Aspen’s hands tightened around mine. “Ella, is that what you think?” His eyes softened.
“I don’t know.” I cried. My hands pulled away from him, and I shrunk myself into a ball. I knew Aspen loved me, but I just couldn’t get the thought of him and Sam out of my head. All I could picture was Sam laughing at me.
Aspen cupped my face. “I love you,” he said.
“I know.” I nodded. I really did know that, and I believed it.
He leaned close to me, and his lips met mine. The kisses he gave me were gentle and soft. They were just what I needed to make me feel better. Warmth spread throughout my body, and I placed my hand on the bed for balance.
He pulled back and looked me in the eye. “I love you, not Sam. I don’t want Sam. I want you,” Aspen said. My emerald eyes watched his movement as he suddenly stood up. “I’m in love with you Isabella Sophia Branson!” he yelled with his arms wide open.
His gesture made me giggle. “You’re sure?” I teased.
Aspen smirked at me and rushed over to my window. He pushed it open and stuck his head out of it.
“Aspen!” I reprimanded him, but it was too late.
“I’m in love with Isabella Sophia Branson!” he shouted again out the window.
Laughing, I noticed my neighbor across the street look up from watering her flowers. Her dark eyes met Aspen’s and she gave him a deathly look. I reached out for Aspen and pulled him back in, reaching back to the window to pull it down. When I turned back to him, Aspen’s body was pressed up against mine as he leaned against the now closed window.
“You’re insane.” I giggled and reached for his lips. Our height difference made kissing a little difficult sometimes, but at the same time it made it all more romantic.
“Insanely in love.” Aspen smiled just as his lips met mine, and I fell in love with him again.
“Honey,” Mom said as she walked in. At the sight of us kissing, she gave a squeal. Aspen and I broke away immediately, and I felt my face become warm. “I didn’t realize you guys were together.” Her mouth was gaped open, and her eyes quickly looked back and forth between us. Aspen was holding my hand, but I dropped it. He looked at me with confused eyes.
“We’ve actually been dating for a couple of months now,” Aspen announced and placed his arm on my shoulder. I cast my eyes toward the floor and shrunk a little under him. This was not how I planned telling my mom about us. In my mind, I planned it to happen at dinner in maybe Truffles. I knew I should have told her sooner considering we had been dating for a little while and I had promised mom I’d tell her once we did. But I was still in shock. Aspen, the Aspen Carder, was dating me, and I didn’t want to have my parents treating him as if he was already their son-in-law. Talk about embarrassing.
“Wow, well that’s news to me.” Mom eyed us both. My face tightened. What did she come into my room for again? “I’m just reminding you to pack.”
Crap, I didn’t tell Aspen about that either. He now glared at me. “Pack for what?” he asked.
“We’re leaving tomorrow for Maine,” Mom said to Aspen. “We’re visiting my parents for Thanksgiving.” She smiled. She was happy that we were going to Maine for once to see her family. We usually stayed home with Dad’s side of the family before.
“Sounds like fun,” Aspen said, but I could feel his stiffness next to me.
“If Ella doesn’t mind, you’re welcome to join us.” Mom added. She looked at me with stern eyes. “But Ella, you must start packing now.” Nodding, she left the room and went to Sam’s, probably to remind her of the same thing.
“So,” Aspen said once Mom was gone. His hand slid off my shoulders, and he walked away from me. He pointed his finger at the hallway and said, “Your family doesn’t know about us?” The confusion on his face wasn’t lost on me.
“I’m sorry.” I sighed and I went to him. My hands wrapped around his waist, but he removed himself from me.
Aspen pushed for further questions. “I told my mom about the first date we went to. That’s why she made us the pasta. Did your parents even know about that?” His arms reached up and brushed his hair.
“Things are crazy around here,” I reasoned. “My parents were way too eager for me to date you, so when we started to actually date, I didn’t feel comfortable telling them.”
“But if they liked me, why was it a problem?”
I let out a long breath. “It isn’t. You’re right. I should’ve told them the second we became official.”
Now Aspen sighed. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be mad about it. We’re together, and that’s all I want.” His hands now reached for me and cupped my face.
“Same here, Carder.”
Aspen made a face. “No, no. The last name thing only works for me.”
I laughed. “Oh really?”
“Yes, Branson. Really.”
“You’re right, it doesn’t sound right when I say it.”
“I’m glad you realized that. Now!” Aspen exclaimed and let go of my face. “What is this about Maine?”
“Sorry.” I frowned. “I haven’t had the time to tell you, but look, now you can come with us!” It wasn’t even remotely surprising that my mom invited him, but I did think it was cute that she extended the offer.
“What if I don’t want to? I mean, you did bail on the last trip that I invited you to.” I knew he was only making a joke, but he sounded bitter and cold as well.
“Did Sam tell you something?” I leaned closer to him. That would be the only reason why he found out about the true reason I didn’t go to Disney.
“She told me you didn’t feel comfortable spending a weekend alone with me, but that’s totally understandable.” He smiled and kissed my lips.
“Really? You’re not mad?”
“Mad? No! I just wish you had told me the truth.” He brushed a piece of my blonde hair behind my ear. “I would never be mad. You know that, right?”
“Of course, I do! I just didn’t want to upset you,” I confessed. “You were so excited, and I was nervous.”
“Branson, I love you. I don’t want you to hide anything from our relationship. If you don’t feel comfortable with something between us, then tell me. We’re boyfriend and girlfriend.”
Hearing him say that made our relationship feel even more real. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I just really didn’t want you to get upset, but now I know that I should because it would only make us stronger.” I smiled.
“Babe, we’re stronger than ever now.” His lips brushed mine, and my body increased in temperature. His hands slid down my back, and he pulled me closer to him. My hands ran through his hair and held on as he kissed me.
“I love you,” I whispered as his lips left mine to trail down my neck.
“I love you too,” he replied. We slowly made our way to my bed, and he laid me there to continue his soft kisses.
Chapter 26
No PDA
It took us two complete days to drive from Florida to Maine. The car was very cramped. Since Mom invited Aspen, we all took up the entire back seat. Aspen sat behind Dad, who was the one driving. I sat in the middle and then Sam. When I wasn’t leaning on Aspen, Sam was flicking me and telling me that my “fat robotic ass” was taking up too much space. What the hell was a robotic ass anyway? I swore her insults were becoming worse by the day.
“Babe, you can rest on my lap,” Aspen had whispered when we were in New York. My eyes were already dreary and my body exhausted. As soon as he said that, my body automatically dropped onto him, and I fell asleep within seconds. I didn’t wake up until we were in Portland.
We arrived at the house around three in the afternoon. Grandma was standing outside with a buffet of food. Sam practically fell out of the car before we even stopped. When the car doors finally opened, I never appreciated fresh air more. The crisp air felt perfect against my stiff skin. When my parents, Aspen, and I all came back outside after putting our bags away, Sam was already done eating her sandwich.
&n
bsp; “I’ve missed you sweetie,” Grandma said when she embraced me. “And I see you even brought a friend.” she added as she eyed Aspen up and down.
“It’s a pleasure.” Aspen smiled and shook her hand.
“Ooh, firm handshake.” Grandma laughed. “And he’s handsome. What a keeper!” She squeaked.
“Grandma!” I shouted. Did she seriously have to call him that while we were both standing there? Aspen’s smile only grew wider while he gripped my hand.
“Thank you.” He nodded at Grandma.
Grandma looked between us both and clapped her hands. “Come now! Let’s eat. The ride must have been awful if Sam actually ate her meal.”
My parents and I gave a stiff laugh. Two years ago, Sam didn’t eat much, and she weighed only ninety pounds. The changes of high school had gotten to her and forced her down a bad path, but somehow everyone still loved her. All of her friends supported her and helped her get better. Even when she was going through that, she didn’t talk to me. When I asked her if she wanted my help, she would only scream at me insisting I was the one who needed help.
“We haven’t stopped for food since eight,” I said and ran over to the table.
For once, the air was cold. It felt good having chilly air surround us instead of almost suffering from a heat stroke.
“This weather reminds me of New York,” Aspen whispered into my ear as he took a seat beside me.
I smiled at him and took a plate of pasta salad. Grandpa always made the best one. I shoveled it into my mouth, but it didn’t taste the same. Scrunching my nose, I swallowed it.
“Sorry about the salad, dear. Grandpa wasn’t able to make his, so I had to make mine instead,” Grandma explained. When she saw the look on my face, she laughed.
“Isabella’s just picky. The pasta salad is great,” Sam said with an angelic smile.
“Sam,” Dad said before things could get carried away between us.
“All right. I’m going to discuss that matter we’re all thinking about.” Mom stood up with her glass of wine Grandma had poured her as soon as we parked. “Sam and Ella will be sharing the guest bedroom. Aspen, you can sleep in my brother’s old room.”
“What?” Sam and I screamed at the same time. We both flew out of chairs and stared at Mom with open mouths.
“This is so not fair!” I yelled. “Why can’t Aspen and I share the guest bedroom? We wouldn’t be in the same bed.” My face was turning a dark shade of red from this conversation. Sleeping in the same room as Aspen made me nervous, but it was a lot better than sharing a room with an exorcist.
“Ella, you know we can’t allow that,” Dad said firmly, and my blood began to boil.
“Ella, if it’s a big deal, I’ll sleep on the couch and you can get the other bedroom,” Aspen said next to me, stroking my arm. Slowly, my blood was turning back to normal temperature.
“Wow, Aspen.” Sam scoffed and rolled her eyes, emphatically folding her arms on her chest.
“That’s sweet of you Aspen,” I said and kissed him gently. “But it’s not fair to you. You shouldn’t have to sleep on the couch.” Sam was my mortal enemy, but I would share a room with her for Aspen. In fact, I would do anything for Aspen.
“All right then, it’s settled,” Mom announced. “Girls, go unpack in your room.” She nodded toward the door. “Aspen, you may do the same.”
Aspen thanked my parents and Grandma before he clasped my hand and we trudged into the house.
“I swear I’m not going to wake up tomorrow,” I said, shaking my head. “Samantha’s going to murder me in my sleep and make it look like I accidentally fell off the bed or something.”
Aspen laughed out loud. “You think too much Branson.” Then his lips brushed the top of my head.
“I’m a realist,” I said.
We turned the corner and headed up the stairs to the second floor. Each step creaked as we lugged our feet up.
When we reached the top of the steps, Sam was already there, her body poised against the paisley blue-painted walls. “Give me some credit, Isabella,” she said. “I would totally admit to killing you. I mean, everyone would be thanking me. I’d practically become a celebrity!” She squealed. “I can see the newspaper heading now,” she said, holding out her hand up in the air, “‘World Saved from Horrid Twin by Samantha Branson.’ Oh, that’ll be the day.” She smiled, clearly proud of herself.
“Knock it off, Samantha,” Aspen said, narrowing his eyes at her. “You’re acting like a bitch.”
Sam laughed. “Hmm. I wouldn’t say that if I were you, Aspen, considering the things I know.” With that, she winked at us and skipped into our room at the end of the hall.
“What does she know?” I said and turned to Aspen. His hair was ruffled from the long car ride, but I had to admit it made him a hundred times sexier.
“Nothing that you don’t know,” he said and gave me a quick kiss. “She thinks that she knows all my secrets, but that’s not true.” Aspen smiled. “You know all my secrets.”
“And you know all of mine.” I smiled back and leaned into him for a kiss. Thankfully, his lips met mine halfway.
“Please hide the PDA!” A shout came from the bottom of the steps. I looked and saw that it was Grandma. She winked at me with a small smile before proceeding into the kitchen, away from our line of vision.
“Sorry, ma’am!” Aspen said. I raised an eyebrow at him. “What?” He shrugged. “I’m being polite.”
“I didn’t know that was in your vocabulary.” I laughed.
“Oh yeah?” Now Aspen raised a brow. His arm reached down my waist and pinched my butt cheeks.
“Aspen!” I squealed and jumped a little. His eyes darkened, and I backed away. “Whatever you’re thinking, stop.”
“What? I’m just planning on having some fun this week.” He smirked. He raised his hands, and he wiggled his index finger.
“Aspen, no!” I reprimanded. He didn’t understand the word ‘no’ though, because right after that, he chased me down the hall tapping my butt.
“Aspen!” I shrieked and ran into his room. I shut the door so that he couldn’t tickle me.
“Branson, you gotta let me in,” he said with a husky voice.
“Only if you play nice,” I said through the door.
“Oh, I’ll play nice.”
I threw open the door and immediately he grabbed my waist. Before I could even cry out, he placed his lips on mine and kissed me hard. His firm hands lifted me up and I obliged, wrapping my legs around his waist while he held me close. His tongue entered my mouth and I melted into him.
My body was pushed up against the cream wall of my uncle’s old room, and he continued to run his hands all down my back as he kissed me harder and deeper. I was beginning to feel hot. This was the best feeling ever. I didn’t know why we never made out more.
“Now, what did I say about the PDA?” Grandma said suddenly from the doorway.
Aspen immediately dropped me at the sound of her voice, and my head hit the wall before my feet were planted on the ground.
“Ow,” I murmured and rubbed my head.
Aspen didn’t say anything. He was looking down at the wooden floor. Behind his back, his hands were holding one another.
Grandma laughed at the embarrassed look on our faces.
“Hey, I don’t really have a problem with it, but I know two people who do,” Grandma said, nodding down the hall. She held a smile at the two of us. “Now, Ella go unpack before your mom ships Aspen home.”
“Yes Grandma,” I mumbled and quickly rushed by her. Aspen and I caught eyes before I disappeared into my room and saw him smirk, ang giving me a wink with his twinkling eyes.
God, did I love him.
Chapter 27
Attacked Me in Bed
From two rooms down, I could hear Aspen snoring.
It had been three days of sleepless nights.
“Your boyfriend needs to shut up,” Sam whispered one night.
“I didn’t
realize he snored this loudly.” I sighed. When I slept over in his house, I didn’t even hear him snore, and we had shared a bed. Then again, I was very drunk. He probably could’ve killed someone in the room, and I still wouldn’t remember it. That night was not a good one for our relationship, but here we were, two months later on a vacation.
Sam flung the blankets off herself and stood up.
“What are you doing?” I hissed, careful not to wake anyone up.
“I’m telling your boyfriend to sleep in the basement, so we don’t have to hear him.”
“No! Stop!” I jumped up out of bed and my feet banged against the floor. The snoring stopped. Hopefully, I didn’t wake anyone up.
Sam looked at me, her eyes narrowed, her brows furrowed.
“Let me go,” I mumbled and scooted past her. The hallway was pitch black, and most doors were shut except for Aspen’s. Seriously, that door should have been bolted shut.
“Even I knew he snored, Ella,” Sam whispered behind me.
Ignoring her comment, I went down to his room and sidestepped into it. I saw him lying on his bed wearing only his underwear. The blankets were on the floor and his pillow was barely under his head. Boy, was he a rough sleeper.
“Aspen,” I whispered and inched closer to him. “Aspen,” I whispered again when he still didn’t wake up. Reaching my hand out, I shook him until he woke up.
“Coming to seduce me already?” he mumbled.
A smile spread across my face. “You snore.”
“Thanks.” Aspen smiled and rubbed his lips together. Never had a groggy person looked so hot.
“Sam wanted me to shut you up,” I said and leaned against his bed.
“I know a way you can shut me up.” Aspen smirked. Before I knew it, his hands grabbed my waist and pulled me into the bed with him, rolling his body on top of mine. From our position, I could feel the pressure of his groin as he stared down at me. “You are so sexy in your soccer shorts.”
“And you’re sexy in your heart boxers.” I giggled.
Try and Catch Me: A Young Adult Fiction Page 15