IF YOU DID NOT READ THE NEW ENDING FOR LAST CHAPTER YOU BETTER GO BACK NOW AND DO SO! IF NOT THIS CHAPTER WILL NOT MAKE SENSE TO YOU. THERE IS A MARKING WHERE THE NEW ENDING IS (IT IS RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FOOTBALL SCENE)

Semi-edited.

Song above is...Force Of Nature by Be a Miller. It fits this chapter perfectly!!

Love this cover sent to me! Let me know who you are so I can dedicate this chapter to you :) <3

Happy Reading!!

The rest of the night was awkward and tense. When I came back inside I had found Gage sitting beside his grandmother on the whole other side of the table. The only empty seat was beside Macey on the opposite side. I tried not to let it show how hurt I felt with him far away from me and clearly ignoring me.

Thankfully though no one thought anything different between us. Everyone talked like normal as we ate our desert. I did try to engage in conversation but my head was a mess. I just kept replying what Gage was saying to me outside. I was so confused as to why he suddenly got so angry at me. I kept telling myself to let him cool of a bit and things will be back to normal.

It wasn't long after we finished eating did Gage stand up and announce they were leaving. My head snapped in his direction and I watched Rose even look at him in surprise. It was nearing 6 o'clock but it wasn't that late for them to be leaving.

"Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Miller for having my grandmother and I. The food was amazing." Gage said politely. To others he probably seemed normal and even nice but I knew him. I knew that he was putting on an act

"Leaving so soon?" My mom asked standing up looking between Gage and his grandmother. I watched as Rose looked at her grandson for a minute before she stood up and sent my mother a small smile.

"Sadly I have to go home and feed my cat, when she is home all day alone she gets so grumpy." She laughed. "Thank you for inviting us. Most fun I have had in years." As Rose moved around the table to say goodbye to my mom I stood up. I had no clue what was going on. While they both said goodbyes to my family I stood there still.

"I-I'll show you guys out." I said quietly as they finished with their goodbyes. Ignoring my mothers questioning look I turned and lead Rose and Gage to the front door. Gage stayed a good ways behind me as his grandmother walked beside me. From the corner of my eye I could see her sending me looks.

Opening the front door I turned to Rose.

"Thank you for coming. I hope you had a good time." My voice sounded weird to my own ears.

"Thank you for inviting us dear." Rose pulled me into a tight hug.

"I'll talk to him don't worry." She whispered in my ear surprisingly me. Not knowing what to say I nodded as she pulled away. Sending me an encouraging smile she walked out the front door, leaving Gage and I standing there.

"Gage I-" I started to say but he cut me off.

"Don't Carter." The way he said my name made me stop. It was very rare he ever called me by my real name. "Just...just don't." Not even glancing at me he brushed past me and out the door.

I watched after him feeling my heart break. The fact that he didn't even look at me or let me talk hurt. I didn't do anything and yet he can't even look me in the eye! I bit down on my bottom lip as I felt tears forming. This was not how this day was suppose to be. It wasn't suppose to end in a screaming match between Gage and I or with him leaving without saying a word to me.

I stood there frozen as they backed out and drove away. It felt like the further away the car went the further Gage went out of my life. This was just a fight, nothing serious. Tonight Gage will call me apologizing and everything will go back to normal. It had to.

Shutting the door I leaned against it gulping. I couldn't cry, I just couldn't. Not when my family was in the kitchen. I had to act as if nothing was wrong because I didn't want to ruin thanksgiving for everyone else. Catching my breath I pushed off the door and headed back to the kitchen to my family.

******

It wasn't until 8 or so when everyone else started to leave. It was getting late and the kids needed to go home and get ready for bed. I was thankful that everyone was finally leaving because I just wanted to go up to my room and possibly cry myself to sleep.

I was trying hard to act normal but I am pretty sure everyone knew something was up with me. I kept myself busy with helping clean up dinner and put it all away but that didn't help. I kept seeing Gage walking away from me.

Neena, Liam and the two boys left first. When Aunt Kay, Nick and Elizabeth were about to leave Macey insisted on staying here tonight. She promised her parents she would come over tomorrow but I think she wanted to stay the night and see what was wrong. A part of me wanted her to go so I could be alone but if it was anyone I wanted to talk to it was Mace.

Thankfully everything was cleaned up as they left so we could go upstairs and be alone. It was early but I wasn't in the mood to try and act okay anymore. Knowing my father he would ask a ton of questions then threaten to kill Gage for me.

"Honey are you okay?" My mom asked as we all stood there. Macey was right next to me like she was my guard. Luke, Ethan and my dad stood in front of us and at my mom's words they looked at me.

"I'm fine." But it didn't sound too convincing. "I am actually going to go shower and go to bed, I'm not feeling too good." It wasn't entirely a lie.

"Are you sure you are okay?" She looked concerned but I could tell she wanted to ask more but with the boys in the room she knew better.

"I'm good. Thank you for dinner mom it was great." I hugged her and kissed her cheek. Hugging my dad and sending Ethan and Luke a small smile I turned and headed for the stairs, Macey right on my heels.

I had to force myself not to run to my room. Now that I was alone it was like the walls were closing in on me. I was gasping and trying to breath as I stood in the middle of the room. I briefly heard the door close behind me. Tears escaped my eyes and ran down my face.

"Carter?" Macey asked coming towards me. "Carter?" When she moved in front of me I lost it. I let out loud sob and clenched my middle. Macey's arms wrapped around me and pulled me to her. Holding onto her small body I finally let myself break down.

Macey let me cry against her for who knows how long. The tears wouldn't seem to stop. I don't know why I was so upset when all it was only a fight. Couples fight all the time and they are fine after a few hours. Gage just needed a little bit to cool down that's all.

I don't know how long it was until I stopped crying. My eyes were bloodshot and swollen, my cheeks stained with tears and a bit of my makeup. I knew I looked like a complete mess. Mace helped me to my bed and sat beside me as I hiccuped.

"Babe what happened?" Her voice was soft.

"Gage and I had a huge fight." I said my voice coming out all hoarse and dry.

"A fight? About what?"

"After the football game Gage pulled me aside and accused me of still liking Ethan and having something going on with him." My mind tried to remember exactly what Gage said to me but it was like a fog had been placed over my mind. I was so emotional I couldn't really remember anything at the moment.

"What did you tell him?"

"I-I said I didn't have to answer him because he should know already. I felt so hurt by his words that I just starting yelling back at him."

"Oh babe that wasn't a smart decision."

"What?" I looked over at her confused. She placed a hand on my knee and sent me a small smile.

"Car you not answering if you like Ethan or not just made it all worse."

"How?" I sat up a bit straighter.

"It sounds like Gage is afraid that you will one day leave him to be with Ethan. He knows you use to like him, or that you still do, and that scares him. You not answering just further scared him into thinking he is going to lose you." At her words I shot right up.

"Oh god what if I am the cause of this." My fingers found their way to my hand and tugged on it as I started to pace my room. "I don't want to lose Gage Macey. This was all just a stupid misunderstanding anyways!"

"Carter-"

"Mace what if Gage decides to break up with me? I can't handle that!"

"Carter!" Her yell made my stop in my tracks. "Do you like him?"

"Gage? Of course I do!"

"Not Gage. Ethan. Are you still in love with Ethan?" I didn't even hesitate when I answered.

"No." My own words made me pause. My answer came so firm and fast that is surprised me. But my answer was the truth. I didn't like Ethan anymore. If you would have asked me a month ago I probably would have said yes.

Ever since I meet Gage I have thought less and less of Ethan. He didn't cross my mind every night and nor did I get that nervous feeling just even talking about him. Ethan has been pushed into a small corner of my mind that I have completely forgotten about.

For years I have always thought one day I would end up with Ethan. He would find out about my feelings and return them. We would end up dating and falling in love all through out college and afterwards he would propose to me. We would end up getting married on the beach or something and afterwards have 2 or 3 kids. We would be a perfect family. That was the picture and future I always imagined.

But now that picture has changed. I don't see myself ending up with Ethan. I don't see a huge happy ending for us that will end with kids and a happy life. I wasn't entirely sure who the person in the picture was at the moment but I could see it being Gage.

Gage the one who actually seems to care about me. Who stood up for me when we all got jumped at the gym a month back. The guy who could deny that he liked me when we first met. Gage the guy who people warned me about and who rumors said was a womanizer with no heart.

That was not the guy I have come to know. No he is thoughtful, sweet, kind, smart, funny. He was someone I never thought I would come to like but he is everything I have been searching for. What I thought I wanted with Ethan is not what I truly wanted anymore.

It is not until I think about it that I realize that Ethan was not the person I really liked. He was just something I thought I needed but didn't. Ethan was always there in my childhood and all through my high school years. So it made sense that I would eventually fall for him. Fall for his good looks, his personality, the way he was nice to me when others weren't.

Ethan was always a constant in my life, like air. I thought I needed him in order to survive but really I don't. These last few months I haven't even thought about him, haven't even cared that I haven't seen him in days. I was busy with my life and so was he. I use to freak when I didn't see him daily but now seeing him every 3-4 days I am fine.

"Are you sure you don't?" Macey asked again bringing me out of my thoughts.

"I didn't realize it until now but I am sure. I don't feel the same about Ethan anymore." For some reason it felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. It felt freer in a way I couldn't explain.

"Oh god Mace! I need to call Gage right now and tell him that!" My head snapped in every direction trying to find my cellphone to call him. He had to know the truth.

"Carter no." Mace stepped in front of me blocking my path. "You need to let Gage cool down. If you call him right now while he is still mad he may not even listen to you. You are too emotional right now anyways. You both need to cool down before talking."

"But Mace-"

"Your feelings will still be the same tomorrow morning. Let him sleep on it and cool down before calling him. Give him a day." She reasoned with me. As much as I wanted to grab my phone and call him I knew she was right. Gage was beyond pissed that talking to him right now may not be a good idea.

"Fine." I sighed. Today has been a day. I go from one emotion to the next, like roller coaster.

"Does this mean my best friend is finally over her first love?"

"I guess it does."

********

That night I didn't sleep. I tossed and turned all night long, my mind too much of a mess to sleep. All I could think about was Gage and him pushing me away. My worst fear was that he wanted to break up. We were barely getting to the good part. We were starting to become comfortable around one another and for the first time I felt like this could last. It all couldn't end because of something so stupid.

When it was finally 6 o'clock in the morning I decided I needed to get up and do something. I knew my parents weren't up just yet and I know for a fact Luke and Ethan won't be up for hours. I didn't want to lay in bed any longer because if I did I would drive myself crazy.

Deciding on doing the one thing I never do I grabbed some clothes to go for a run. Maybe it would clear my head and let me think about something else for just a moment. I rarely ran but I was hoping it would help me right now.

Not wanting to wake an angry Macey I got changed in the bathroom before quietly leaving the room. Thank the lord I kept clothes in my old room for times like this. The house was silent as I snuck down the stairs. I tried to keep my footsteps quiet as I made my way to the back door. Opening the front would be too loud.

Once I was successful in leaving the house and out the side gate I started to jog down road. Since we lived in a neighborhood I didn't have worry about cars and it was too early for some to be awake. Most were probably still asleep after eating so much yesterday.

My feet pounded the pavement as I jogged. The air was cold as it nipped my face and I was glad I threw on a thin jacket. With every step I took my mind flashed to Gage. I went from when we first met on the second day Macey and I were on campus, me running into him and him yelling at me. My mind flashed to when I saw Gage fight the very first time.

It was like a sequence as I ran. I went through every memory Gage and I had together until I finally reached what happened last night. By time I got to the fight we had my legs were carrying my fast across the pavement. My breathing was coming out in gasps and my lungs were burning but I couldn't find the will to stop running. My legs were burning and I knew if I didn't stop I would get a cramp but that didn't stop me. It was almost like I was asking for pain the faster I ran.

I finally had to force myself to stop running. I came to a stop breathing heavily and clenching my sides. I felt like my lungs were going to burst as I gulped in air. I wasn't sure how far I had gone and to be honest I didn't feel any different.

When I finally caught my breath I looked around. I was in another neighborhood that wasn't too far from my house, but far enough to let me know I ran quite a bit. Turning around I started to slowly walk back. I could run back home but walking would help me stay out here a bit longer.

The walk back to my house didn't last as long as I would have hoped. Before I knew it I was standing at the front door. I was pretty sure my parents were up by now. I didn't want to talk to my dad about any of this because he will just make it even worse with his threatening and what not. He did mean well but I didn't want Gage hurt.

Instead of going through the probably locked front door I went back around the side gate and into the back door. My back was faced to the kitchen as I tired to shut the door as quietly as I could.

"Where did you go?" A voice asked from no where making me jump and almost scream. Holding a hand to my heart I turned around to face my mom. She was dressed in her pi's still and had a cup of steaming coffee in her hands. She stared at me expectedly waiting for my answer.

"I went for a run."

"Since when you do run?"

"Mom!" I stared at her with my jaw open.

"Shit that came out wrong. Wait crap!" I watched feeling a smile spread across my face as my mom tried to back track on swearing.

"Mom I think I know what shit means." I walked over to her and patted her arm before going over to the cabinet to grab a mug for myself.

"What I really meant to say was why did you go running? I know you usually only go if something is bothering you. So shoot." She leaned her hip against the counter and watched me as I moved around the kitchen getting a cup of coffee. Once I had sat down on one of the stools I let out a sigh.

My mom and I told each other everything, well not exactly everything but close to it. I know telling her she will give me some good advice. If anyone knew about this kind of stuff it was my mom. According to the story of how her and my dad got together it sounds like they went through something similar.

"Gage and I had a fight yesterday and I think we may have broke up." At the thought of breaking up my heart clenched.

"I figured something happened between you two at thanksgiving. When you came back inside you guys weren't the same." She commented.

"It was all over something stupid mom. I'm not even sure what made him so pissed anyways." I stared down at my full coffee.

"Men's minds are complicated sweetie. But tell me everything that happened." I glanced around to make sure none of the boys were around.

"Don't worry they are all still asleep." Mom said. Taking a deep breath I told her everything that happened after the football game. Everything from when Gage pulled me aside to when he left without saying goodbye.

"Oh sweetheart." Mom shook her head at me.

"What?"

"You really don't see what made him mad?" I tried to think of what would piss Gage off but nothing popped out at me.

"No mom. Nothing happened at all."

"It sounds to me like when Ethan picked you up and kissed you Gage got super jealous."

"But mom it didn't mean anything! It was just a kiss to the cheek because we won the game."

"Gage doesn't know that honey. He knows about your crush on Ethan and when he kissed you and you didn't stop it, he may have gotten the wrong idea. Then add on that you didn't deny it when he asked you." She said the exact same thing as Macey did last night.

"Mom I don't like Ethan anymore. Ethan has and never will like me that way so the kiss was just a friendly one!"

"Not to Gage apparently. He probably got jealous and then hurt that you didn't do anything to show that you aren't interested in Ethan anymore." It all seemed to sink in now, why Gage was so angry. He still thought I was in love with Ethan and the kiss to the cheek did nothing to help those thoughts he had.

"But shouldn't Gage have realize that! I'm in a relationship with him not Ethan."

"Honey, men need as much reassurance as us women do. He needs to know that he is the only one you like. That you won't run off suddenly with a guy you have liked forever. Even your father needs reassurance that I am not going to leave him for some other guy." I tried hard not to wrinkle my nose at that.

"This is all my fault mom. I need to talk to him." I quickly stood up, my chair pushing back with a loud squeal.

"Carter you need to give him some space."

"But mom won't space just make this worse?! He needs to know how I feel about Ethan."

"Going over there right now will just make matters worse. He needs