Chapter 21 Love Him
I’m beyond confused and concerned at their explosive entrance.
Patting his shoulder softly, he lets me down onto my own two feet. I stand slightly in front of him, wanting to shield him from whatever bullshit they’re about to spew.
“What do you want?”
“I wanted to catch you in the act also wanted to inform your little boyfriend about your other boyfriend.”
I feel him stiffen behind me.
“What boyfriend?” Their words do not worry me. I know the truth: Alec is, and has always been, my only boyfriend.
“Wow, you want to try to hide it until the very bitter end?” Lexie adds, shaking her head.
“I don’t have another boyfriend.”
“Sorry, buddy, but she’s been fucking around with one of the counselors, along with you. They sneak out together all the time. Just last week, we saw them making out behind one of the cabins.” Kiersten spells it out like it’s some big revelation.
I scoff out a laugh, unable to believe this. Alec still hasn’t moved behind me, making me slightly nervous that he might be believing the lies coming from them.
“First off, I never dated or slept with the counselor, and second off, I broke things off with him as soon as Alec and I started talking.” I tell the truth, making Lexie smirk.
“Really, because we asked him today and he said you never officially broke things off as you say.”
In hindsight, they might be right about that one, but I assumed it was made pretty clear I wasn’t feeling Kai anymore, especially considering I haven’t seen him in over a week.
“I didn’t think I had to spell it out for him or you. He and I are nothing; we haven’t even spoken to each other in over a week. So fuck off and out of my relationships.”
They ignore me, fixing their attention on him.
“Do you have anything to say? You can’t tell me you believe her lies.”
But he surprises us all by stepping forward to close the distance between us. His hand came to rest on my hip. “I believe what she says. Why would I trust you guys over her anyway?”
Kiersten opens her mouth to speak again.
“I think this conversation is done. We’ll leave first.” He interlaces his hand in mine, and we walk out of the cabin.
I don’t think he had a plan on where to go after that because we ended up wandering to the pond. It’s busy right now, being the middle of the day, but he doesn’t stop there. He doesn’t stop walking until we’re past the camp's property, deeper into the woods. He stops where a stump and the cut-down tree still rest on the ground.
“You do actually believe me, right?” He lets go of my hand, walking a few steps in front of me.
“Yeah, I believe you, Anneliese.” I feel small right now because of his tone.
“Then why do you sound upset with me?” He stops his steps, looking back at me, his face dropping.
“No, I’m not upset with you. I never met to make you think that. I just-” He pauses, trying to find his words. “You know I have anger issues sometimes, and sometimes that involves jealousy, so it was kind of hard to hear about you with another guy, but I trust you, and I would never get mad at you for experiences you had before you met me.”
I take a step towards him and bring both my hands up to rub his arms. “Good, because I like you and only you, Alec. I’m not even glancing at another guy, let alone kissing one. And yes, unfortunately, I can admit that I didn’t flat-out break things off with Kai, but there wasn’t really something specific to break off in the first place.”
“I know, honey. I trust you.”
Honey, what a simple but sweet pet name that means so much coming from him. We spend the rest of our time in the woods by the tree. It isn’t much, but just being with him is enough these days. He leaves me at the pond, trusting I can make my way back to the cabin.
As soon as the cabin is in view, I see Beth running up to me.
“Oh my gosh, are you okay? I saw them come barging in their but a counselor pulled me away before I could come help.”
I nod, half dazed at everything that just happened. “Yeah, I’m more than fine, but you have to hear about this.”
My retelling of Beth may exaggerate Alec in some ways, but it’s not my fault; it’s how he came across in this instance. She oogles at the fact that he stood up for me, and then we ran away together. Talking about it after the fact really makes me realize even more how hot it was.
“I should’ve jumped his bones.”
Beth bursts out laughing at my sudden, inappropriate statement.
“Next time you see him, maybe you should. He stood up for you perfectly. And the fact that he believed you. I’m so jealous of you right now.”
I laugh at her, although it’s not funny because I understand how she feels. If I weren’t the one who had him, I’d be feeling the same way.
“I think I’m in love.” I admit.
“Well, it’s a bit early, but you know what they say, when you know you know. And if you think you’re in love with him, then that’s wonderful. I’m happy for you, Anna.”
“But do you think I should tell him so soon?”
I don’t know why this suddenly turned into advice time from Beth, but I’m in desperate need of it, so I’ll take it where I can get it.
“Honestly, I think you tell him whenever you’re ready because if I’ve learned anything by meeting him, it’s that he’s madly in love with you. I mean, seriously, he looked at me for two seconds, and the rest of the time all he could look at was you.”
Her admission warms my heart. I think the next time I see him, I’ll tell him the truth.
Tell him that I love him.