Page 10 of Hold On

“Mind if I play one more?” he asks quietly. I faintly shake my head no, already recognizing the notes. My eyes are watering as we stare at each other silently.

Hold On by Good Charlotte.

I’m suddenly back in my car in high school with an eighteen-year-old Bash frozen in place listening to this exact song. I had a feeling that day he had really needed that message. I don’t take it as a coincidence I’m hearing it now when I feel like my life isn’t worth holding onto. And just like that day, when I sensed in him something deeper was being activated by the song’s meaning, he knows I need it now.

Andfuck, is he right.

His fingers lag as he stops for a moment, leveling me with his penetrating stare. “I just want you to know, Lina Girl. I will always fucking care. No matter how angry I might seem…” He trails off and silence settles between us. I’m sobbing as Bash leans forward, touching his forehead to mine. He picks the songback up from where he left off. We stay this way until he’s done singing it softly to me.

And when he finishes, he puts the guitar against the wall before climbing into bed with me.

Chapter Seven - Then

Alina:

Bash opens the door for me.

He runs in front of my car and opens the door before I can do it. Then goes back around and grabs the pizza from the back seat. I’m stunned. What kind of eighteen-year-old does that? He smirks at me as I watch him for a moment before I lead him through the garage and into my house.

Walking into the kitchen, I turn on some lights as he stares around, open-mouthed. “Nice place,” he comments as he sets the pizza box down on the counter. I can tell he really means it. I hadn’t ever considered it to be much, but I quickly realize I don’t know anything about where Bash lives. Maybe this is averynice place compared to his home, and I should learn some humility.

“Thank you,BashCox,” I say with a grin, his own widening across his face. He bites down on his bottom lip as he stares at me.

“Oh, Lina Girl. You like to play, don’t you?” he asks in a thick voice. I’m pretty sure his question holds a double meaning to it. I lick my lips and level him with a stare.

“More than you know.” He snarls slightly as he pulls me into him by my belt loop and forces my mouth open with his tongue. His hands are gripping either side of my face and I clasp them in my own as I bow beneath him, my back arching under his body.

The power this boy has over me…

He pulls me closer to him, just taking a second to hold me in his arms, my face pressed into the tender space where his neckand shoulder meet. He smells like fading laundry detergent, Axe body spray and a hint of body odor. “Thank you for everything, Alina,” he says quietly. I pull away from him, looking skeptical.

“I didn’t do anything,” I reply puzzled, but he just shakes his head, pressing a kiss to my forehead. He directs me back to the pizza box and watches as I open it.

“I’ll admit. This is a weird pizza, Lina Girl,” he comments as he sniffs at the steam rising from our meal. I laugh.

“My mom loves garlic sauce and got me addicted to it,” I say as I grab a piece and hand it to him. He gives the slice a weary look as he studies it.

“Alright, then.” He gathers his bravery and takes a bite. I watch him chew, experiencing his first taste of garlic sauce. His eyebrows shoot up and he looks at me surprised. “This is fuckinggood,” he grins. I shake my head, an all-knowing look on my face.

“Looks like we both get to experience gifts this evening,” I say with a dig into his ribs. He laughs and jumps away before he gathers me beneath his arm and feeds me some of his pizza. I roll my eyes and groan as he watches me intensely. “Goddammit. That’s exactly what I fucking wanted,” I gush. I grab my own piece as we stand in the kitchen, hungrily devouring our slices and dipping it in the ranch.

I notice Bash’s eyes look a little more present as he proceeds to mow down four more slices.

I smile.

I feel so fucking happy.

Sebastian:

I’m fucked up and I’m not sure where my next meal is coming from, so I eat a shit-ton of pizza. I spent the only cash I had on dinner for the birthday girl, but it was well worth it.She absolutely deserved this. My father likes to restrict basic necessities when he’s not in the mood to love me, so this fucking pizza is filling both my stomach and the void in my heart.

But maybe that’s really Alina, standing pressed into me and dancing slightly as she eats her birthday dinner. She sees me watching her and smiles, her lips greasy and her cheeks full of food. She looks like a chipmunk, and I laugh out loud as I lean into her and lick the grease from her mouth. Her smile falters and in its place is a look of longing.

I wonder if any of those assholes who tried to bed her ever achieved this look from her.Hell fucking no,I decide. And I’d bet money on it that that’s why I’m the one who will be taking her virginity tonight. I meant it when I told her she wouldn’t regret it. She’s got me. I’m hers. Girls like fucking Claire Daniels can eat my ass. Well,actually,now she can’t.

I only want to be touched by Alina.

“Bash,” she whispers as I look into her pretty green eyes.

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