The One Underneath

|| I Have A Question ||

"Just when I thought the coast was clear, you're cloudin' up my atmosphere." - Hungover and Hard Up, Eric Church

I couldn't believe what all Alex had just told me. I didn't realize that his tattoo meant that much to him. Nobody deserves what he went through. Nobody. I guess that explains the reason as to why he's that way. The reason he's so back-and-forth. Why, even though he didn't seem like he cared, wants me to be safe. Why he's afraid to be in a steady relationship. I felt so bad for him, no matter how much of a jerk he could be.

"Lisa." I said as she opened the door for me to come into the hotel room.

"What's wrong, girlie?" She questioned me as I landed face-first on the bed.

"Alex. He just told me about his tattoo." I talked into the pillow.

"Honey, I can't hear you when you talk into the pillows." She laughed.

I flipped over,

"Alex told me the meaning behind his tattoo."

"Huh?" Her eyes went wide.

"Yep. We both sobbed." I told her.

"Is he okay now?" She questioned as she started braiding Ava's hair.

"I guess. He just left, still crying. I don't know where he went, either." I sighed, rubbing my face.

"It'll be okay." She reassured me as there was a knock at the door.

"I got it!" Austin announced, jumping up.

"Hey, bud, is Addilynn home?" I heard Alex ask.

"Adds! A guy is here for you." He told me. I shot a glance to AJ, him smirking.

"Hey." I looked up at Alex.

"Hey, can we talk?" He asked. I nodded and stepped outside, closing the door behind myself.

"What's up?" I questioned as I looked up at him, crossing my arms.

"I know that we have a weird relationship and that we have different opinions on things and we might argue a lot but-" He rambled on.

"What, Lex?" I asked, laughing a bit.

"I just wanted to know if you maybe, wanted to like, officially be a couple?" He grined, raising his shoulders.

"Let's do it." I hugged him. I took in his scent. He smelled like a mixture of things; cigarettes, gum, and his cologne. It could make any girl fall for him.

"Well, girlfriend," he giggled, making me smile.

"What would you like to do today?"

"Let's go on the beach. I haven't been in forever." I told him.

"Shouldn't you tell AJ about this?" He asked.

"Nah, he'll be fine." I grabbed his hand, walking towards the elevator.

"Don't ever start smoking," He told, lighting one up as we walked to the beach.

"It's the worst habit ever."

"Will you try and stop? Like, for me?" I questioned, looking over at him.

"Why? I mean, we're gonna die anyways." He shrugged.

"But you don't want to die early. You've still got a long life ahead. Don't you want to win a World Series? You can't do that if you're dying from cancer." I stated, annoyance clear in my voice.

"I'll just watch it from my hospital bed." He laughed.

"Don't laugh! That's not funny." I glanced over at him.

"Anyways, let's talk about something else." He said.

"Like what?" I asked.

"Are you going back to softball soon?" He asks.

"Yeah, probably. It'll be in September, though." The thought of being away from Alex actually made me kind of sad. Even though he annoyed me to no end, I'd still kind of miss him.

"Well, we're going to miss you." He said.

"I'm going to miss you too, Alex." I knew he was afraid to say he would miss me.

"So, are you excited to come watch me pitch tomorrow?" He looked over at me as we turned to go back to the hotel. We had walked about a mile.

"I am, actually. You better throw a no-hitter for me." I hugged him as he laughed at bit.

"You'll still be my girlfriend even it I don't, right?" He kissed my forehead, causing me to giggle.

"Of course, Wood. Of course." I replied.

"Can I get personal here, real fast?" He questioned as we sat down on a set of beach chairs.

"Go ahead." I crossed my legs, looking out at the ocean.

"Okay, so you know all that about my parents. But what I didn't tell you is that I was so close to my mom. I'm actually terrified of being in a relationship. I'm scared you'll leave me. I'm scared something will happen to you. So if I'm being too clingy, just tell me. I don't mean any harm. I don't mean to be weird or controlling." He admitted.

"I actually think it's really sweet that you care. I know you mean it in the best way possible. Don't apologize." I tried my best to comfort him.

"Look over at me." He said.

I turned my head and before I knew it, his lips were on mine, and it didn't feel weird or wrong. It felt natural.

"I had to do that, sorry." He put his forehead on mine.

"Do it again." I whispered.