The Girl Next Door

28. Walls That Can't Hide the Pain

Astrid's POV

We parked in his garage, and before I even registered what was happening, we were back at it—our unfinished business from earlier. The kiss.

It was so sudden, so unexpected, and yet, I didn't pull away. I didn't want to.

I know it's quick—too quick, even—but I can't help myself. I can't pretend this isn't real.

The way he cupped my cheek, his hand so big it nearly covered my entire face, yet somehow gentle and deliberate, sent a shiver down my spine. His touch was careful, as though he was afraid I might vanish if he held on too tightly.

I didn't know what was happening to me. My heart was racing, and every logical thought screamed for me to slow down. But then there was Alex—steady, sure, and looking at me like I was the only person in the world.

His lips moved against mine, soft and warm, and for a moment, everything else disappeared. All the noise, all the doubts—it was just us.

I pulled back slightly, catching my breath, but my eyes locked on his. There was something in his gaze that made it impossible to look away, something that made my chest tighten.

"I can't believe we're doing this," I whispered, barely audible.

His thumb brushed against my cheek, and he smiled softly, his voice low and steady. "Neither can I. But I don't want to stop."

And neither did I.

"You should get inside," he murmured against my lips, his voice low and breathless, but his mouth never fully leaving mine.

I couldn't help but smile, a soft laugh escaping me. "Yes, I should," I whispered back, though I made no effort to move.

Instead, I leaned in closer, my hands finding their way to the collar of his shirt as if anchoring myself to this moment, to him. We both knew I wasn't going anywhere just yet.

His lips curved into a grin, and I could feel it as much as I could see it when I finally opened my eyes. "You're terrible at following directions," he teased, his voice full of warmth.

"And you're terrible at letting me go," I shot back playfully, tilting my head just slightly, daring him.

He chuckled softly, his forehead resting against mine. "Fair enough."

For a moment, everything else faded—the world outside, the ticking clock, even the chill of the night air creeping into the garage. It was just us, caught in this perfect, stolen moment neither of us wanted to end.

We only stopped when his phone rang for the fourth time, the sound breaking the spell between us.

He groaned, resting his forehead against mine as his phone buzzed insistently in his pocket. "Of course, it's them," he muttered, clearly annoyed.

I bit back a laugh, still catching my breath. "I think you should answer that," I said, smiling up at him, my voice teasing but soft.

He sighed dramatically, his reluctance obvious. "They have the worst timing," he complained, leaning in to give me one last, lingering kiss before finally pulling away to fish his phone out of his pocket.

As he answered the call, I couldn't help but smile to myself, my heart still racing.

"What?" Alex said into the phone, his tone sharp and impatient as he answered.

I could hear the boys' voices immediately through the speaker. Matt's was the first to come through, loud and clear. "Where are you?"

Alex sighed, already sounding exasperated. "Outside my house," he answered shortly. "What is it?" He was clearly in a hurry to get rid of them, which made me stifle a laugh.