Brooklyn (A Paul Lahote Story)

Chapter Twenty Four

A/N: I changed the ending the of the last chapter. If you haven't already, re read the chapter before reading this one (:

"What do you mean?" I huff, frustration clear in my voice.

I've been on the phone with the insurance companies all morning. Yes, I said companies. I've been dealing with both health and car insurance trying to get my dad and, cue eye roll, Paige coverage in the accident.

"I mean that the car accident was completely Mr. Hudson's fault. The other driver-"

"I don't care about what the other driver said. My dad is unconscious, in the hospital and he deserves the chance to give his side of the story before you start assuming that it was all him!" I shout, slamming my fist on a side table.

I'm at Emily's and have been staying here since Paul and I almost went a little too far. From what I've heard around school, Paul isn't someone to fall for. He is a 'man whore' - what he is commonly known as, anyways.

"Ma'am-"

"No, unless the next words out of your mouth are "we will wait for Mr. Hudson to wake from his coma before pinning the blame on him" I don't want to hear it. Call me when you can tell me that." I spit before pressing the 'end' button and tossing my phone on the couch.

I groan, rubbing my face out of frustration. I readjust my glasses, fixing my pinned back hair before making my way to the kitchen. I open the fridge and grab a bottle of water, twisting the cap to open before taking a sip of water.

My back finds a spot against the counter, allowing me to put all my weight against the counter and shut my eyes. I place the bottle down on the marble before tugging my knitted cardigan closer to my curvy frame. If we were still in Brooklyn this- 

My thought was interrupted by the sound of a door opening and several foot steps hitting the hardwood floor. Voices fill the quiet room yet I keep my eyes shut, trying to find the calm in the storm.

Someone approaches me. I don't know who and, frankly, I don't care who.

"Dani, you okay?" A warm voice fills my ears softly, making my heart skip a beat at the sound and my stomach turn into knots.

I open my eyes, a soft sigh escaping my plump lips as I stare at the ceiling. "Define okay." My voice quiet as my eyes find Paul's.

My eyes stare into his, my tense muscles relaxing as I finally find my calm. No matter how hard I try to push him away, everything in me is screaming no. Little do I know, I really need him to have my peace.

His soft smile makes my heart skip again and that's when I direct my gaze elsewhere. 

Gotta avoid him, Dani. I mentally hiss at myself before scanning the room to find a way out of this house and away from him. That's when my eyes find my sweet husky's blue ones and I smile.

"Skie!" I excitedly say as I grab her leash and my Adidas sneakers. "Wanna go for a walk?" I quickly add as I put on the white shoes before approaching my wagging puppy.

In one swift motion, I connect the leash to her sky blue collar before guiding her out the door.

"Be back soon!" I shout as I shut the door, leaving the small wooden house as my feet meet the dirt ground.

I inhale the piney scent. The sound of leaves brushing together as the wind finds it's way through the gaps of the trees and flutter of wings as birds enter a race to see who could fly the fastest enters my ears. The cold whether is nipping at my arms through my cream sweater and vintage tee. You'd think that it would be super cold out but it actually feels nice. 

Peace and quiet.

My pup gently tugs on her leash, kindly indicating to me that she actually wants to walk around and enjoy the outdoors in her walk rather than standing in the middle of the driveway so I let her guide me around the dirt trail just a few steps away from Emily's.

My dark jeans keep my legs warm as another burst of wind comes through the trees and animals scatter around the fallen leaves. As we walk, I couldn't help but think back to when I came across the dance studio one night as I was aimlessly walking around. I wonder if I'll ever find that studio again...

"Would you like some company?" A husky voice gently asks behind me, making me jump out of my skin and snap my head in the direction of the voice.

My eyes meet Paul's and my fear of a stranger was completely washed away. I couldn't help but feel my heart flutter as my eyes stare into his. 

That's one way to NOT avoid him. Good job.

I mentally roll my eyes as I smile at Paul, shrugging my shoulders before turning around and carrying on with my walk.

"I suppose... Were you following me?" I investigate, trying to understand him some more and why he's been hot and cold with me since day one.

"Maybe I was." He jokingly says, his pace meeting mine as we take a casual walk around the forest.

I keep my mouth shut after that, needing to find a way to keep him at arms length while he's so close to me that I can feel his body heat radiating off of me.

"Any word on your dad?" He barely asks over a whisper.

Ever since the accident and finding out that my dad fell into a coma, everyones been walking on eggshells with me. Somedays I just keep quiet and leave the house to go visit my dad, begging him to wake up and come back to me. Other days Emily finds me crying in my room in fear that I may lose my dad, my only family left.

I guess she's been keeping the boys in the loop.

"No. I'm going to visit him at the hospital later, though." I slowly respond as the dirt trail leads us back to Emily's house.

"Want me to come and keep you company?"

It takes me a while to respond to his question. I don't know why but my heart is screaming yes while my head is screaming no. But eventually, I choose the latter.

"No, I'll be fine." I quickly say while a part of me breaks.

Got to avoid him at all costs.

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A/N: I'm back!!!

So sorry that this took so long to update...hopefully it was worth the wait! Anyways, leave your thoughts in the comment section below. I've missed reading them!

Until next chapter,

C