Can this be?

Chapter 22

Alex's POV

"Who's Lucas?" She asks and I immediately tense up but keep my control on the steering wheel so we make it back safely.

I really never was one to open up about this, like to anyone. I've always been happy, cheery, funny, and basically happy-go-lucky.

Nobody except for my best friend Kelley knows about what happened all of those times. But she found out the hard way, I really wasn't planning on telling her.

I actually never told anyone and I was planning to keep it that way for a while. I know I should tell people, but I really don't want the pity and in all honesty, I couldn't risk it.

But should I tell her?

I don't want her to think I'm broken tho, even tho if you know about me, you will know that In some ways I actually am.

But I want to tell her, there's just something in her, something in the way that she presented herself to me, something in the way she makes me feel, that just makes me want to tell her. Cause I don't think she'll judge, but instead be there for me, be there to protect me when I need her to be there to protect me.

But I don't know how to tell her.

"Um, he's just an old friend." I say but she can tell that I'm lying.

"Alex." She says warningly.

"What? How do you even know who he is?" I ask her.

"Well, because I heard you mention him earlier when I was about to scare you. Why are you trying to lie to me?" She asks and I can hear the hurt in her voice.

I don't want her to feel this way, especially since she probably thinks that me and him have something but in reality, I'm terrified of him. But I can't tell her that. Not yet at least.

"It's something really personal Tobin. I trust you, more than you know, but I can't talk about this right now." I say as I turn on the intersection.

She stays quiet for a couple minutes and I think she's finally let it go. Until she brings it up again.

"Alex... Are you.. And him.. Like involved with each other? Cause if that's the case here, then please spare me the heartbreak cause I'm not going to move on with our relationship if you're with him. I don't know if you've noticed, but I can be pretty selfish, and you're not something I'm willing to share with someone else. So if you're with him, tell me now before I actually find out the hard way." She says and starts to tear up.

Damn. I didn't know I actually meant that much to her. I never knew she cared about me that much, but now that I do know, I don't want her to lose those feelings.

"No. God no Tobin. I'm not involved with him, by any means. But um," I start. I sigh and decide to open up a bit. "He's destroyed part of me. And I am not the perfect person anyone thinks I am. I saw him today and I just felt all of those horrible memories flash back. The memories that still haunt me to this day Tobin. And I can't get rid of them." I say as I start to cry.

We're in the parking lot parked already so I don't have to worry about being in a cars way.

"Alex. I'm so sorry." She says sincerely as she gets out of my car.

Was she seriously leaving me?!? Unbelievable. That really shows how much she cares about me.

I put my head in my hands and start to sob into my hands.

Suddenly I hear my car door swing open and I'm being pulled up into a bear hug.

Tobin.

I feel so protected In her arms, so safe, so secure. And I've never felt this way with Anyone before.