started with a lie ➳ raura revised

Chapter Twenty-Nine

"Laura!" he yells before he goes to grab the hood of the car from the pain. "That's the second time you've done that to me within the last few months!"

"Ross? Oh, whoops, sorry. Kind of forgot you were there," I explain, "kind of like you forgot I existed and went running o . How silly of me." I get out of the car and close the door before tilting my head as I watch Ross. I cross my arms.

After he recovers, he finally looks up and smiles at me. "Don't be mad," Ross says, using a soft  voice to lure me in. He walks closer to me and scoops me into a bear hug. I can't move my crossed arms. "I didn't forget you. I was just...really excited because I've always wanted to show someone this and now I have you and I guess I'm so overwhelmed I nearly forgot the most important part of this—you."

My heart crumbles—damn, I'm so easy—and I feel apologetic in an instant. "Really?"

"Yes," he replies and then kisses my forehead and pulls back. "Still angry at me?"

I kiss his shoulder because it's the only stupid part I can reach while I'm held captive in his arms. "I'm sorry for ruining your chances of children."

Ross laughs and then grins. "All is forgiven." He lets me go and extends a hand. "Ready to go?"

"Always," I answer. I take his hand and grasp it firmly.

Ross takes me along through the trees and he moves them away specifically in a way so they won't scrape my skin and I smile as he does. He gets scraped in the face twice but doesn't complain and only makes sure that it doesn't happen to me. For some reason, this gesture is so heartwarming to me and I can't help but smile the whole walk, even if I hate hiking and going outside in general.

I've never been on an actual date-date, and this is probably my first time with Ross holding hands and doing couple things in the public eye. Well, not that there's anyone around for miles, but actually going out and doing couple things.

And when our feelings are real.

That's the best and most amazing part. That this guy—Ross frickin' Lynch—has the same feelings for me as I do for him and I don't think I will ever forget even when my hair is gray and my back is broken.

I hold his hand tighter and he turns back to look at me. We smile at each other as we walk but stop when he gets hit in the face with a branch.

"Ow, shit," he says, rubbing his face as I start laughing. He glares at me. "Wow, thanks for worrying, Laura, but really, I'm fine. Don't worry at all, nope."

"Sorry," I say, giggling. "You should watch where you're going, smarty pants." Ross glares at me before pouting. "I hate you."

"I lo—" I stop. I almost said the word. My eyes are wide and look for Ross's.

He's staring at me, his eyes shining. He's grinning and he is waiting for me to finish my sentence. My heart drops. When all I can manage is a nervous smile, his grin shrinks to a small, sad smile and he nods before we take off again.

It hurts to not give it my one-hundred-percent but I can't be like Ross who throws around the L word and whisks me away on one day dates when he has a fiance. I have to be the reasonable in this relationship. I am saving us both from falling too far.

"We're here," he says, breaking me away from my thoughts that get darker by the second. We've stopped in front of a tree with lots of leaves and I stare at it. I expect something to be there of some sort. I don't know. What am I expecting? A pinata to pop up and for Ross to throw a fiesta?