Oh, Baby! #Wattys2020

Chapter Twenty Five

Bella's leg jiggles with pent up nerves. Hale sat across from her, a brow raised. This was the first moment of alone time that they've had all day. Other than the brief hug after the altercation with that frat boy. She knows he expects a story. An explanation for her disappearance last night. This would be the first time she's told anyone out of her family all of the things that happened with Austin. Would he hate her after finding out all the disgusting she's done? Would he deem it too much baggage?

Would he think she's not over Austin because she can't face him? There was a lot riding on this. It was laying her cards out on the table before the game had even begun. She was going to spill her guts before him and hope he still wanted her. The thought made her sick, but it had to be done. He told her about his step dad, he opened up to her, and while that doesn't warrant something in return, it seems only fair she share this with him.

"My freshman year I went to a private school out of state. There I fell into the hands of a smooth talking, charismatic, popular senior." Bella winced. It was really pathetic. She was pathetic. Hale's eyes darkened, his mind catching on to where this story was going. He'd heard rumors passed around school. He didn't believe them.

"He took advantage of my innocence. Kept me his dirty little secret, forced me to watch him flaunt the prettiest girls in school while I developed feelings for the guy I saw behind closed doors." Bella fidgets, avoiding Hale's gaze. His face morphs into a frown.

"Long story short, I got tired of it, told him I was done being his toy." She pauses, taking a deep breath, "He retaliated by spreading intimate details of our relationship around school. He publicly humiliated me and brought on a hailstorm of bullying." Her leg jiggles faster. "That's why the crowds bother me, that's why I hate being the center of attention."

Hale doesn't respond, anger coursing through his veins. He clutches and unclutches his hands. Knowing someone hurt the girl he cherishes and loves to the point that Austin did Bella made his blood boil. Bella deserves the world and shouldn't be given any less than that. And though he will try to be the one to give that to her, he hopes that he either teaches her to never accept anything less or that the next guy gives her just that.

After a moment of silence, Bella raises her eyes to see Hale's storm of emotions all compact in tiny irises. His lips are pressed into a fine line, his jaw ticking. She chews her lip, watching his chest rise and fall in a steady pattern.

"You deserve so much better than him," Hale finally breaks the silence. Bella opens her mouth to protest, but he keeps going. "And if the stars align, if our cards are dealt in just the right sequence," He pauses.

What he was thinking, what he was feeling, it was like a tide wave hit him all of a sudden. Almost as if the clouds parted and cast Bella in a heavenly light. She was his light source in a dark tunnel. His end and beginning. He should be scared by how strongly he wants to love and protect this girl in front of him. He's only known her for over two months. But some how the time doesn't seem to matter. It doesn't apply in their case.

"I'm willing to try and meet your worth." Hale sighs, unclenching his hand to hold hers on the table between them. "What happened to you, will never happen again. Not with me, not with anyone else."

Bella's chest fills as though it might burst from how hard her heart is pounding as Hale squeezes her hand lightly. "Because now only will I love you, but I will teach you what love is, you'll never accept anything less. I promise."

👶

At home, Bella runs into Jason, who spends most of his time out of the house, either at the shack or at work. He's sitting on the couch, in his shorts and an old t-shirt. Bella notes the new hair cut and a man bun. Sometimes she wonders why her brother hasn't found anyone to be with. But then she reminds herself that he's Jason. A lone wolf. He's always operated that way. Sure he had his far share of flings, but it never amounted to anything because Jason just doesn't know how to open up to people.