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Dedication: Caessium for the amaaaazing book jacket! It looks awesome!

Recap:

"I miss you."

She turned, pressing her palms to my cheeks. "I'm sorry that I'm never home and I'm sorry that when I'm home, I'm tired."

"I get it, your job is demanding."

"I love you."

"I love you, too."

She pulled me into her arms and I buried my face into her chest.

Turns out, this was a day filled with surprises.

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My eyes feel heavy with exhaustion.

Rubbing my face wearily, I roll over to the other side of my bed. My eyes fly open as the time reads 10:15am.

I sit up, peering around and groan loudly, before falling back down onto my mattress. I must have been so tired last night, I forgot to set an alarm. I missed swim practise and I was very late for school.

Unplugging my phone, I pull it towards me. I have a missed call and seven messages from Harvey. My heart swells as I see his name on my screen. Does this mean he isn't mad at me anymore?

Missed Call - Harvey at 9:21am.

Harvey: You're late.

Harvey: Okay, are you not coming or?

Harvey: Look, I'm sorry I got mad at you. Can we just move on from this and pretend it never happened?

Harvey: Great. You're avoiding me AND ignoring me now. Cool.

Harvey: Okay, come on. Let's just be mature about this. Yeah, we're best friends, I'm happy that we are. I don't want anything to change.

Harvey: Can you just reply? Or better yet, COME TO SCHOOL!

Harvey: P.S You missed swim practise. The Coach is going to be pissed.

I roll my eyes and feel an immense relief that he is talking to me again.

He is right about one thing. The Coach is going to be pissed. Tomorrow is going to be hell.

Grace: You're a dork. I just woke up. Come over tonight for dinner?

Harvey: Thank God!!! You scared me half to death.

Harvey: Were you avoiding me tho?

Grace: I forgot to set an alarm last night.

Harvey: Right. Dinner sounds good, I'll be around after school.

Grace: Sweet.

Harvey: We're all good, yeah?

Grace: Of course.

Harvey: Good. See you then.

Grace: 👍🏼

Laughing quietly to myself, I drag my body out of bed. I can't keep the smile off my face as I prepare breakfast. I'm so glad, beyond words, that Harvey and I are okay. 

As I have the day off, I decide to put myself to work. After letting my stomach settle after breakfast, I went for a run and then proceeded to complete the work out I did last Saturday.

With sweat dripping off of me, I wash my face, before doing the laundry, sweeping the kitchen and making sure all the washing up is done. I stand back and admire my work.

After having a nice, well-deserved shower and washing my hair, I ride my skateboard down to the shops. Placing it against the wall, I grab a basket and make my way into the grocery store.

The first person I see is a teacher. He has his back to me. I glance at my phone and realise it is lunch break. Possibly, the worst time to come shopping. If I get caught, it might take more than an article from my mother to keep me out of trouble, again.

I duck into the closest aisle and waite until he was through the check out. I let of a sigh. That was a close call. I look down at my list and began to stock up the basket, until it was too heavy and was physically weighing me down. I heave a sigh. I should have grabbed a trolley.

As I was getting another jar of vegemite, I step back into someone.

"Oh, sorry," I say, automatically turning.

The Coach stares down at me.

"Oh. Shit."

"Yeah," he says, folding his arms across his chest. "What do you think you're doing?"

"Getting more vegemite," I reply simply, waving the jar around.

He frowns at me. "Not only did you not attend the practise comp, you didn't attend this morning's practise."

"Really? I had no idea."

He purses his lips. "I'm not appreciating your attitude."

"Well, I'm not appreciating the way you've been treating me," I snap back. I place the basket down on the floor and glare up at him. "You were the only one on the team that was there for me. You were the only supportive and kind one. Now, you're worse than them." I shake my head in anger. "I was so wrong about you."

His face fell as he took in my words. His eyes soften as they meet mine.

"I was out of line."

"Ya think?" I ask, my voice icy. "Oh and as for the practise comp - you wanted me to come and watch my team? That's just cruel."

He rubs the back of his neck. Silence crackles between us for a few moments.

"I'm sorry for how I treated you."

"Apology not accepted."

"Grace-"

"No," I interject, raising a hand. "You're ridiculous. I don't want to hear your bullshit excuse for the way you acted. I'm done."

With that, I grabbed the basket with a huff and march to the check out. I tap my foot restlessly as I wait in line.

I hear someone walk behind me. I glance back to see Ashton standing there. I turn my back to him.

"Hi, how are you today?" the girl asks me as I haul the basket onto the conveyor belt.

"Good thanks," I reply with a half-ass attempt at a positive smile. "How are you?"

"Good," she smiles in return as she scans my items.

I hand her my environment-friendly bags and watch, with growing concern, as she loads them up. I underestimated how many groceries I was going to buy, considering I had to skate home. I should have walk, now I have all these to carry and my skateboard.

"Thank you," I say as she hands me the receipt.

I gather my groceries and notice that Ashton was only buying a packet of chewing gum. I grumble under my breath as I waddle out the door. These bags are heavier than I thought they were going to be.

Just as I get to my board, Ashton skirts around me, picks up my board and casually strolls to his car.

"Hey!" I call out after him. "Give that back!"

"Come and get it," he taunts over his shoulder.

"Unbelievable," I mutter, stomping over to his car.

As I reach it, he opens the back door and takes the groceries from me.

"Excuse me!"

"You're excused," he replies as he continues to load up his car.

"What the hell are you doing?"

He then opened the passenger door, went behind me and gently pushed me. I whipped around, my eyes narrowing.

"I'm not getting in the car with you, even if you are holding my groceries hostage."

"Get in the car."

"No."

He let out a sigh. I turned and began to walk from him. Suddenly, my feet are off the ground. I let out a high-pitch shriek as he picks me up, bridal style.

"Put me down!" I exclaim.

I try to put my leg on the door frame, but my foot slipped. He places me in the passenger seat and buckles me in, before locking the door. My mouth is hanging open as he walks, unhurriedly, around to the drive side and slid in.

"This is kidnapping."

"Quit being dramatic."

"I'm going to scream," I warn.

"Go ahead," he shrugs. "Won't be the first time I'll make you scream."

My jaw drops as he starts the car. What did he just say to me?

"Your face," he chuckles, glancing at me. "Priceless."

My heart is racing in my chest as we drive. I grip the seat, feeling sick in the stomach.

Did he want to hook up with me again? Or was that just some line he came up with on the spot? He was so damn confusing.

His usual, clean-shaven face has a rugged vibe and his hair is just-rolled-out-of-bed type messy. He seemed a little crazed-being mad at me one minute-flirty the next. Maybe he has bipolar?

I wipe my forehead with the back of my hand and stare out the window, my eyes closing.

"Wow, you're really freaking out," he says slowly. "I'm sorry if I scared you. Do you want me to pull over?"

"Just get me home," I whisper.

The car pulled to a stop in my driveway and I tumble out of it, breathless. I place a hand on my chest and could feel my heart beating rapidly.

"Woah, I'm sorry," he says, slowly approaching me.

"It's not you," I mutter, trying to calm my breathing. "Driving gives me major anxiety."

"Oh, I'm sorry," he murmurs. "I didn't know."

"Now you do," I mutter darkly, turning from him. I stare at the ground and begin to count the little rocks on my driveway. The more I count, the easier it feels to breathe. My muscles steadily unwind as my heart rate slows.

"Why do you get so upset?"

I turn back to him. He is leaning against his car. His broad shoulders are prominent in his tight, navy shirt. His soft, blond locks messily fell across his forehead. He has to be easily over six foot tall. His cheeks are slightly red, almost as if they are sunburnt, as he stares at me. His expression soft and caring-something I haven't seen from him for a while.

"My father and I were in a bad accident. I was trapped in the car, while my father died right next to me."

His lips parted as he gazes at me, perplexed. "I had no idea."

Swallowing uneasily, I move around him and open the door. I begin to grab my groceries, when Ashton's fingers wrapped around my bicep. He tugs me back.

"I'll get them."

Pressing my skateboard to my side, I walk up to the front door and open it, mentally cursing myself for forgetting to lock again. He follows me inside.

He let out a whistle. "Nice house."

"Thanks."

He set the bags down onto the table and passes me the items.

"So," he starts awkwardly. "I've been an ass."

"You have," I agree.

"I was annoyed with you."

"And why was that?" I ask, not bothering to look back at him.

"I was jealous."

"Of?"

"You and that guy you're always with."

"Harvey?" I question, my eyebrows shooting up.

"Yes."

I let out a laugh. "You're stupid."

"You're always with him. You're always smiling and laughing and touching. After what happened, the only thing I wanted to do, was grab you and hold you, but you went straight to Harvey and he held you. He hugged you."

I turn and stare at him.

"He's my best friend. You're my Coach. Big difference."

A hurt look flashes across his face.

"I was annoyed. I was hearing rumours about you two. After what happened between us, for you to just discard it and two time me? I was pissed."

"I can't really two time you if we're not dating."

"But-"

"No, listen here," I snap, jabbing my finger at him. "You had no right to go and act like a jealous boyfriend when you're not my boyfriend. We made out once and then you wouldn't look at me, which is super childish by the way, and then proceeded to act like a fucking asshole in front of everyone. You suspended me from my first swim comp!"

"You talked back to me!" he argues. "I couldn't let you go unpunished."

"You had been punishing me the whole time!" I scream, throwing my hands in the air. "I wouldn't have spoken back if you just laid off!"

He let out an aggravated sigh, running his hand through his hair. "Look, I was mad, okay? What made it worse, the rumours got more detailed. It wasn't just people assuming. You two did kiss, didn't you?"

"Not before you acted like an idiot," I state. "But yes, we did. Not that it is any of your concern."

"It is my concern."

"It is not!" I exclaim, my cheeks growing hot.

Suddenly, he is striding towards me. He shoves me back against my cupboard door and I gasp. He places his finger under my chin, forcing me to look at him.

"It is my concern. I want you."

I glare up at him. "Maybe I don't want you."

"Really?" he questions. "Then why is your heart racing?"

I swallow. He was right. My heart is galloping inside my chest. "Because you just shoved me into the cupboard door."

"Why are you trembling?"

"Because you're towering over me!"

"Why do you want me to kiss you right now?"

"I don't-"

His lips hungrily meet mine and my knees knock together, before giving out. He pulls me to him and I wrap my legs around his waist. His tongue invaded my mouth and took possession over mine. His lips move fast and hard, as if time is running out and we needed to be with each other right now.

I told myself not to do this again. He is my Coach. This is wrong.

His fingers sink into my hair, his nails scraping over my scalp. I tilt my head back, giving him more access. He roughly places me onto the kitchen table. Snaking my arms around his neck, I pull him closer to me.

His hand trails down my bare thigh. I pull back from the kiss, feeling breathless. Slowly, unbuttons my dress, my skin feeling like fire at each graze. He stares adoringly down at me.

"I have wanted you ever since I first laid eyes on you," he whispers, his lips swollen.

I gaze up at him. I pull my arms back and trail my fingers down his defined chest. I could feel every bit if muscle, underneath his shirt.

"You shouldn't have treated me like that," I whisper. "It made me hate you."

"No, it didn't," he breathes, before he pressed his lips to mine.

His kisses have a drugging affect. It made me feel woozy and disorientated. He mumbles something into my skin. I can't quite make it out, it sounded like a name, just not mine...

His lips move from my mouth, to my jaw and down to my neck, completely distracting me from my thoughts. His teeth nip at my skin and I let out a soft whimper. He is teasing me and it is working.

"Do you want me?" he whispers against me skin.

My breathing is heavy as my eyes roll back into my head. I grip his hair, holding him to me tightly.

"Say it," he murmurs, his lips moving down to my collarbones. "Say you want me, Car."

I jerk. "What?"

He let out a growl, before slamming his lips to mine, ignoring me.

"Wait," I whisper breathlessly. "What did you say?"

He pulls back from me, his chest rising and falling. Slowly, his eyes never leaving mine, he pulls out his wallet. My whole body was shuddering at the thought. I don't want to do this with him. It's not right.

Suddenly, I hear my front door open.

"Yo, Grace," a voice calls. "What did you want for dinner? I was thinking burgers or something-"

Harvey walks into the kitchen and freezes, his eyes widening. His face physically paled. I reel into sitting position, completely mortified. My dress is hanging off me, exposing my bra. Ashton stood there, his hair messy, his clothes dishevelled.

Oh my God.

"Wow," he says slowly, his eyes filled with disappointment as he looks between us. "I should learn to knock."

He turns quickly and strides from the kitchen.

Tears burn at my eyes as I lay back onto the table, burying my face into my hands.

Crap.

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What do you think of Ashton and Grace making up? Do you think his reasoning justifies his behaviour or not? (Don't hate me).

And just as Harvey and Grace got back on track, this happens. What do you think is going to happen now?

Thank you for reading!

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