Inside | Shane Harte

26 | We need to talk

When I open my eyes the next morning, the first thing I see is the bureau with the drawers completely outdrawn. I smile to myself as I feel an arm sneaking up over my waist.

"Good morning" Shanes raucous morning voice says, and I turn around in the bed to face him.

"Oh, you're awake" I exclaim and he chuckles.

"No, I'm still sleeping"

I roll my eyes as he climbs out of bed and walks over to the dresser. He opens the drawer and rummages through it, probably looking for something to wear. I sit up in the bed on my way to get up as well, when I realise that I'm only wearing panties. Shane notices and chuckles.

"Here, you can take my shirt" he says and throws me his from yesterday. It still smells like him, that familiar strong mint odour.

"Thanks" I mumble and pull the slightly too big shirt over my head. He looks at me wearing his shirt with hungry eyes before snapping himself out of it again.

"So, what are we doing today?" he asks while putting one of Trevor's shirts on.

I shrug and lay back down on the bed. I can't believe he's really this nice, caring person right now. I knew he had it in him, but I still never thought that this side, this 'version' of him would come out anytime soon.

"Are you nervous about the concert?" I ask him, and his eyes meet mine with a small smile before he walks up to the bed and places himself beside me. I turn to the side and face him.

"It will only make it harder if you're nervous" he says while poking and dragging his fingers gently across my face. "Don't worry, you'll be the best performer in the whole show"

I lift an eyebrow suspiciously.

"I don't think so..." I start put he places a finger on my lips.

"Kayla. You've got the best voice that I've ever heard. You have nothing to worry about" he says with a serious face and I smile. He really means it. I lean in and kiss him.

This time, I take the demand and kiss him harder and faster instantly. His hands sneak around my waist and I roll on top of him. Our tongues meet which develops into heavy makeout, when suddenly the door opens.

"... Fuck" Trevor exclaim as he casually walks inside the room, making me jump and sit down next to Shane in the bed. He stays lying down and places his hands behind his neck to imply that he's comfortable.

"Sorry" Trevor says obviously trying not to laugh as he slowly walks outside and closes the door.

I sigh and am just about to rise up from bed when I feel how a pair of heavily muscular arms grabs me and pulls me back into his embrace.

"What are you doing?" I ask.

"Where are you going?"

"I need to go get some water"

"No, stay here for a bit first" he demands softly, and I can feel him smiling against my neck. I sigh.

"Please, I need water. I have the worst headache ever" I say while trying to pull away from his grasp but he gently pulls me back in.

"How do I know you'll come back? You might as well bail on me"

I smile and turn around in the bed, facing him.

"Shane, I'm just going to get some water. I'll come back in a minute, I promise" I smile and he nods sarcastically serious making me grin. He gives me a fast kiss on the lips and I'm good to go.

I stand up beside the bed, walk outside the room and along the long hallway. There's litter everywhere and the smell of alcohol is overwhelming, making me cough.

When I've walked down the stairs I meet Trevor in the kitchen, making breakfast. It's no more clean here, except for the smell that's substituted to the inviting smell of food.

"So, you and Shane then?" he asks while turning the fried eggs in the pan. I open the cabinets and grab a glass.

"What do you mean 'me and Shane'? And, no offence, why do you care?" I ask while filling up the glass with water. He half smiles and takes a few steps towards me.

"Oh, I just want you to be 110% focused during the last 2 weeks before the concert, that's all" he says walking dangerously close and staring deeply into my eyes, making me feel uncomfortable.

"Um-"

"Kayla, are you coming or what?" Shane's voice interrupts me and I couldn't be more thankful. I turn towards the stairs where he's standing, and I can easily tell from here that his jaw is clenched.

"Yup" I say and walk away fast towards Shane with my hands holding tightly around the glass of water. We quickly walk up the stairs and into Trevor's room.

"What did you guys do?" Shane asks right when the door closes behind him.

"What do you mean? We were just talking" I say and take a sip from the water.

"I could tell that you felt discomfort as he walked closer to you" he says, and I wait a few seconds to answer.

"He was just asking..."

"About what?"

"About... Us" I tell him and he scratches the back of his head. I take another sip of the water and feel how the headache slowly disappears.

"Oh..." he pauses, "well, he doesn't have to give a damn about us"

I'm just about to ask him what the exact definition of 'us' is, when he walks up to the door again.

"I'll be right back" he mutters and walks out. I take a deep breath and think about us for a moment. What are we according to myself? To be honest, I really don't know. Maybe I shouldn't expect him to know the answer to that question either then. But, what if he's just playing me and that's the reason he dodges the question every time? Suddenly, the door flies open again, waking me up from my own thoughts. Shane walks in, panting.

"So, now what?" I ask him, and his eyes light upz.

"We need to talk" he says and I nod. "I don't want this... Thing, to come out yet"

I raise an eyebrow. 'Thing'?

"Why?"

"You know that me and Bridget have made out and stuff, and she has feelings for me. I want to tell her first so she doesn't go all crazy over you, Kayla"

"Okay" I simply tell him. I don't really know what more to say. I should have a watching eye over this whole situation, but he actually feels genuin in what he says. I'll have to believe him in this, even though many would've said that he has another reason for wanting our... 'Thing' private.