Chapter 23- Tell me again

"Cali," he groaned out. His breathing was ragged and his heart was beating too fast.

"You don't have to say anything, I just needed to tell you how I feel," I stated as I looked into his eyes. They were swimming.

"I-" he rasped. "Those words...I-I,"

"I love you," I stated again. He crushed me into his arms.

"Fuck, Cali," he breathed. "I fucking love you too,"

My heart started to calm. He didn't have to tell me he loved me back, because I had somehow realised it. But I was happier now. I knew how he felt and I knew the feeling was mutual.

I'm not the type of girl to just throw the words around. Infact, I had never said them before, not even to Dustin, but the feelings I felt for Dustin could never top how I feel for Kyle. It was almost as if they were alien; I suppose they were.

Kyle held me in his arms, immobile. I could feel his tense body, his crushing arms nearly suffocating me, but I welcomed them anyway. I didn't want to disturb him. I could feel his heart beating beneath my palm, fast, hard but ever so soothing.

We stayed in that position for what seemed like hours, and I was loving every second of being in his arms.

"I can't tell you how much this means to me," Kyle breathed. "This has been the best day of my life,"

"That's a bit extreme," I answered. But I knew where he was coming from.

"It's not. I haven't felt so happy since I was young and careless," I understood that. "Or maybe even ever,"

"Kyle," I breathed. He breathed in, as if he were taking me all in.

"I can't seem to let you go, but I need to, I've got to get home,"

"It's okay," I replied. He let go of me, and I instantly felt vulnerable, cold and bare. I hated being away from his comforting body. But I didn't have a choice.

"Tell me again," he demanded. "I need to hear it again,"

"I love you," he closed his eyes as if he was savouring the words just a little longer. His body was relaxed but I could still almost feel the little tremor of pleasure through his body as I said those words.

He came up to kiss me, and I savoured his soft lips.

"I'll see you tomorrow," he said as he left. I watched him leave, wishing he didn't have to.

"Good night," I replied, before he was out of my sight. I sighed.

I made my way back inside, closing the door softly behind me. As soon as I stepped foot onto the dark wooden floor, Tammy was bounding up to me, her hair in a messy bun and her body covered in her holy pajamas.

"So?" She awaited my answer. I nodded my head and smiled.

"I think he forgave me," or maybe even more than that. Tammy didn't need to know the ins and outs, after all.

"I knew he would, I could see it," she smiled cheekily as I rolled my eyes. "but I still need to talk to you," I stopped dead in my tracks as we made our way to the kitchen.

"Oh crap, Tammy I'm sorry, I forgot," she flicked her hand as if it was no big deal.

"It's okay, you have a life to correct," she smiled. I laughed slightly.

"So what did you want to talk to me about?" I was generally intrigued and curious, but still a little nervous.

She sat down on one of the bar seats in the kitchen, she indicated for me to sit opposite her, and I did as I was told.

"There's no easy way to put this, but mom has been put to jail," she stated. I didn't know what to expect, but I'd sort of already expected this.

I sat there, with my heart beating fastly in my chest. Talking about my mother was an extremely touchy topic to touch upon, but I guess I really wanted to know.

"Oh," was my only reply.

"Aside from that, she has also been committed to a mental institute place," she waved her hand again as if she was brushing it off. As if she didn't know the real name of the place.

"Really?" I asked, almost astonished, I didn't know why. She nodded her head.

"I know you try to forget about what happened, but I don't think you should keep it in the dark, I know Kyle had taken your mind off of the situation a whole lot, and I guess I thank him for that, you're strong for what you've been through with mom, and I'm glad I've got you back," she explained. I nodded my head and mustered up a smile in her direction.

"Thanks, Tam," I replied in true sincerity. She hit the table as she got up, a symbol of her wanting to change the subject, and fast.

"Do you want me to cook you some food?" She asked. I looked to her.

"This late?" she rolled her eyes in reply.

"It's only half 8, Cali," I pouted.

"Fine," I huffed. She smiled before making her way to the cupboards. "Where's dad?"

"Working, I think," Tammy replied. She shrugged her shoulders too.

"He's most probably working," the thought put another downer on my mood, dampening it and squashing it. Maybe we were back to square one, where dad was always gone, and he was always working.

But the thought of Kyle made my spirits lift and my smile grow. I was good at lodging the negative things to the back of my head when I needed to. I was giddy with excitement, and I must have looked like a love struck fool. I guess I was. I couldn't deny that.

"You know, we should do something this weekend, just the two of us, a little bonding time," Tammy suggested. I nodded my head.

"Of course," knowing her it was some retail therapy and a new pair of shoes. But if that kind of bonding worked for her, I didn't mind. She smiled as she continued to cook. I didn't actually know she could cook. But I hadn't even tried the food yet so I was little apprehensive.

Suddenly, the door bell rang.

"I'll get it," Tammy said. I nodded my head.

"I'm just going to ring Matt," I replied. Tammy smiled in reply before throwing the cloth onto the counter and making her way to the front door. I took my phone out of my pocket and I dialed Matts number.

"Hey, baby girl, how's Mr dark and broody?" Matt greeted in his usual way. I could always count on him to pick up the phone straight away, most probably because he was always on it, texting and flirting with some of his male companions.

"He's not broody," I rolled my eyes even though I knew he couldn't see. "But he's good, after all, I blurted out the L word," I muttered sheepishly. Matt gasped over the phone.

"You said you didn't believe in that stuff. You liar!" He accused down the phone.

"I didn't at the time. But I want to believe in it, I feel it, this has to be love like you explained it. It just feels right," I replied honestly.

"Fair enough, you do what's right. Did he say it back?"

"He did," I breathed, dreamily, almost as if I was still suprised.

"Wow, atleast your love life is working out. Mine is a shambles, like always," he brooded and I could imagine him pouring down the phone.

"It'll be okay, Matt, plenty of fish in the sea,"

"I don't really like the term fish, Cali, I'm gay," I rolled my eyes and laughed.

"Oh shutup, you know what I mean," I said as Tammy made her way into the kitchen, with an extra massive smile on her face. Who ever was at the door had obviously made her extremely happy. "look, Matt, I've got to go, I'll see you tomorrow,"

"Alright baby girl, bye," he said down the phone as I ended call.

"Who was at the door?" I asked. Tammy stopped what she was doing to tense a little. She didn't say a word for a few seconds, I could sense her hesitating. "Do you have a new lover?" I asked playfully. Knowing Tammy, she did, but she must have really liked this one.

"Uh, yeah, but don't say a word to anyone," Tammy demanded. I nodded my head as I smiled.

"I won't," I promised.

We stayed in silence for a while as I watched Tammy move around the kitchen as she prepared some food.

I still couldn't get Kyle out of my mind, but I guess I didn't want to. I liked him being there, he made me happy, whether he was beside me or creating havoc in my mind. He always made me smile, however cheesy that sounded.

After dinner, I washed a couple of dishes so Tammy didn't have to.

"Thanks for food, Tam," I thanked. She smiled in reply.

"It's not problem. I actually enjoyed it," I laughed at her reply before making my way upstairs.

My father still hadn't returned home, and I was a little sad about that, but there wasn't much I could do.

I made my way into my room, closing the wooden door behind me. I gasped when I found a massive bouquet of flowers piled on my bed.

Without even a glance I knew they were from Kyle. It was almost as if I could smell him. I rolled my eyes as I made my way to the flowers. I found the card nestled between some petals, and I opened it up.

Attraction is too tame of a word for this. I guess love is more fitting. K x

I smiled at the card. My heart fluttered as I read the note. Attraction definitely was too tame of a word for what Kyle and I had. I was happy he thought love was a much more fitting word for us.

I got a vase from downstairs. Passing a smiling Tammy, I had finally caught on to what or should we say who she was smiling about. It was Kyle and his little delivery. It must have been.

"I know what you did," I smiled and shook my head in her direction before making my way upstairs with the vase. Her laughter was heard from downstairs.

I laid the flowers into a vase, and they looked beautiful sat on my little wooden desk.

I kept the note beside me as I sank into bed.

I fell asleep with the biggest smile on my face. I didn't regret what I said tonight, I was more than happy with what happened. I thought I would be the one having to cry myself to sleep tonight, but I guess it had turned out for the better.

There was no doubt I loved Kyle, I just hoped I would love him forever, and he would love me too. I needed him, just as much as he needed me.

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Here you go. Hope you enjoyed it:) thank you for reading. I love you guys x

This book isn't finished, not for a long time yet;)xx