Good Intentions

Ch16.5: Text Messages

**unedited. This chapter was not planned for.. but I just felt like it had to be written**

Sean POV

The stress of the past two days was really starting to weight on me. I knew that this was going to be a delicate and difficult situation from the moment I first saw her. Without even knowing that she already knew the boys, I knew that I was in deep trouble. And it wasn't even because she was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen. There was just something about her that called to me in a way that no one else ever had. And the more I got to know her, the stronger that feeling became. Even at her lowest, she was a smart, capable, strong young woman. And damn if she wasn't sexy as all hell.

Groaning to myself, I twisted and reached over for my phone, begging it to ring. I still hadn't heard from her today. I knew better than to be worried, but I was a little hurt that she hadn't so much as text me back from earlier. Their morning had been a bit strained, but waking up with her in my arms was pure bliss. I remembered the feel of her curves pressing into me in all the right places. It had been so intoxicating listening to her little moans as she dreamt. Feeling her squirm in my arms and imagining how she must have been squirming in her dream. Knowing it had been me that she had been dreaming of was a heady feeling. It made me feel powerful, like a true man, for the first time in my life. I had always been popular with the ladies, and I never really wanted for companionship. But no one had ever made me feel the was she did by simply being near.

Opening my phone, I pulled up her texts.

Sean: Have fun with Karen Pookie, and be safe. I miss you. xoxo

Hugs and kisses. What I wouldn't give to be able to do that with her for real. I had gotten so close this morning. So close to claiming her perfect lips. The aching want was almost debilitating, even now, hours later. I was glad though, that she had panicked. Because she finally admitted what I had been worried about for a while now. She really had no idea how I felt about her. I had a hard time believing it, but in hindsight I knew I had been a fool. I flirted and played with her, just like I always did when I was interested in a girl in the past. And that was my mistake. Knowing she was different, and yet treating her the same. Coming to find out that not even Owen had truly known how serious I was about her, actually hurt. But I couldn't really blame him. I had made my own bed. If only I had known that I would have found someone like her. Someone that would be more important than the air I needed to breathe.

My phone buzzed, startling me out of my private shame party, an my heart skipped a beat.

Pookie: Thanks Sean. Goodnight.

I stared at the screen, willing it to say more. To be more, but nothing more came. And the feeling of dread that I had barely managed to keep at bay finally settled over me. She was pulling away, and I had no idea if they would be able to pull her back in.

Owen POV

After leaving Mr. Griffin's house, I decided to call it a night and head home. Sean had been reluctant to leave me alone, but I needed the time to think. I needed to process how quickly everything had shifted in just over 48 hours. I had gone from being someone she respected and confided in, to someone she avoided. I had lost her trust.

When Mr. Griffin had finally connected the dots for us all, it was like being hit in the face with a wrecking ball. She felt like I was controlling her, and when I really looked at myself, I knew that she was right. And the most troubling part about it was there was still so much that she did not know. That I hoped she would never have to know, for her own sanity. It was no secret to everyone in my life that I was a controlling man. It was how I found order. My family had accepted that about me. They had accepted me as their leader, and allowed me the control that I craved. I had always thought it was because they respected me, and because I had earned it and I still thought that for the most part. But I was now starting to see the small stress fissures in our family, and for the first time, I was realizing that they started long before Miss Sorenson had arrived.