Page 45 of The Boy I Once Loved

Chapter Eight

I wake up the next morning and the first thought my mind flocks to is that kiss. That epic, toe-curling, tsunami of butterflies’ kiss. That hit by lightning kiss. Then my heart drops into my stomach when my brain kindly reminds me that the kiss was not real. It was a dare and nothing more, and that is the only reason it happened. Dylan will never see me as anything but his best friend. With a sigh, I roll onto my side and screech when I find him staring back at me, wide awake.

“Holy shit, Dyl! Are you trying to scare me to death?”

He chuckles in response. “Sorry, I was lost in my own thoughts.”

I grin. “You mean you actually have thoughts?” I knock on his forehead with my fist. “I honestly thought there was nothing up here that you did any thinking with.”

He rolls his eyes. “So funny, Ella Umbrella.” He stretches out and my eyes sneak to those sculpted abs. “I need to get up. Coach has arranged an extra training session this morning.”

“Lucky you. Looks like I need to entertain myself today then.”

He stands and throws his discarded top on from last night. "You could always come to watch me."

I snigger. “Yeah, I’ll pass thanks. I’m sure you will have plenty of adoring female fans there to soothe your ego.”

He shakes his head and offers me a tight smile. “Maybe I’m not bothered about those girls. Maybe I’d rather have my best friend there.”

“Yeah, right. I’ll pass,” I say laughing.

He throws on his jeans, pulling them up over those toned thighs. “We still okay for tonight though?”

“Tonight?” I give him a puzzled look until I remember him saying he is taking me out somewhere tonight. “Oh yeah, of course. Are you going to give me some clues where we are going?”

He leans over me and taps me on the end of my nose. His proximity makes me hold a breath in.

“Now that would spoil the fun of a surprise,” he replies with a cheeky wink. Playful Dylan always makes me swoon.

I pull myself out of the bed and quickly pull on the joggers I wore last night. It is getting harder and harder to be around him. I want more, but I know I can’t have more. I need to build myself a circle of friends away from Dylan, Connor and their group. I need to create some distance. It is the only way I can survive this and not risk blurting out my feelings and ruining everything for good.

I lie on my bed at home an hour or so after Dylan drops me off. He tells me he will be back to pick me up at six tonight. I pick up my mobile and dial Uncle Matt’s number. He picks up on the second ring.

"Hey, there angel face," he greets warmly.

“Hey. Can I come home?” I ask him, picking at the thread on my duvet cover.

His deep sigh resonates through the phone. “You are home, Ella. I know it’s hard, but you need to try and build bridges with your mum.”

“I don’t want to mend things with mum,” I tell him, frowning. “And I don’t want to be here in this town full of nothing but sad memories. I was happier when I was with you.”

“You were hiding angel. Hiding from your grief and hiding from your mum. The only way you will ever move forward is if you face these things.”

“Can I at least come for the holidays?” I ask him, my tone of voice flat with defeat.

“How about this?” he suggests, “If you stay and try with your mum, I’ll come to you for the holidays.”

“Promise?”

“Would I break a promise to my favourite Niece?”

I grin and roll my eyes. “I’m the only Niece you have.”

“Exactly. The only one and therefore my favourite.” I can hear the humour in his tone of voice, and I can’t help but smile. He can always lift me up when I am down. “Listen angel, I got to go get some work done but I’ll ring you soon, okay?”

“Okay. Love you.”

“I love you too, angel. Take care.”

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