." He said, voice dark and deep.

"Fine."

But little did he know, I already had a plan.

~

~FLASHBACK~

-Lucy's P.O.V.-

The music was loud, cups were flying, pool being played. It was a late Friday evening, and nearly our whole high school had showed.

"C'mon Lucy, dance!" Ezra cheered, thrusting her filled cup dangerously high. "Don't be a wuss!"

"I'm not!" I cried. "It's just...there are so many people here!" I knew I was barely audible over the music, as Erza's clueless expression told me so.

She opened her mouth, probably to yell something else, before she was swallowed by the crowd of rowdy teens and I couldn't pick out her scarlet hair anymore.

Great.

"Eh, are you lost?"

Turning around, I was met with red eyes. Rogue. He'd grown his hair out since I'd last seen him; it now pulled back in an even longer ponytail. One of my ex-boyfriends. Honestly, I didn't know why Rogue ever broke up with me. One morning it just...happened. He says someone left him a death threat.

"R-Rogue?" I stuttered at a loss for words.

He smiled. "Lucy, long time no see. Looking bea-ti-ful as always," He smirked, speaking slowly.

"Seriously, did you do something with your hair?" He continued.

I shook my head shyly. This was a rather awkward conversation, but Rogue didn't seem to notice my discomfort as he walked closer.

"Oi, Rogue," Hissed an all-too-familiar voice. A flash of panic flickered in Rogue's eyes as he immediately recognized the spiky pink hair and he made a run for it, not even bidding me goodbye.

"Natsu..." I whined. "Why'd you do that?"

"You know I don't like him," He said with a gruff scoff. "Somein' about him ticks me off."

"That's just like what you said about Loke and Warren, too," I replied, referring to my other old boyfriends. You could say I had a train of bad luck with guys.

Natsu grew flustered. "Oi, oi, let's quit with the questions and take you home. Can't believe Erza just left you here like this, the crazy..."

~FLASHBACK END~

-Lucy's P.O.V.-

"Luce?"

I awoke from the memories, only to find that we'd arrived. Natsu and Lisanna's apartment.

It was like a quiet stare-off we were having, Natsu and I.

"Alright, let's get goin--"

Natsu tugged on my arm, pulling me back into my seat. "Wait, Luce, I have something to tell you," He said, ducking his head down shyly.

My heart thumped hard in my chest.

"W-What is it, Nat--"

But I never got to finish my sentence.

Natsu tilted my head upwards slightly, and I met his eyes, and his gaze held me there, staring at me with such an intensity I felt myself flush.

Before I could register what was happening, his lips grazed mine.

||THIS WHOLE BOOK IS UNEDITED||