I Can't Keep Pretending

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Christian

By the time we get home Tess is completely exhausted. I can tell by the way she keeps forcing her eyes open when they start to flutter closed.

"Tess we're home, let's go inside. Your mom is home too. Do you want to tell her goodnight?"

Tess barely mumbles out a tired, "Yes, yeah let's to do that quickly before I fall asleep standing up."

Tess has been sleeping a lot lately. I know she had the time-zone change and the events of the past two days have been exhausting, but this still worries me.

When we walk inside Mrs. Ashton is waiting on the coach watching TV when she looks over and says, "There you guys are. I just wanted to stay up till you got home."

Tess walked over, hugged her, and yawned a goodnight. I did the same and followed Tess upstairs. Hopefully Tess will be too tired to have anymore nightmares.

Tessa

As we climb up the stairs I feel a second wind coming on. I turn to Christian and say, "Let's watch the action movie you got!"

"And have to watch you fall asleep during a movie the third time in the past two days? Yeah, uh no, not happening Tessie."

I know Christian is teasing. I could probably ask him walk through fire or go to the store to get me chocolate because I have a craving and he would.

"Well we have to watch it sometime, and I am not even that tired. I will go make us some snacks while you set it up?" I knew that would win him over. I will just go make us some popcorn and some coffee just to make sure we don't fall asleep this time.

"Alright fine Tess, but only because you're going to make me coffee and popcorn." I love how I didn't even have to say anything and Christian knew what the snacks would be.

"You got it. Set it up in my room will yah?" I said as I turned to go towards the kitchen.

Christian

I thought I was going to lose it at the ballpark. I don't know why I got so jealous, but as soon as that sleaze ball touched Tess I lost it. All I could think was mine, and I am usually not possessive at all. Even with Tess I typically don't see red when another guy has his hands on her. I am just glad I didn't let it ruin our evening. And yeah as much as I wanted to sock the guy in the face I stopped....for her.

I am just putting the DVD in when Tess comes up behind me and jumps on my back yelling, "BOO." If I am being honest I screamed like a little girl and almost wet my pants.

"Oh my gosh Tess, what are you trying to do give me a heart attack?" I pant out while she just laughs.

"Well if I knew you would scream like a 3-year-old I wouldn't have done it. Oh but your face, it was priceless." She is laughing so hard she's crying. I am just glad she is getting some of her tough as nails attitude back.

"Ha ha very funny, you do realize that I get to tickle you to death right?" I laugh out with a mischievous smile on my face. If there is one thing Tess hates, it's being tickled.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa Christian don't," but it's too late I already have her on the ground, "OH stop, stop, Christian please." She manages to wheeze out.

"You know the magic words Princess." I supply with a chuckle.

"No I won't say, oh stop, okay, okay fine. Christian will you please, you mighty beast, stop tickling me?"