He's Moving In // Braddison

Nine.

~ bryce pov

"TO ADDISON AND MADS NOT DROPPING OUT OF COLLEGE - YAY!!" We had all been taking shots and cheering to nothing all night. This was our fourth one and the night had only begun. All of the guys were over tonight with a couple of extra people just enjoying the Friday night. Everyone was vibing and I was enjoying being able to have Addison as company.

She was definitely being a bit cold tonight, but the alcohol was letting her relax. I knew the games she was trying to play with me and I'd let her enjoy herself for a bit.. I didn't mind relinquishing control. I wanted to have a bit of fun with Addi.

As we all put our shot glasses down, I pulled Addison towards me. I sat on a stool by the counter, Addison now standing right in between my legs. I smiled as I moved hair from her face, leaving a kiss on her forehead. She turned around and leaned back into me, allowing me to grab her hands into mine. I could tell that the alcohol was getting to her, but I didn't mind. I liked this side of Addi, but I would also always take care of her and not let her do anything she'd regret.

"Bryce.."

"Hm?" Her hands rested on my thighs as she turned around. Her face inched closer to mine, her eyes resting on my lips and my eyes resting on hers. She touched my lips with her thumb, leaving a kiss on my chin. "Oops I missed." I chuckled as I shook my head at a giggling Addison, I knew exactly what she was doing.

"We never talked.." she said, pouting. I was surprised she even remembered that being this drunk. I had every intention to have that conversation with her as soon as we got here, but the alcohol called our names. "I think that's a conversation better had sober." I said, right now not really being the appropriate time to speak about it. But Addison didn't agree with me.

She shook her head as she stood up, no longer leaning on me. "We need to talk, Bryce." she said, not being persuaded to do anything different. I sighed as I took a bottle of water with me along with snacks before pulling her outside. She would get the conversation, but I would get her sobered up first.

I held her hand as we walked outside and sat on some couches we had set up by the pool. She immediately leaned into me, her back being pressed against my chest. I didn't mind though, as I maneuvered us slightly so we could get comfortable. "Here, have some!" I said, giving her chips and making her drink water. She was annoyed, not really understanding that I was doing this for her own good. Addison didn't drink much, so four shots was a lot for her. And if she wanted to have this conversation tonight, I wanted her to at least be able to remember it in the morning.

"How you feeling?" I asked her as she finished up the water bottle. She passed me the bag of chips half eaten, telling me she no longer wanted any. "I'm cold.." she whispered as she inched closer to me. I reached over to the couch next to us to grab a blanket that was left over. I moved closer to her to be able to wrap it over the both of us.

As she let her legs fall over mine and rested her head on my shoulder, she looked up at me. "I'm fine Bryce.." she whispered, assuring me that she felt a lot better now.

"We can talk now.." she said, looking down as she played with her hands over the blanket. I could tell she was nervous by how tense she had turned. I knew what Addison wanted, I wasn't stupid. I could feel her catching feelings for me very early on and I'd be a liar if I said I didn't catch feelings either. But I didn't have the best track record with girls.. and I had just gotten out of a relationship. I wasn't in the best place to be looking for a new one.

As silence took over us for a while, I sighed.. knowing I owed her this conversation. "I'm sorry for how I've been acting lately Addi.. you didn't deserve any of that. The night we shared, it was special. And you are special.. but I don't think I can give you what you want. At least not right now I can't. I like you, I do, I like you so much. But I just got out of a toxic relationship and I think I need time for myself at the moment. If we try this now and rush things for it to just end badly, I'd never forgive myself. Because you deserve the world and I'm not ready to give it to you yet. I don't deserve you right now Addison.."