Creed

Chapter Two

TJ
She knew exactly what I meant, I could see it written all over her face. She didn't fool me, I knew her too well, no matter how much she tried to pretend she didn't feel the pull between us.

She and I, we were two broken souls. Broken at the hands of others. 
I didn't want to fix her, I wasn't trying to. I just wanted her to see that we could work. Even with our faults.

"I don't know what you're talking about." She murmured before hurriedly wiping down the kitchen sides, distracting herself with anything other than looking at me.
"Yes you do, that's why you won't look at me. It's why you keep running." I placed LJ on her play mat and rounded the kitchen table.

"I'm not running from anything. Have you ever thought that maybe, just maybe, I don't want to be around you? Your charms won't work on me." She huffed.
"So, you think I have charms?" I grinned, earning a scowl. "Look, I just want to talk. Please?" My voice grew softer and I reached out to entwine my fingers with hers.
Reluctantly she glanced down at where we were joined and I could see her chest rising and falling with each heavy breath.

"Kelsey." I muttered, praying at she would look at me from beneath those long lashes.

"Oh hey TJ! I didn't know you were here!" Clara suddenly appeared in the doorway, carrying bags of shopping.
Kelsey jumped as though the sudden interruption had burnt her skin and I growled.
I was so close, closer than I had ever been at breaking her resolve.

Clara, completely unaware, dumped the bags and sashayed towards us. She gave me a gentle kiss on the cheek before reaching for her baby girl.

"I missed you!" She inhaled her soft baby scent.
"Are you two okay?" She asked curiously, sensing the obvious tension.

"We will be. Can you just give us a minute?" I asked, even though it wasn't a question.

"No, I was just leaving actually." Kelsey made to leave but I blocked her exit.

"We're talking." I growled
"No, I'm leaving." She shoved at my chest.
"Fine, where are we going then?" I moved to the side as she stormed past, smirking at her angry little red face.

"I'm going no where with you. You know, this type of behaviour isn't normal." She yelled, as she ran to her car.

"Keep running, Kelsey. You'll have to stop at some point." I winked. "And when you do, I'll still be here." I leant against the arch of the door.

"I hate you!" She growled, slamming her door after her before I heard the screeching of tyres.

"We both know that isn't true." I murmured to myself.

"Where did she go in such a hurry?" Alex appeared behind me.
"I think something must have spooked her." I shrugged.
I was met with a snort and I looked across to see Alex smirking
"What?"
"The sooner you guys sort whatever this is out, the better." 

"Trust me, I'm trying." I sighed, slumping back against the bricks. 
"What happened between you two?" He studied me.

I had never told anyone, not for any particular reason but because I knew that Kelsey was private and I knew no one knew much about her.
Even I pretended I didn't know her half the time.
But I did. I knew her better than anyone in this stupid town.
I was there from the beginning. I was there when life was full of dark clouds and the rain never stopped. She came crashing into my life when I didn't even know I needed anyone. She always detests the fact that I saved her, but honestly, she saved me. She saves me every time it gets hard.

"Nothing." I muttered.
"Does it have something to do with the club you were part of before?"

My brows furrowed, I hadn't thought about that time in my life in years. I didn't want to. 

"No." I said simply, before pushing off against the wall.
"I'll catch you later." I called behind me.

There was somewhere I needed to go. I was done pretending.