Strings (1 of 2)

Chapter 48 - Anna's Confession

"That's lamer than not going at all." I mumble.

"Why don't you bring the boy you've been seeing?" She says quietly, like it's nothing, and my eyes flick to hers instantly. Did she just say....

A smile plays on her lips as my mouth drops open.

"W-What?" I stutter, praying I misheard her.

"You heard me." She says with a full smirk now. 

Fuck.

"How did you know?" I ask. I don't know when she could have seen him. We were so careful around her. Even the time she almost caught him in my room, I still don't think she saw him.

"I know everything." She winks at me and closes her mouth tightly. I can tell I won't be getting any more information on how from her today.

"You didn't tell them, did you?" I frown at her and she quickly shakes her head.

"Did I tell them about Mr. Dean all those years ago?" She retorts and I smile. No, she didn't. As far as I know, they still don't know that ever happened.

"How long have you known?" I try to press for more insight.

She smiles, shaking her head like it's a joke. "Middle of May. I'm guessing that's close to when this started?" She already knows the answer, it's a rhetorical question.

I nod anyways and take a sip of water. Would Nathan go?

"He wouldn't like this band. Not his style." I say honestly, frowning. 

He likes rap and heavier stuff. He wouldn't go to this.

"Doesn't mean he won't go for you." She adds in a hinting tone.

"It isn't like that, Anna. It's not serious." I try to explain in the best way possible. I don't want her to know more than she has to about that part of my life... it's like explaining my sex life to my mother...

"Just ask and see. Worst case he says no and then you're right back to where you are now." She replies and I give her a small smile. "Maybe he's more serious than you thought." She winks at me and I blush and roll my eyes playfully.

I'll let her think that if she wants to. I know he isn't though... we both know what this is.

"I'll ask." I grin at her and walk towards the stairs to go to my bedroom.

"Oh, and Emily," she calls out to me and I turn back to look at her, "stay clear of your father today. Dinner is cancelled but you and I can eat together later. He's on a rampage." She says quietly, even though I know he isn't in the house to hear.

"Like usual." I huff and she gives me a sympathetic, knowing smile before I turn and head up the stairs.

---

Around 10pm, I crawl into Nathan's bed in my pale pink silk pajama shorts set and move the covers back over me. He grins and pulls me close, snaking his right hand around my waist and sweeping my hair out of face with his left.

He leans in to kiss me and I pull back slightly. He raises his eyebrows and smirks at me, thinking I'm teasing him.

Well, I guess I am. But not intentionally.

"I have a question for you." I say nervously, even though I know what his answer will be.

He's going to say no. It's fine. I'm prepared. He will say no and I'll sell the tickets online.

"Mhmmm," he mumbles distractedly, watching my lips.

"I have a concert on Friday." I start and pause. Maybe I shouldn't even ask... I know he will just decline.

"Fun." He says as his eyes move down to my chest and I feel his hands roam down to my hips.

"I was supposed to go with Jade, but she cancelled." I explain and he moves his mouth to my neck, not listening.

I giggle as his nose tickles the skin behind my ear. "Nathan," I say more sternly so he looks up to my eyes. "Do you want to come with me?" I ask, preparing myself for rejection.

His expression grows more serious as he finally focuses on what I'm saying, but his hands don't move from gripping my hips. "Who's playing?" He asks.

...Not an immediate no, then...

"X Ambassadors." I reply.

The corners of his mouth turn down slightly and I know what he is about to say. 

"I don't like that band." He says, as expected.

"I know. I wouldn't ask if I knew anyone else who liked them." I frown and stare into his hazel eyes, trying to plead with him. 

"I don't know, Emily," he says quietly, leaning back a little. "It's public, isn't it? I thought you didn't want the press finding out about us."

"I know, I thought about that. It's a few cities over. We shouldn't know anyone." I explain and run my right hand down his bare chest slowly. "I just really wanted to go," I pout with as sad of eyes as I can muster.

I can see his mental contemplation through his eyes and I wait silently.

"I guess I can get the night off work." He says reluctantly and I grin widely. I was not expecting this, even after basically begging.

"Really?!" I ask excitedly.

"You'll owe me." He says with a wicked grin as his eyes move back to my lips.

"Hmm..." I smirk up to him and drag my fingers down his torso again, stopping lower this time. His eyes darken seductively as his pupils dilate. "I'm sure I can think of some form of payment you'll like..." I whisper into his ear as I move one leg over to the other side of his hips and sit up on him, letting the blankets fall behind me.

He runs his fingers lightly down my arms, making my skin tingle in their wake.

"I'd like this payment in advance," he plays along as his hands find their way to my thighs and start moving up slowly.

I lean to kiss him in response and he pulls my closer, deepening the kiss as my thoughts race.

I'm equally ecstatic and shocked he agreed to go. Maybe Anna was right... maybe he is more serious about this now.

Or maybe, and much more likely, he just wanted this 'payment' in return.

I'm just not sure which option I want more...

Either way, I'm finally actually going to this goddamn concert.

Author's Note:

Thanks for reading! A bit of a longer and more eventful chapter to make up for the last one.

I know the concert doesn't seem like a big deal and you might think this chapter is overkill on it... just wait for the next 2 chapters. It's important, I swear!

Are you surprised Anna knew about them the whole time?? God, I love her. She might be my favourite character (don't tell Dean... shhhh)!

Anywaysss... please vote, comment, and share!!