The Bad Boy Returns

Chapter 39: Thin Line Between Love & Hate

KAT'S POV
When you're younger you always picture your life turning out a certain way. And for most people it never real ends up how they thought it would. I am no exception. I always thought I would leave the town and travel around the world, maybe visit Spain or go snorkeling in Caribbean. I wished that have experienced and adventure. If I was lucky maybe I would find love along the way. I just never thought I would find all of that right here in front of me.

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"What?" Looking up I widen my eyes at him. He moves even closer to me, if that were possible. Our noses are almost touching and our chests are moving up and down at the same time. His eyes flicker between mine as if he were trying to find all the answers  in my eyes.  "It's true." His voice is low and shaky. He grips my hand with a overwhelming ache. He seems so nervous, a lot different from his usual self. "Ever since the day I told everyone you started your period." He lightly chuckles, lifting his hand from mine to my cheek. I smile fondly at the once wretched memory. "I watched you crying and I felt so bad about what I did that I would beat up any guy that would laugh at you or make fun of you." He achingly admits, gingerly stroking my cheeks with his thumb. I lift my eyebrows at him, widening my eyes. "That's why no one made fun of me that day. That was you?" I mumble, finally meeting his longing eyes. He nods, staring at me with an intensity that could burn through my skull. The edge of his lip starts to curl up as he watches me replay the memory.
I begin to look through all my memories trying to see how many times he was actually protecting me, even though most times he also caused the danger. Let me tell you it was many times. I never realized how protective he actually was to me. I didn't even see it because of all the anger that blinded me. He was actually helping me in ways I just understood.

I rack my brain trying to find the right thing to say. I can't filter my emotions and they're all flooding my mind. My eyes move around wildly as I try to process.
"Hey." I'm pulled out of my madness to see Shane giving me a small smirk and caressing my hair, pushing it back. He gives me the most loving look I have ever seen etched on his face. It's almost blinding.
"You like me?" I whisper as though it were a top secret only for our ears. Maybe it was... Only for our ears. It was something that we shared, only the two of us.

His smile grows so genuine and captivating. "Yes. For a long time." His voice has a hint of want in it. "I'm surprised you couldn't tell." He scrunches his eyebrows, shaking his head lightly.
"I thought maybe you did but I wasn't sure. Everyone from your mom to Nikki said you liked me. Even Alex told me. I didn't know for sure and I didn't want to assume because I was falling in love with you and I really didn't want to." I admit against my better judgement. I wince, wondering how he'll take my honesty.
The last thing I expected him to do was laugh, like really laugh. He throws his head back, his mouth widening to show his hidden dimples. He looks back at me his eyes practically sparkling. I watch him with a mix of fear and excitement wondering what could be going on in that head of his. "I know you didn't want to fall in love with me." He says with a smile still tugging at his lips. "I'm sorry." He smiles. He apologized for making me fall in love with him, how peculiar.
The last thing he seemed was surprised.
"Why aren't you surprised that I like you." I ask flat out, curious. His smiles grows again, as he continues to stroke my cheeks. "I kind of thought you liked me too, but I wasn't sure. I just really hoped you did." He says, his eyebrow raising. He seemed to have gained that air of confidence back somewhere during our conversation. "So you aren't shocked?" I ask just trying to make sure I'm getting this right.
"No. I'm just happy." He says softly, his hot breath fanning my face lightly. I nod not knowing how to react. This is all so foreign to me I don't know how to react. I have never felt so intensely about anyone before, I guess there really is a thin line between love and hate. In this case that line was practically nonexistent at one point.
I can't process it all at once. I fell in love with Shane Winters. Who would've thought in a million years that this was even a possibility in my life. To find out that the guy who once tormented me was actually in love with me.
As I finally decide to take it all in I look up at Shane to see him admiring me. I finally smile so genuine and so true because I'm happy. It's as if nothing bad had ever happened or would ever happen again.
Feeling a surge of fearlessness overcome me I wrap my arms around his neck and press my trembling lips against his. He gasps for a second in surprise before leaning into the kiss. He wraps his arms around my body pulling me against his chest tightly. His soft lips encase mine as we move in sync. I feel him smile against my lips, causing an aching shiver to move through my body. We eventually pull away, both smiling from ear to ear. There was no need to say anything because we knew exactly what we were thinking. He leans his face against mine, sprinkling small pecks on my face. He kisses my jaw line, before looking back at me. I peck his lips once more not able to help myself. Smiling he drags me into a sweet embrace, wrapping his arms tightly around my body. I wrap mine around his waist, my face buried in his chest. I begin laughing lightly, my body rumbling against his. "What?" I hear a hint of a smile in his voice as he lightly brushed his fingers up and down my back.
I lift my head, resting my chin on his shoulder. "I'm just happy."

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Hand in hand we finally reach my home after arguing about how late it was. Reaching the front door, he lightly pushes me against it, lifting his hand against the frame of the door. He plays with a strand of loose hair twirling it between his fingers. He slowly leans down pecking my nose then lips again before locking eyes with me. I play with his fingers still in awe at how this happened. He kisses me one more time before, looking determined.
"On the first day as boyfriend, for lack of a better term, I have a request for you." He says dramatically in a booming voice. After shushing him I ask him what it is, laughing. His face turns serious and that when I know to listen. "Talk to Brit." He says simply, still playing with the ends of my hair. "Why do you want me to do that?" I sigh.
"Because it's making you both unhappy acting like this to each other and I want you to be happy." He says, brushing my hair back softly. "I am happy." I whisper, locking eyes with him. "With me but not with her. I know it's hard for you to forgive her after everything but you should at least talk to her." He suggests. I nod in surrender. "I know.  I need to talk to her, you're right." I admit. "It's rare but it happens sometimes." He jokes, pulling me into yet another kiss. "Okay, I've got to get in." I mumble. He groans as I break away from the kiss. "Okay okay...goodnight." He hugs me sweetly. "Goodnight Shane." I smile at him. I turn to open the door feeling his presence still behind me. He watched until I am safely inside my house before he leaves. Making my way to my bedroom, I shake my head smiling like an absolute idiot. I didn't realize how much he meant to until now. It's amazing how something like this can blossom from what felt like hatred and embarrassment.
Who would've thought, Shane Winters is in love with me.

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A/N
I hope you liked this chapter!  It's was short but meaningful :)
It's finally official they're together !! Woohoo!! But there's more to come!

Please comment your thoughts on this chapter!!!
Thank for reading :)