Chapter 13

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It takes only 5 more minutes of silence until I can't stand it anymore. "What's your problem?" I know that's probably not the most tactful way to go about asking, but he has no right to be mad at me.

I can see his eyes narrow as he looks at the road. "What's my problem? How about you throwing yourself at the first guy that shows you a little attention."

I rear back from him like I'd been slapped. Ouch. My eyes immediately tear up and I turn away from him again. The silence starts back up as I look out the window.

He sighs, "Manny, look, I-"

"Take me home please." I try to muster up all the anger I can, hoping he see that in my eyes instead of the sorrow I feel at his low opinion of me.

I refuse to look at him again when his head whips around in my direction after he realizes what I've said.

"No, Manny. I didn't mean it. I was just angry with Vic."

I turn my head further away so he can't see the tear that escapes. "That's fine. But you did say it and I'd like to go home now." I hear my voice break at the end and I internally flinch. Damn. So much for trying not to show how upset I am.

Out of the corner of my eye I see his hand reach out to me, but hesitate halfway. He eventually puts it down, back on his leg. I watch out the window as the car comes to a stop. I try to focus my gaze on something familiar but when I find nothing, I realize I'm not sure where we are.

I hear his deep intake of breath. "Manny.." I wince at the regret I hear in his voice. I keep my head turned, determined to not feel guilty. After all, he was the one who lost his temper. "Manny, look at me." I stay silent, my head not moving. "Please?" I meet his plea with silence, his frustration now palpable in the air.

I hear his movement, and immediately tense when I feel his hand cup the side of my face. It slowly moves around to grasp my chin and turn my head, giving me no choice but to finally look in his eyes.

The moment our eyes lock, he swears under his breath. He brings his other hand around and uses his thumbs to wipe the tears rolling down my cheeks. "Please forgive me. I shouldn't have said it, and in no way would I ever want to purposefully hurt your feelings." I can hear the sincerity in his voice, and I watch as his eyes study mine. He pulls me in closer when he sees what I'm guessing to be hesitancy on my face. Oh no, this is much, much too close. "Please?" Our faces are now just centimeters apart, and before I can comprehend what I'm doing, I lean the rest of the way in. Our lips touch touch lightly, too lightly. I bring my hands up to pull myself closer and he freezes, immediately pulling me out of whatever stupor I'm in.

I scramble back to my side of the car, the panic very quickly setting in. "I'm so sorry!" And then the car door is open and I'm running. As fast as I can. As far away from the car as I can get. Holy hell. What did I just do? I turn corner after corner on the street, hoping to lose him should he try to come after me.

I finally have to stop to breath. Leaning over on my knees, I take as deep of a breath as I can. Satisfied that my lungs aren't going to fall out of my rib cage, I look around to see if I know where I am.

Of course not.

Alright, let's try to find some place I recognize. I walk down the road, tightening the light jacket I had on around myself. Of course it had to be raining, because when is my life ever easy? I could tell the temperature was dropping quite fast too, something I hadn't been expecting.

I heard the car approaching behind me too late, hearing their tire hit the puddle I was immediately drenched in rainwater.

"Just fucking great, as if this day couldn't get any worse." I could feel tears gathering at my eyes, which only made me angrier.

Why would I do that? Why would I kiss him? He's Eva's dad, for Christ sake! Of course he wouldn't want me that way, how would I ever show my face around there again? Thank god Eva lives at Uni because I don't think I could see her without throwing myself down and groveling for forgiveness.

I sat on the sidewalk and put my head between my knees. Oh god, I think I might be having a panic attack. I was struggling to breath as I started rocking back and forth.

Stupid, stupid, stupid. Why would I do-

"Manny?! Is that you? Are you okay?"

No no no please let it be anybody but him. I can't handle seeing him right now, not after what I did. Please let this be a dream. Please please pl-

"Manny!"

My eyes finally refocused in front of me to see that it was, in fact, Luke and I suddenly felt very nauseous. As he got closer he realized the state I was in and ran the rest of the way.

He knelt down in front of me and I think I was in shock, no longer able to move. My tears were still streaming noiselessly down my cheeks. I could do nothing but stare at him as he studied me, feeling the mortification intensifying at how stupid I had been.

"Manny, honey, are you okay? Why did you run away? It's raining out here and freezing! You're going to get pneumonia!"

Still unable to move I just watched him as he spoke and tried to focus on how to breath.

"Are you hurt? Did something happen?Manny please, did somebody hurt you?"

I managed to shake my head no and gather my thoughts enough to form words. "M-m-mr. Richards I'm so sorry for what I did. It was an accident. I didn't mean for it t0-"

I was interrupted by him grabbing me under my arms and legs, lifting me up princess style. He jogged over to his car and got into the backseat, me still wedged safely in his arms.

"Shh now, is that what has gotten you so upset? You have to calm down Manny, everything is okay. I promise." He rocked me back and forth whispering into my ear until I could finally focus on my breathing and it returned to almost normal. He pushed me back to look in my eyes.

"Better?"

Still not trusting my voice I decided to go for a small nod and look anywhere but his eyes.

He hummed his skepticism but got out of the car and placed me in the front seat, leaning over to buckle my seatbelt, despite knowing how much I hate them. I decided not to argue this time, figuring I had already done enough today to get me in trouble.

He drove in silence, while I tried to keep my eyes from straying in his direction. Bouncing my knee in an order to keep my nerves in check, I jump as I feel a hand go over my kneecap.

"Manny, calm down. You have nothing to be so freaked out over," he squeezes my knee gently and returns his hand to the wheel. "I do think we're gonna skip the driving lesson for the day, however."

I said nothing as I kept my eyes straight ahead. How could I come back from this? This was singlehandedly the most embarrassing thing that I had ever done. I nibbled on my thumbnail as I felt tears prick my eyes once again.

As we pull to a stop at a red light I hear him sigh, "Manny..." I blink at the disappointment in his voice and a tear slides down my cheek. I hear his movement in the seat beside me but I refuse to turn my head. I feel a hand on my cheek as he grabs my chin and forcefully turns me to face him.

He wipes the tear with his thumb and places hand on each cheek as he looks into my eyes. He leans forward and I suddenly forget how to breathe as I stare into his eyes.

"I said, you have nothing to worry about," he whispers as he closes the distance and his lips touch mine. It is the softest kiss, barely any pressure behind it, and yet it was the greatest thing I had ever felt. He pulls back and chuckles, "Breathe, Manny. You have to breathe."

I jump as a car honks behind us and he straightens up and hits the gas, the light now green. I stay silent the rest of the drive, not knowing what to say.

He kissed me! All on his own! What does this mean? Could he feel the same way I do? Or is he just trying to get me to calm down?

"Manny?" I jump, startled. I look up to see we're at his house. "Let's go get you warmed up, okay?" I nod as I get out of the car and follow him to the door.

He lets us in and I follow him up to his room.

"Go on in there and have shower. Should help get you warmed up. I'm gonna try to find something to fit you, okay?" I nod my head wordlessly as I go into the bathroom and turn the water on as hot as it will go.

The hot water does little to release the tension in my body. What will he say? Is he about to tell me what a gross little boy I am and to never talk to him again? I lean my head against the shower wall as I try to take deep breaths.

I prolong the shower as long as I can, and step out to find a large shirt folded over a pair of boxers on the sink. My face reddens slightly at the thought of him coming in here during my shower, but I shake it off and get dressed.

I look in the mirror and wince at my reflection. My pale skin is almost too pale, sallow even. My usual bright green eyes are dim, looking too round and big for my face. They're accompanied by dark circles under both eyes, almost giving them a sunken in look.

Great, I thought morosely. We're about to have a talk about my feelings for him and I look like absolute shit. I sigh, trying to steady my shaking hands before I go out there. You can do this.

I finally throw open the bathroom door, internally groaning when he's already sitting on his bed, back against the headboard and his legs under the cover. His eyes meet mine as I close the door, and he pats the space next to him. "Come on up."

I take a few hesitant steps, refusing to look him in the eye. "Maybe.."

"Manny." The tone in his voice sends an immediate shiver down my spine and I am suddenly very afraid we're gonna be looking at a Code Red here in my boxers. Well, his boxers.

I shuffle a bit towards the bedroom door. "It's pretty late, ya know? We can always talk later. I could walk home, you won't even have to move." There's a second of silence and then before I can blink he's in front of me slamming the door shut.

"You're right. It is late. But you're staying here. In my bed." He leans forward. Oh my. "Exactly where I want you." All the air in my body whooshes out of me at his words. He smirks at my reaction and gives me a swat on the behind. "Now go."

I scurry to the bed, stuffing myself into the covers. I turn to find him taking his shirt off, leaving him only in a pair of navy blue sweatpants. Sweet Jesus. I can't stop staring, I'm mesmerized.

His chuckle brings me out of my stupor, and I quickly wipe my mouth, checking for drool. I drop my gaze from his muscles. He casually leans against the headboard and cocks an eyebrow in my direction. "Oh no, go ahead. Ogle all you want. I don't mind." He grins wickedly as my face goes thermonuclear. Okay, who is this and what has he done with Luke? He gives out a loud boisterous laugh, putting his hand on my head and ruffling my hair. "Your blush is one of my favorite things about you, little Manny."

I throw my hand up, trying to stop him. Frantic now. "Wait wait wait, what? What is going on? Why are you not mad at me?"

He studies me for minute, his gaze calculating. "Why would I be mad?"

I groan, was he really going to make me say it? "You know.. for..um..what I did earlier?"

His grin returns as he stares at me. "So what do you think I should do to make myself more clear than I did earlier?"

I blink up at him. "I don't understand..."

"Hmmm," he runs his hand against the scruff along his jaw. "Should I be offended you've forgotten my kiss so quickly?" He doesn't let me answer as he leans forward and grabs each side of my face, bringing me close. He takes a deep breath. "We've got a lot to talk about, Manny. But it's late and you're tired." He takes a finger and traces one of the dark circles under my eyes.

"I'm sorry, I-"

He brings me even closer and our lips meet for a third time. Only this time, he applies more pressure. My eye lids flutter close as I try to comprehend what's happening. He deepens the kiss, putting a hand on the back of my head, running it through my hair. We kiss for what seems like hours, his hand tightening in my hair. A small whimper makes its way past my lips and he releases me, a low guttural groan leaving his mouth.

All I can hear are the sounds of our heavy breathing and the erratic heartbeat that I am sure is going to burst out of my chest.

He lets me go and rolls over to turn the lamp off, patting the space beside him. "Now stop apologizing. We'll talk about everything tomorrow, okay? But the last thing you need to be sorry for is kissing me, because I couldn't be happier that it happened."

Is this really happening? I have to fight the urge to pinch myself, convinced that I'll wake up from this dream. This is the farthest thing from how I thought this night would turn out.

His sigh brings me back to the present, and after I still don't say anything, his arms reach out to grab me, pulling me down beside him. He wraps me up in his arms, my head laying on his chest.

His mouth is at my ear as he speaks. "Go to sleep, Manny. You need it. I'll be right here when you wake up, okay?" He kisses my forehead.

I finally let myself smile, trying to soak in the feeling of being here, in his bed, cocooned in his arms as if I'm the most precious thing he could ever be holding.

A million things are running through my head, and I start to think there's no way I would ever fall asleep, but he begins to run his fingers through my hair gently. I focus on that and the heartbeat I can hear as I lay on his chest.

Eventually I feel myself drifting off, with the thoughts of our kiss running through my head and the feeling of his lips on mine.

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