Last Love

chapter 21

You didn't hurt me, Nate. You broke me. But you couldn't settle with only breaking my heart, you had to break my soul too. I can't even look, touch or kiss any one else. My thoughts are always revolving around you and it's not fair." I wipe a tear off my chubby cheek. "You've scared my soul, Nate, and it's just not fair."

            He stares at me in absolute silence. Maybe I just made a complete fool of myself, but I don't care. He should know just how badly he's damaged me because what he did wasn't right.

            "I know I do stupid things, Kate. It feels like we've had this fight too many times and I've only known you since the beginning of December. I know the issues I have isn't an excuse, I'm sorry."

            "You're right, you can't use issues as an excuse."

            "I know, I'm sorry. But I never slept with Casey, and I know how ignorant my comment was about rape after all that shit went down with you and Brad. I'm so sorry."

            I stare at my sore fee, too nervous to glance at his heavenly face.

            "I miss you, Kate..." His words hit me like a tidal wave and send me over the mess. I collapse in a messy heat. Steamy tears burn my cheeks as they roll down my face and stain my dress. As hard as I try to keep my mouth glued shut, the frightful sobs push their way through.

            Why do the people we love the most, hurt us the most? I am uncertain about a lot of things in this world, but I am certain that there will always be stars in the sky, waves in the ocean and a good book to be read. But most of all, I am certain that I am in love with Nate Mathers.

He pulls me into his arms and I burry myself in his bare chest. He always smells so sweet even though I know how salty he actually is. He plants a soft kiss on the crown of my head as he carries me inside and up the stairs into his bedroom.

Being huddled into Nate's arms makes me feel so protected and secure. His arms are the safest place in my entire world. Nothing can harm me in my safe place- nothing but Nate.

We sit down on his bed and he only releases me only to fetch me his old football hoodie that he knows I love so much.

"I'm sorry, baby. Please forgive me." He whispers into my hair. My weak body crawls into his lap, even though I'm far too big. His handsome arms cradle me as he rocks me back and fourth.

"Please forgive me, Kate." I look into his green apple eyes. He's got me wrapped around his finger. I nod slowly at him, unsure if I'm using it as a sign that I accept his apology or simply acknowledgment. Regardless, I feel a massive weight being lifted off my heaving body.

Nate inches down towards me slowly-testing the water. I tilt my chin upwards slightly. He reads my hint quickly and places a soft, sweet kiss on my lips. As much as I love our steamy make out sessions, there is something so incredibly intimate about a single kiss. The way he lips linger against mine but don't push for more, perfectly content with the present.

"Answer me, please. Can we have a fresh start?" He pleads.

"Nate we already have so many problems and we both come with so much baggage. Do you even think this, whatever this is, will work out?"

"I want this to work. I want us to work!" he squeezes me tightly, but I squirm out of his arms so I sit across from him on the bed and we're face to face.

"If you want a fresh start, everything needs to be out in the open. I need to know every little thing you've hidden from me."

"Casey is psycho, absolutely crazy. We dated for two weeks during my freshman year, before she moved to Edmonton. I ran into her at the mall and I guess she's moved back into town. She doesn't really know anyone so I invited her to Josh's party to introduce her to some people."