Beautifully Broken

Chapter 6

We eventually pull apart and I just stare. His smile is even wider and brighter than I remember.

He swims me over to the edge of the lake and sits me down. He brings himself up and is shivering. "Here. Use my hoodie...." I say handing it to him.

He smiles," Thanks, but it's too small for me..." he chuckles.

"Right." I say shyly. I stand up and ring out my hair. He hasn't said anything about the kiss, which makes me worry. We walk to his truck and jump in.

"Where do you live again so I can take you home?" he smiles

"Holden, I can walk..." I say quietly.

"No.. just let me take you home. It's what gentlemen do." he smiles.

"345 Victors Lane." I say to him and he plugs it in his phone. We ride about 10 minutes in dead silence and then we arrive at my house. I open my door and grab my skateboard. He follows behind me. I knock on my door and Dad opens. "Hey Aub." he smiles as I walk inside.

And I see his jaw drop.

"What were you doing with my daughter?" he says in an agitated tone.

"We were just out and about. She showed me around town." he says.

He nods.

My dad knew who he was, plainly from looks.

"Here's your daughter's beanie, sir." he says handing it to him.

"Bye, Hawthorne." he says frowning. He turns to me and i try to avoid it by running upstairs, but it doesn't work.

"Aubrey!" I hear

I trail back down the stairs and face my parents.

My mom looks more happy, I guess because Gale is back. Dad looks like he's about to kill me.

"Here's your beanie." he tosses it to me. I take it and bunch it in my hand. My dad walks away and mom walks toward me.

"Aubrey, your father is just having a hard time. This subject still gets to him, but I've recently talked to Gale. I knew he was in town and he told me he had a son. He talked forever about him and I really think this one is a keeper."

"Mom I don't even like hi--" my mom cuts me off by raising a brow.

"You dont?" she says chuckling

I just blush. "Kinda..."

"Good. This kid is just like you, I think you'll like him." she says and walks away.

Yes mom, I do like him.

A lot.

"Goodnight!" she yells.

"Night!" I yell back.

I walk past my brothers room, empty.

For the 4th year in a row.

I plop on my bed at the memory and text Holden. "You home?"

"Just got here."

"So did you....feel anything in the kiss?" I ask nervously

"Depends."

"Good feelings..." I say.

"Then yes Aubrey. I did."

My stomach drops.

"Holden."

"Aubrey."

"I did too.." I say

with that, I fall asleep and wake up to the best surprise. A text from Holden.

"Aubrey look out your window.." it says