Say You Love Me

Say You Love Me - Chapter 24

It ended up being a few days before I could finally stop and take a deep breath. Thank God I had a lot of money saved. I was able to get the basics, plus nice furniture for the kitchen and living room. I liked how my apartment looked. My second bedroom room ended up being turned into my office/study space. It looked and felt like my home. Jackson had tried to call me at least three times a day but I never answered. I didn't feel like speaking to him, hell I didn't even want to see Gemma because she reminded me of him. I was folding clothes in the living room when I heard someone knocking on the door. I whipped open the door and was surprised to see Kip standing there with a pizza and a six pack of beer.

"Hey! I'm sorry I hadn't had a chance to call you, stuff got really crazy," I told him as I let him in my apartment.

"I figured that when Gemma basically cornered me in the garage at the end of my shift and asked me if I had talked to you."

He walked into the living room and set the food on the table while I grabbed plates from the kitchen.

"I figured you'd be hungry and getting stuff situated with the new place to even think about cooking so I figured I'd help."

"Thank you. I appreciate it...what did Gemma say?"

"Basically, told me what was going on with you, Jax, and Tara. She said that even though you aren't with Jax right now you are still like a daughter to her and that I better treat you right or else she'd have my other nut in a jar," he said with a laugh.

"Wow, at least she wasn't upset with you. I never said anything about being with someone else so she must have just figured it out."

"She's not stupid, I'm pretty sure Jax had let her know that you weren't suppose to talk to me. Where does everything leave us?"

I put my plate and my drink down and took a deep breath.

"Kip, I love you and I'm pretty sure you know that but I just got out of my first relationship and I'm not in a big hurry to jump into another one. I want to be with you but I don't want to put a name on us right now. I don't want your position with the club to be put in jeopardy because of me. I already have a plan to graduate early so hopefully I can go into business for myself and I don't have to be at the garage twenty four/seven. I hope you understand where I'm coming from."

"Of course I do, Bear. I always understand you and I won't push you to define whatever this is. Just know that I'm here and I'll always be here as long as you let me."

"Thank you! Did you want to spend the night? I've got to get some homework done but your welcome to stay and hang out."

"Of course I would. I won't bother you, I know college is a big deal to you. Hey you said something about a business you wanted to start. What you thinking?"

I smiled as I remember the file that I had on my laptop under lock and key.

"Chapters. That's what it's going to be called. Basically, it's a bookstore/café type of deal. Somewhere that kids can come to hangout and do their homework. A couple of computer there too just incase they need them. You already know I like to bake; I'm good at it. I figured I could buy one of the open spots in town, and sell the things I bake as well. I know it's a lot of stuff wrapped in one but it's really what I want to do. I just want to have something to call my own."

"Well if you need help painting or repairing anything at all, I'm your guy," he said with a smile.

"Thank you Baby."

I grabbed my homework from my office and brought it out the living room. It was kind of nice hanging out with Kip while I was doing my school stuff. It was around midnight before I had finally finished. I put everything away and noticed that Half Sac was asleep. I grabbed a blanket from the hall closet and dropped it over the both of us and fell asleep.