Us *Editing*

CHAPTER 18 (Pic of Carter)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~> PIC: Carter

Chapter 18

Arelie nervously chewed on the bottom of her lip, she looked ahead and sometimes at Trystan. He held her hand right now and would give it a gentle squeeze when he saw her over reacting. “Calm down,” he said.

Elie just nodded. “Are you sure, Elie?” Trystan asked again, Elie turned to him and chuckled.

“I guess this means I’m not the only one nervous, huh?” she asked. Trystan shrugged it off and looked straight ahead. Elie still bit the bottom of her lip.

Trystan had admitted that he was taking her to see his gang and, at first, Arelie was in shock. She didn’t know if she should go see his gang after her first reaction, but then this was Trystan’s sort-of-family, this may mean more to him than he was letting on.

So, in the end she agreed to see his gang. Trystan beamed, but quickly hid it, but he had a hidden smile every while. He was squeezing the life out of her hand and she silently touched his tense shoulder. He looked at her and apologetically loosened his hold on her hand, but didn’t let go.

They finally arrived at the house that Trystan lived at. Elie dragged in a shaky breath. This was it, she was seeing Trystan’s gang again, this time, though, there would be no running and arguing – maybe – but now she’d have correctly collected herself.

Trystan got out of the car and came up beside her and gave her a wry smile. “No running out on me, now. I don’t think I can take it a second time,” he sighed.

Arelie gave him a lingering kiss, “Not again.” She promised. He gave her a faint grin and smashed his lips to hers and kissed her with power she didn’t know where it came from.

This time, the kiss was sweet and tender, full of assurance. Arelie’s heart picked up a beat that made her giddy and press closer to him. She wanted him, forever. She wanted this with Trystan, her heart swelled even more when they pulled back and she saw his desire-filled eyes.

“I love you,” he said gently. Arelie put a hand on his cheek and smiled. She pecked him on the lips once more.

“I love you, too.” She smiled. He took her hand once more and lead her away from the car, they started towards the house that she had seen last time. She looked up at Trystan and saw that he, too, was focused on the house in front of them.

They got to the front door and they both smiled at each other in anticipation. Once he unlocked the door, he took her hand again and led her into the house. It was just as she remembered before.

It was modernized but it held memories. It was evident by how the worn furniture looked. It was kept in a good manner and made the place seem more homey. Once again, she and Trystan walked on in a group of guys in the kitchen.

Some were playfully arguing and some were eating. Trystan cleared his throat and they all turned their attention to Arelie. There was a lengthening silence.

“Well, hello there pretty lady.” A boy with blonde hair and blue eyes commented. Trystan raised his brow.

“Boys, this is Arelie, my girlfriend.” Trystan gave a meaningful glance to everyone, basically saying – she’s mine, OFF LIMITS.

Some boys sighed, others just grinned.

“I’m Kyle, then.” The blonde said, grabbing Elie in a bear hug. Arelie stiffened but then relaxed when she realized he was taking that as an answer to hug tighter. “Welcome to our messed up family.”

Some boys grinned.

Another boy came up – Arelie couldn’t call them boys . . . they actually looked a lot older than that, older than Trystan. She’d have to ask him about that later. “I’m Daren, the cute one,” he said, smiling confidently, Elie couldn’t help but grin at his cockiness.