Not Just A Fan - Josh Hutcherson

Chapter 76

Emma's POV.

I wake up with panic rising in my chest before I remember where I am. I was laying on the bed in the hotel room. How did I get here? I have no recollection of me getting into bed.
My eyes roam around the room not really knowing what I was searching for until I remember what happened last night. I told Josh...he wanted to be alone to think..and now I'm alone.

Did he really leave? I decide to get up and do something rather that wallow around in my pain. I make my way back into the bathroom on the other side of the room and rummage through the cabinet for a toothbrush. Once I brush my teeth, wash my face, comb my hair, and decide that I don't look like a zombie, I step back out into the main room. I didn't know what to do with myself anymore.

"Hey, you're up."

I turn around to see him standing there with his hands stuffed in his pockets. A strand of his dark brown hair falls over his face.

"I got you something to eat." He brings my attention to a starbucks drink and sandwich on the kitchen counter.

Josh gestures to the table and I walk cautiously over without taking a seat.

"Thank you."

He gives me a small smile and I'm suddenly very confused. Why is he being nice to me?

"Listen Emma, I thought about it and no matter what you say, it wasn't your fault. It was an accident. And I believe you because I trust you."

"You don't hate me?"

Josh looks at me like I said something completely ridiculous.

"I could never hate you."

"But I don't deserve all of this. I don't deserve you and you don't deserve someone like me."

"Hey don't say that," he places his hand on top of mind, "if anything I don't deserve someone as amazing as you. I haven't made it easy on us. And I'm sorry I had to go on that stupid tour but I'm here now and we can make this work okay?"

"Okay."

"Come here." He envelops me in a warm hug. His muscular arms wrap around me and I feel myself loosening up under his touch.

"Will you tell me one thing?" He asks me, his beautiful brown eyes staring into mine. I nod my head as my knees go weak under his spell.

"You don't still.." He eyes shift to my side, not daring to look at me. "do you love him?"

"Josh, look at me." His attention is returned to my face and I can still see the hurt in his eyes. The hurt that I inflicted upon him. "He means nothing to me. Absolutely nothing. I can't believe I was around him in the first place. I'll never forget what he did to me," tears brim in my eyes, "and I'll never forget how I feel when I'm with you. I love you and I promise that I'll never keep anything from you ever again. I'm sorry, Josh. I'm so sorry." I stare at him the whole time not really minding that a tear was rolling freely down my face.

He pulls me closer to him and rubs my back in an endearing way. He whispers sweet words into my ear, bringing a sense of comfort that I longed for for the weeks he's been gone.

"Oh and Emma?" I pull away to look at him with a curious expression on his face.

"Is he a better kisser than me?" His lips pull up into a smile.

I laugh at his remark. "Of course not. Not even close."

"Good." His smile radiates the room as he pulls me in for a long kiss.

"No one, especially not him, will get in the way of us. I promise you that." Josh reassures me. But something about his tone seems a little bit off. I decide not to question him, hating to ruin the moment.