Tear Away

Chapter 9

The next few days passed in a blur of packing boxes, bubble wrap and sellotape. Scarlett had been living with the boys for about 6 months and she was amazed at the amount of belongings she'd acquired. And this time they were things that she wanted to take with her.

"Gonna miss you girl." Said Tom, coming into her bedroom carrying three empty glasses and putting them on the floor. Rhys followed with a bottle of bubbly that he shaking as he walked into the room.

"Don't shake it" Scarlett and Tom both tried to grab the bottle, but as Scarlett's hand reached the bottle the cork pooped and showered the room with a spray of cheap sticky bubbles. Tom grabbed the glasses and tried to catch as much as they could before Scarlett's clothes needed re washing.

"Thanks Rhys," she punched him on the shoulder.

He laughed, "you're welcome darling" With a now half empty bottle in one hand and a half filled glass in the other he threw his arms around her. "I'm glad I never tried to have sex with you." He said into her hair.

"Emmm, thanks..." She said with trepidation. "I... think."

"Well, if I did, you would still be madly in love with me and Mark would never have got a look in" he gave her a cheeky grin and thrust a glass into her hand.

They all sat down in the middle of Scarletts boxes and toasted to the new chapter in her life she was starting in the morning.

"I may be moving out but I owe you guys a lot, includig Craig," she said nudging Tom. "Still keeping my fingers crossed for you both." Tom raised his eye brows and downed his drink.

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Driving her belongings to what would be her new home Scarlette couldn't believe how different her life was, after only a few short months. This time the car was bursting with boxes and she was going to have to make a second trip to collect it all. She wasn't crying this time, as she knew she was making happy memories, she was leaving friends but this time she knew they would be friends for a very long time. And it was a mutual friendship. Moving in with Mark was more than she'd ever hoped for. She knew that he loved her for being her and not what he could get out of her. And the black cloud that had been hanging over her head was getting smaller and smaller as each day passed. It would disappear one day and she'd never have to think about it or talk about it again.

She arrived at Marks house with the last few boxes and fell into his arms.

"I love you." He said looking down at her and kissed her nose.

"I love you too." She felt a huge wave of relief wash over her. She pulled back from him so she could close the front door and shut the outside world out of her life for good.

"Come with me." He turned around and lead her up the stairs.

"But I have boxes still in the car..."

"That can wait. Hush now" He had a gleam in his eye as he glanced at her and suddenly she was excited.

The lights on the first floor were dimmed, the curtains were all closed and she thought she smelled lavender.

"What's going on?"

He gave her a massive smile, turned around and threw his arms around her.

"I wanted to make you feel relaxed in this home. I know this house has been in my family for a long time but it's now our home together. I love you." He kissed her, a deep, firm kiss that sent tingles down her spine.