A New Beginning • Emmerdale

Chapter 17: "Im Not Going To Hurt You Again"

KENNEDY'S POV

I was pondering around in the kitchen stealing gazes at Noah every now and again, just as Debbie walked in.

"Hey" she smiled, it slowly turning into a question when she sees Noah on the sofa indulged in his video game. I give her a wave and roll my eyes in Noah's direction.

"Wha-" she starts but stops as she watches Noah raise his glass, clicking his fingers not moving his eyes from the screen. I roll my eyes yet again as Debbie frowns at me, I grab the glass giving her a look as if to say 'I'll explain later' in which she nods.

"I'll come back later" she nods and whispers to me before quickly rushing out. I let a breath of air out as I continue to get Noah his drink, handing it to him, he gives me a sly smirk.

Finishing it not too long later, I hear another snap of his fingers. I throw the tea towel down as I take the cup from his hands again, flicking him in the back of the head just as someone knocks on the door. Keeping hold of the cup I open the door to see Joe, he goes in to kiss me but I pull away opening the door more.

"Look" I say motioning to Noah as he turns his head making eye contact with the boy on my sofa before walking in.

"Hey" Noah says, placing the controller down smiling up at Joe.

"Hey" Joe says looking at Noah, then to me sounding a little uneasy.

"It's alright" he begins "I already know" he said, still with a beaming smirk across his face.

"Yes, and he's using it to blackmail us" I say looking up at Joe.

"How?" He questioned, Noah shrugged

"I'll tell mum" he says smugly. "I get to hang out with you, here or at yours. Whenever I want" He finishes, me just wanting to smack the smirk off his face.

"You do know mum is going to go crazy like always" I say as Joe looks over at me. "Why can't we just leave her out of this?" I ask bringing my free hand up as if to shrug.

"Because.. she's my leverage" Noah says proudly, sitting up a little more.

"How do you even know that word?" I question, as he shifts in his seat smiling at Joe. Of course. I look at Joe, as he places his gaze on me for a second before turning back to face Noah.

"You created this little beast. You fix it" I say giving him a quick smile before heading back to the kitchen, feeling him watch me. He bites the inside of his cheek before letting out a sigh and joining Noah on the sofa.

"After everything mum has put you and me through" I say as I walk out of the kitchen and sit on the sofa next to Noah, gazing at the TV screen looking at the game he and Joe were playing "you really want to use her to hurt us again?" I ask him, as I cross my legs putting my hands between them.

"I don't wanna" he says gazing away from the screen for a bit looking just away from my eyes.

"Well then don't?" I say as I remove my hands from my legs placing on the table just in front of me, and the other on the sofa.

"Well will you share Joe?" He asked looking me in my eyes this time.

"Hello? Right here" Joe says looking up from the controller. Both of us ignoring him again, he places the controller down on the arm of the chair.

"Fine. You can see him three afternoons after school" I say pointing at him, dropping my hand when I had finished speaking.

"And he cant cancel" he said confidently.

"Still here" Joe says again, after a few seconds he looks away rolling his eyes.

"And you have to stop being so obnoxious" I nod at Noah, both of us letting Joe's comments go in one ear, and out the other.

"Cool" He said with attitude, I say it back with the same tone.

"Now let's get you home before she panics thinking you're missing" I say as I move to get up.

"Like she'd care, I texted her not long ago saying I was sleeping here" he shrugged.

"Er, no your not" I fold my arms looking at Joe, as he made a face of amusement at me.

"Why? There's plenty of room, I'm sure Debs wouldn't mind" he smiled sweetly.

"Fine. Let me just check with her that it's okay first" I say reaching into my back pocket pulling my phone out.

"If she cared she would've picked me up ages ago, she doesn't give a stuff about any of us kids" he said shaking his head, scrunching his face up. I look at him a bit shocked, a little upset also, as I look over at Joe, he looks at me with sympathy. I look away from his eyes as I head to the kitchen grabbing myself a drink, allowing Noah to carry on with his game.

I jump a little as I feel a hand lightly touch my shoulder, turning around my eyes meet Joe's as he moves his hand from my shoulder to my upper arm.

"You okay" He asked quietly, wanting to try keep this conversation between us two.

"Yeah" I smile as I place my drink on the side, placing both my hands on his chest. "What Noah said, you know, brought back some memories" I whisper the last part so that's it's pretty much inaudible, but judging by Joe's look, he knew exactly what I meant.

"You're okay now" he whispered back, slowly lifting the bottom of my shirt, as he runs his thumb over one of the scars I have on my hip "I'm not going to hurt you again" he said reconnecting our eyes as he lets a tear slip.

"I love you Joe. So so much" I say wiping his tear and bringing my lips to his, standing on my tiptoes a little to reach his height, grabbing hold of his face with my hands, pulling him as close as I could. His hands going to the back of my neck, and the other on my face.

"Ew" we pulled away hearing Noah's remark. Both letting out a little laugh.

"I love you" Joe says with a huge smile. I bring myself as close as I could get, placing my arms around his neck.

"I love me too" I joked jumping up on the counter, Joe standing between my legs.

"Guess you've sorted it" we both looked over, seeing Debbie leaning against the wall, holding a big smug smile on her face. I jump down off the counter.

"Noah's staying tonight by the way" I change the subject quickly.

"Okay, how come?" She asked me as I shrugged.

"I'll tell ya later" I say laughing "I have a lot to say" she nods smiling.

"And him" she nods towards Joe "is he staying?" I looked over at Joe, him giving me no response.

"No, I'm going to stay his" I say quiet so Noah can't hear, leaning my back against his chest, one of his hands grabbing mine. Debbie winked at us.

"Be safe" she laughed before joining Noah on the sofa, I roll my eyes quickly grabbing my bag off of the counter mouthing 'quick' to Joe as we silently left the house. Wanting some time to ourself. As we entered Home Farm, Joe grabbed my hand, smiling as he led me upstairs.