Always There

Chapter Two

I feel so fucking helpless.

"Blossom? Talk to me, my love. Please," I beg, and though she doesn't look towards me, she does speak to me.

"I saw their suitcases in the spare bedroom. The bedroom that is supposed to be mine in less than a month's time," she chokes out. "I can't believe that you have two people staying with you and you didn't even bother telling me, as if I wouldn't be over at all while they're there with you."

I open my mouth to defend myself but she snaps, cutting me off.

"I'm not finished, Bryce! Can't you keep your damn mouth shut for two freaking minutes? Anyway, I hope you know that if you have sex with her tonight . . . I'll be beyond devastated. Words won't even be able to describe the feeling. I don't think I'd ever be able to forgive you. Sex is so special to me and I like the idea of us only being with each other from now on," she concludes, slumping back in her seat.

She uses the sleeve of the sweatshirt to dab away at some of the tears, and once her face is significantly more dry she takes a deep breath in, holding for a few seconds before exhaling.

"I didn't know that they were coming, baby. If I had known, I would've told you. I really hoped that you would never have to meet either of them, as they're not people you would want to be associated with. I won't have sex with Scarlett, I promise. Nothing will happen between us whatsoever," I swear, and Blossom whimpers.

"She was sitting in your lap. I hate that image, and it's still engraved in my mind. I love sitting in your lap and I don't want any other girl to, but you still let her," Blossom sighs, curling herself up into a ball with her knees to her chest.

"I know, and once again, I'm so fucking sorry," I respond.

Blossom just nods at me, glancing down at the pile of clothes in my lap. "Do you want this sweater back?" she asks me. "I can just wear the other one."

I shake my head at her, pulling the sweatshirt I'm holding up over my head, telling her, "It's fine. I know that you like wearing my clothes right after I've worn them so that they smell like me."

Her cheeks blush red, and I swear that I see the slightest trace of a smile reach her lips.

"You're right," she whispers, and I grin as I hand her the pair of sweatpants.

"Put these on, baby. I don't want my girl getting frostbite," I murmur, and she slowly unfolds the pants.

"Um . . . could you maybe just close your eyes for a minute? I want to take these shorts off. I'd rather not wear them under the pants," Blossom responds nervously, her cheeks turning an even deeper shade of red.

"I've seen you naked several times before, Blossom," I remind her, hoping to get a laugh out of her.

Blossom twists her head around to look at me, the smile gone from her face.

"Yeah, but you just saw her so close to naked and the thought is making me uncomfortable," she mutters, and I frown.

As much as it breaks my heart to not fight her on the matter, I shut my eyes.

I hear the sound of her shuffling around, presumably pulling her shorts off and then putting on the pants.

A few seconds later, Blossom taps me on the hand a few times, and I swear to God that literal fucking chills shoot through my body from even just the smallest skin-on-skin contact with her.

"You can open your eyes now, Bryce," she whispers, and as my eyes open I feel her dainty fingers close around mine.

"I know that you really don't want to touch me right now, but I think a hug may make you feel better," I suggest, and I watch as she slowly climbs over the centre console and into my lap.

She wraps her legs around my waist, her arms around my neck, before nuzzling her face against my chest.

I wrap my own arms around her small body and she feels so right in my arms like this. I love how she clings to me as if I'm her rock, and I love how she trusts me even though she's still upset about the Scarlett situation.

I stroke her back as she remains still. She seems to be breathing in my scent as she presses her face to my chest, and I try my best to memorise how she feels in my arms just incase this doesn't happen again.

"Can we talk about something? Without you getting offended. I just think that this conversation needs to happen before I move in with you," Blossom asks, her face still pressed against me.

Although I have no fucking clue what she's talking about, I nod before resting my chin atop her head.

"Of course, beautiful," I tell her, and she squeezes me tighter.

"Well I just . . . I just want to make sure that you still want me. It's okay if you don't, I guess: you deserve to be happy. But I just . . . I don't know. You get my point," Blossom mutters, and I feel her press her face harder against my chest.

I pause, blinking a few times as I remain silent.

What have I been doing wrong to give her the impression that I don't want her anymore?

"Baby girl . . ." I trail off. "Of course I still want you. You're my everything. I love you. So much."

She sits back in my lap so that she can now look me in the eye, and I see surprise in her eyes.

"Oh. Um, that's good," she responds awkwardly.

I frown, not sure what the hell is going through her mind right now.

"Do you love me back?" I ask her, and her eyes go wide with shock.

"Oh! Yeah. Of course I love you, Bryce. So, so much. You're so perfect and you're so sweet to me and you always know how to make me the happiest girl alive. Thank you for everything," she responds, and I draw her back to my body so that her head is on my shoulder.

"Thank fucking God. Just let me hold you for a moment, sweetheart," I whisper to her, and she just nods in agreement.

I enjoy the quietness for a little while. I hear Blossom begin to cry at some point in time, and so I play with her hair as I whisper how much I love her, how much I want to be with her forever.

"I want to bring you somewhere where we can just be us and talk about shit. Is that okay? Are you all right being alone with me?" I ask her.

"Yes," she chokes out. "Please bring me somewhere else, Bryce. Please."

A/N: Hey guys! I know it's been a little while, but I'm kind of letting the stress of school catch up to me and so I haven't really been in a good headspace to write lately.

What do you think Lexi and Bryce need to talk about? Do you think Bryce should apologize for how Lexi found him and Scarlett even though he and Scarlett didn't do anything together?

I really want to reach 1k reads on here by chapter four, so please share, vote, and comment to get this book ranked!