You + Me = Us (now published so sample only)

Chapter 4

Chapter 4 – Old friends meet new friends

Shanay

Everything in my life was going wonderfully well until the day Joel Carter became a part of my life again. Link and I had gone back to normal, even though he hinted at us going further, but I still wasn't quite sure.

He was my best friend and it terrified me that we could destroy that. As much as I had a crush on him, it scared me to take things any further. I thought about our kiss far more often than I knew I should. He never pushed me and for that, I was grateful.

"Are you ready yet?" Link called out from my bedroom so I looked out the door and poked out my tongue. "Geez, Shay, we're only going to watch a movie." He teased.

"Fine, then let's go." I huffed.

I spied my figure in the mirror but that left me feeling a bit awkward and grumpy. No matter what I tried on, it all looked terrible today. I was having one of those totally blah days where nothing felt or looked good on, at least to me.

"Shay, you look fine. In fact you look hot." He told me with a grin, so I shrugged and followed him out.

We had no movie theatre in our town but Ali had a huge flat screen television, so we were heading to her house for the evening. Her parents were leaving as we were going into their house, so we greeted them before following the voices into the kitchen.

Ali and Liam sounded like they were having an argument when we entered. I was so about to turn around and head back home except that Ali spotted us standing there. Ugh, talk about awkward!

"Hey, Shanay. Hey Link. Just ignore him; he's acting like an idiot." She said as she ushered us into the room.

"Okay, um, do you want me to make the popcorn?" I asked noticing the microwave stuff sitting on the bench.

"Sure, I'll be back in a minute okay." She said unsteadily as she dragged Liam into another room. I bit my lip and looked back at Link.

"Do you think we should leave?" I asked as my awkwardness increased.

"Only if they start yelling, that's when we politely make our exit." He joked as he ran a finger across my arm.

I tried to prevent the shiver from surfacing but I couldn't. For some strange reason whenever he touched me now, it made my skin heat and tingle even if it was only an innocent gesture.

"You know you're torturing me, Shay." He whispered but in the quiet of the kitchen, it came across as a shout.

I glanced at him before shoving a popcorn packet in the microwave and turning it on. Anything to distract myself from his words. He pulled me back against him, and I gasped as his lips touched my neck and then trailed up to my ear.

"Link." Okay, so I tried for firm but it only came out breathy.

"You are the only one for me, Shay, ever. Even when I'm old and grey you'll be in my thoughts just like you are every minute of my day right now." His honest words made me gulp, not knowing what to say back.

I heard a squeal and pushed away from him while wondering how much longer I could resist him. Jess almost fell into the room as Jake laughingly pushed her. We were miles apart by the time they noticed us but the tension between us still hung in the air. Jess eyebrows went up in question but I shrugged as the popcorn started popping.

"So what movies did you guys get? No horror I hope. You know I hate that stuff." I broke the silence.

"Ugh, we can't all like chick flicks, Shanay." Jake grumbled at me.